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Nehimba Lodge
Nehimba Lodge
Nehimba Lodge
Nehimba Lodge
Nehimba Lodge
Nehimba Lodge
Nehimba Lodge
Nehimba Lodge

About Nehimba Lodge

Set within mopane woodland overlooking a large waterhole, Nehimba Lodge occupies a private concession to ...

... the north-west of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park. From here, you can explore this isolated area with a guide, either by vehicle or on foot.

A high-quality operation in Hwange National Park, Nehimba offers fantastic value for money in a wildlife-rich, remote area of the park, especially when combined with its sister camps. The accommodation is comfortable, and the lodge offers a perfect base from which to explore the park, or to relax and let the wildlife come to you in the dry season.

Our view

A high-quality operation in Hwange National Park, Nehimba offers fantastic value for money in a wildlife-rich, remote area of the park, especially when combined with its sister camps. The accommodation is comfortable, and the lodge offers a perfect base from which to explore the park, or to relax and let the wildlife come to you in the dry season.

Tracy Lederer

Tracy Lederer

Zimbabwe expert

Accommodation

9 thatched chalets

Children

Best for 12+

Open

March to December

Activities

4WD Safari

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Guided walking safari

Guided walking safari

Night drive

Night drive

Private activities

Private activities

Traveller reviews of Nehimba Lodge

8 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


98%
8 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
7
Good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Caro GfromUnited Kingdom

Arrived 29 Sep 2023, 3 nights

"Nehimba Lodge Elephant paradise"

"Nehimba was amazing. …" Read Caro G’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mrs & Mr JfromBirmingham

Arrived 21 Sep 2019, 3 nights

"Great elephant experience"

"Dinner enjoyed while watching elephants drink the swimming pool dry …" Read Mrs & Mr J’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Colobus MonkeysfromUK

Arrived 24 Jul 2019, 4 nights

"Comfortable lodge inattractive setting"

"very comfortable... attractive setting... …" Read Colobus Monkeys’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Mr & Mrs WfromScotland

Arrived 13 Nov 2018, 3 nights

"Fantastic Nehimba"

"Nehimba is right up there as one of the best... very personal service …" Read Mr & Mrs W’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr M.fromRamsgate

Arrived 13 Sep 2018, 2 nights

"Nehimba Lodge review"

"A high-light was the visit by elephants coming to drink at the water-hole …" Read Mr M.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Dr TfromSuffolk

Arrived 25 Oct 2017, 3 nights

"Full of rustic charm in a wilderness setting"

"Elephants everywhere and had some wonderful close encounters. …" Read Dr T’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Ms Mfromisleworth

Arrived 21 Sep 2017, 3 nights

"Something special"

"This was a really special place - the location in Hwange is perfect …" Read Ms M’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mrs MfromLuxembourg

Arrived 25 Aug 2016, 3 nights

"A once in a lifetime experience"

"My friends and I spent 3 nights a Nehimba and left with impressions that will …" Read Mrs M’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Nehimba Lodge reviews

Nehimba Lodge: Our full report

Set within mopane woodland overlooking a large waterhole, Nehimba Lodge occupies a private concession to ...

... the north-west of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park. From here, you can explore this isolated area with a guide, either by vehicle or on foot.

Originally privately owned under the same name, Nehimba is now owned and run by one of Zimbabwe's fastest-growing safari companies, Imvelo Safari Lodges. In addition to a couple of properties in Victoria Falls, Nehimba has three sister camps in or around Hwange National Park: Bomani Tented Lodge, Camelthorn and Jozibanini.

Central to Nehimba is a thatched main area, an L-shaped open-fronted building that looks out over the waterhole. Here you'll find an open plan bar and a couple of comfortable lounge areas, as well as a large dining table where meals are normally taken as a group.

A few steps lead you down to a sundeck, and below that to a sparkling swimming pool that brings welcome relief during the hot summer months. It’s not just guests who benefit: the local elephant population much prefers drinking the clean water in the pool to that found in the waterhole just a few metres away. In fact, during the dry season the elephants make such frequent use of the pool that it is all but off limits to guests – but that’s a small price to pay for such close and reliable encounters. When we dropped in for lunch in November 2017 we were joined by at least seven elephants drinking from the pool, and a constant procession of them coming and going from the waterhole beyond.

Nehimba Lodge has nine thatched chalets raised on stilts, four on one side of the main area, and three on the other, but all with views over the waterhole. All – including two two-bedroom family suites and a honeymoon suite – have half canvas, half wooden walls and glass windows, giving a more solid feel than at a traditional tented camp. Inside you’ll find twin or double beds, along with a fan, tea-making facilities and a Nespresso machine.

The en-suite bathrooms boast a high-backed bath and an outdoor (but no indoor) shower, as well as a washbasin and toilet, storage unit, and a couple of cosy robes.

The game viewing in this region of Hwange National Park is superb during the dry season (June–October), when you can see some fantastic wildlife, as well as the elephants lion, cheetah and sable are known to frequent the area around the lodge. As one of the only reliable water sources for miles around, it attracts plenty of animals, such that the area around the lodge was fairly bleak when we visited, due to elephant damage.

Game drives and walking safaris offer more active ways to see the wildlife and explore the area, and a chance to visit Nehimba's own hide, as well as local attractions such as the Nehimba Seep, Mandavu Dam and the Mtoa Ruins. Walking safaris are conducted with one of Zimbabwe’s professional guides, who is resident here, offering the exciting opportunity to approach wildlife on foot, and learn basic tracking skills. Game drives are conducted either by the the same guide, or by one of the camp's learner guides. Don't let the tag “learner” fool you, though; Zimbabwe's learners are as good as, and often better than, many fully qualified guides elsewhere in southern and eastern Africa.

Geographics

Location
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Ideal length of stay
We'd recommend a stay of three nights at Nehimba.
Directions
Nehimba can be accessed by road in a 3–4-hour transfer from Victoria Falls. Alternatively, a transfer by light aircraft will take around 45 minutes from Victoria Falls, followed by a 1–1½-hour game drive from Hwange Main Camp to the lodge.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board & Activities
Food quality
We’ve always found the food here to be of a high standard as we have come to expect from all Imvelo properties. Although we didn’t stay at the lodge on our most recent visit, in November 2017, we did have time to enjoy lunch.

For breakfast guests can choose from a selection of cereal, fruit, cold meat and cheese, as well as freshly baked bread and muffins. Hot breakfasts can also be cooked to order.

At lunch, in the company of several of Hwange’s elephants, we enjoyed a very tasty chicken curry served in a poppadum, with rice and an Asian slaw.

Dinner is usually a delicious three-course meal. On a previous visit we had butternut ravioli to start, followed by roast pork with sweet potato gratin and vegetables, and peach pudding for dessert.
Dining style
Mixture of group dining and individual tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Private dinners can sometimes be arranged on request.
Drinks included
Bottled water, soft drinks, local beers and spirits, and a selection of South African red and white wines are included. Champagne and imported wines and spirits will cost extra and may need to be requested in advance.

Children

Attitude towards children
The lodge does not accept children under the age of seven.
Property’s age restrictions
Nehimba accepts children of seven years and older.
Special activities & services
None
Equipment
Nehimba has two two-bedroom family chalets, and a swimming pool.
Generally recommended for children
Nehimba caters well to family groups, but it has a fairly mature atmosphere, with a strong emphasis on safari, so we would recommend it for older, relatively mature children.
Notes
The camp is unfenced and is frequently visited by large, wild animals, so children need to be closely supervised by a parent or guardian.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Nehimba Lodge

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Nehimba Lodge have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Buffalo

100% success

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

100% success

Hippo

100% success

Lion

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Roan antelope

80% success

Spotted Hyena

60% success

Eland

40% success

Sable antelope

40% success

Brown Hyena

25% success

Wild dog

20% success

Aardvark

0% success

Black Rhino

0% success

Cheetah

0% success

Leopard

0% success

Oryx

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Wildebeest

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes
The generator runs from an hour before guests wake up until 10.00am, and later in the day from 4.00pm until everyone has gone to bed.
Communications
There is free WiFi throughout the lodge.
TV & radio
There is no TV or radio in camp.
Water supply
Borehole
Water supply notes
Each chalet at Nehimba has an ample supply of water. The showers are plumbed and there are flushing toilets.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
There is a first aid kit on site and the guides are first aid trained. There is a doctor at Hwange Main Camp or Hwange Town.
Dangerous animals
High Risk
Security measures
After sunset, guests are accompanied to and from their tents by a guide.
Fire safety
There are fire extinguishers and buckets of sand around camp.

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Guided walking safari

    Guided walking safari

  • Night drive

    Night drive

  • Private activities

    Private activities

Extras

Disabled access
Not Possible
Laundry facilities
Included (even delicates which often have to be hand washed by travellers in Zimbabwe).
Money
There are electronic safes in the chalets.
Accepted payment on location
Everything is included during your stay at Nehimba so there is no need to pay for anything at the lodge – and thus no card or cash payment facilities.

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Nehimba Lodge's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Nehimba Lodge.


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When to go to Hwange National Park

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Nehimba Lodge in Hwange National Park


Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Zimbabwe in January

January falls in the middle of Zimbabwe’s rainy season and is the wettest month of the year. Heavy rainfall occurs most days, flooding seasonal rivers and waterholes, with the occasional sunny spell.
With the high levels of precipitation the wildlife in the national parks becomes widely dispersed, taking advantage of the abundance of food and water, and is easily hidden by the thick, green bush.

While sightings of larger animals are possible, and many species drop their young at this time, game viewing is often sparse. However, many migratory species of bird arrive in Zimbabwe making it a peak month for birding.

The rains create incredibly sticky mud in Mana Pools National Park, preventing access and causing camps to close for the season. The majority of the camps in other parks remain open, with low rates attracting a smattering of visitors.

  • Peak of the rainy season: hot & humid with heavy rain most days
  • Bush exceptionally thick and green, with poor game viewing
  • Species such as impala drop their young
  • All camps in Mana Pools closed
  • Very few visitors, and low rates at open camps

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in January

Zimbabwe in February

February remains well within Zimbabwe’s rainy season. Although total rainfall drops, relatively short thunderstorms can still be expected most afternoons. On the plus side, there is a greater chance of some sunshine in-between.

Much of the country remains waterlogged, closing access to Mana Pools and severely restricting walking safaris in other parks. While game drives and canoeing remain an option, the abundance of water disperses animals, and thick grass can make it difficult to spot larger species, but birding remains excellent. Conversely, this is a great time of year to view the landscape, and is excellent for photographers. Sporadic cloud cover and clear air can make for some spectacular sunsets too, particularly over Lake Kariba and the Zambezi River where the reflections off the water add to the beauty.

  • Generally wet with frequent thunderstorms & hot humid days
  • Poor wildlife viewing due to dispersed animals & thick bush
  • Clear air, green landscapes & exceptional sunsets
  • All camps in Mana Pools closed
  • Very few visitors & low rates at camps that are open

Our view

This is not a great time to visit

Weather in February

Zimbabwe in March

March is the final month of Zimbabwe’s rainy season, when the rains start to trail off and sunny days become the norm. However, some days the clouds can still build, breaking into thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Mana Pools remains closed throughout the month but the majority of camps in Hwange, Matusadona and Gonarezhou remain open. Here, the landscape is green and alive, with migrant species of birds taking advantage of the abundant insect life. Larger animals remain elusive though, and walking safaris remain restricted.

By this time of year, the rains have normally trickled down to the Zambezi River and the flow of water over the Victoria Falls starts to increase, but without kicking up too much spray to obscure the views.

  • Last month of the rainy season: hot, humid days with occasional storms
  • Lush vegetation means good birding, but poor game viewing
  • Views of the Victoria Falls improve
  • All camps in Mana Pools closed
  • Open camps have few visitors & low rates

Our view

This is not a great time to visit

Weather in March

Zimbabwe in April

April marks the end of Zimbabwe’s rainy season and the end of summer. Clear skies are the norm, with just the occasional shower. Temperatures start to drop, failing to reach 30ºC most days and dropping down to around 10ºC at night.

As the rain fades the landscape starts to dry out. While the vegetation remains thick and green, the soil in Mana Pools dries enough for camps to open, and the only camps to remain closed are the most remote bushcamps in Hwange. Although viewing of larger animals remains tricky, the improved weather starts to draw back visitors, as do prices significantly below those in the peak season.

The Zambezi River and flow of water over the Victoria Falls is at its highest, although large amounts of spray diminish views of the waterfall itself.

  • Transitional period, with much lower rainfall & falling temperatures
  • Wildlife is still dispersed & hard to see, but sightings improving
  • Views of the Victoria Falls often obscured by spray
  • Camps in Mana Pools open
  • Visitors start to return & camps increase their rates

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in April

Zimbabwe in May

The first month in the dry season, May is also Zimbabwe’s first month of winter. If the rains are particularly late in a given year, you may catch the odd shower, but you can expect clear and sunny days the majority of the time. While it’s warm in the daytime, temperatures drop to single digits at night, so bring a warm jumper and gloves for early morning drives.

With the rain having cleared the air, the sky is bright blue, and it’s the best time of year for photography.

Even the most remote camps in Zimbabwe are now open. With the lack of rainfall, vegetation dies back significantly, and seasonal rivers return to sand. Not only does this open up the possibility of walking safaris, but wildlife viewing becomes much more reliable.

  • Start of the dry season, with milder days and cold nights
  • Game viewing significantly improves as vegetation dies back
  • Vegetation starts to turn from green to brown
  • Best time for photography with crystal clear air
  • Visitors start to return; all camps open & rates increasing

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in May

Zimbabwe in June

During June you can virtually be guaranteed of dry and sunny days, although temperatures continue to drop, and can get close to freezing at night in Hwange National Park. Jumpers, jackets and gloves are strongly recommended for early mornings and evenings.

The opportunities for wildlife viewing improve throughout the month as the landscape rapidly dries, and the animals start to gather on the banks of the Zambezi River and around Hwange’s waterholes.

Water levels in the Zambezi River start to drop, reducing the amount of spray kicked up at the Victoria Falls and greatly improving visibility, but still allowing a full curtain of water to cascade over the edge.

  • Middle of winter, with night-time temperatures close to freezing
  • Game viewing significantly improves throughout the month
  • Views of the Victoria Falls are at their best
  • Noticeable increase in visitor numbers
  • Camps considerably more expensive

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in June

Zimbabwe in July

July sits in the middle of Zimbabwe’s dry season. Although it’s warm at midday, temperatures are generally cold and in Hwange it’s been known to drop below freezing at night, with the lower-altitude Mana Pools feeling a bit warmer.

With wildlife clustering around the few remaining waterholes, sparse vegetation, and some of the best views of the Victoria Falls, this is one of the most popular times to travel, with camps charging peak season rates to reflect this. That said, visitor numbers to the country in general remain low, and outside of the Victoria Falls it’s rare for any areas to feel crowded.

  • Middle of the dry season with almost no chance of rain
  • Clear sunny days, but very cold nights
  • Wildlife viewing good; game drives and walking safaris unrestricted
  • Views of the Victoria Falls at their best
  • Camps charging peak season rates

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in July

Zimbabwe in August

While August is the end of winter and temperatures are starting to creep up, mornings and nights are still cold, and game drives in open vehicles can feel particularly chilly. Well into the dry season, the landscapes will have mostly transformed from green to brown and wildlife viewing in Zimbabwe’s national parks is approaching its best. Due to dust kicked up into the atmosphere and smoke from bush fires you may start to notice a haze on the horizon, but this doesn’t significantly impact photography.

August is one of the most expensive months, and the pleasant weather and decent game viewing attracts lots of visitors. While the national parks rarely feel crowded, Victoria Falls accommodation can sell out a year in advance.

  • Warm, sunny days but cold mornings & nights; almost no chance of rain
  • Wildlife viewing nearly at its best
  • Landscape turns brown, & an atmospheric haze develops
  • All camps charging peak season rates

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in August

Zimbabwe in September

Temperatures in September rarely drop below 15ºC, but are yet to reach the oppressive highs of summer. It will normally have been five months since the last drop of rain, so antelope and elephants cluster around whatever water remains, with predators never too far away.

The landscape is very brown, and the haze building on the horizon takes some of the colour out of the sky, so while animal subjects are plentiful, the background is not ideal for photography.

The combination of incredible wildlife viewing, hot and sunny weather, and cheaper flights outside of the school holidays make this the most popular time of year to travel, and availability at the camps can become limited up to a year in advance.

  • The best month for weather, with a pleasantly warm temperature range
  • One of the best months for game viewing
  • Victoria Falls starting to dry but still impressive on Zimbabwean side
  • All camps are charging peak season rates
  • Most popular time to travel, & space can be limited

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in September

Zimbabwe in October

October is the last month of the dry season with little chance of rain but building humidity. While the higher elevation of Hwange National Park limits temperatures to the 30s Celsius, they can easily top 40ºC in Mana Pools.

With little vegetation or water, wildlife is drawn to the few remaining water sources and viewing is at its best; visitors who brave the heat can be rewarded with some exceptional sightings, although haze in the air diminishes photos. Maximum visibility and dense wildlife concentrations can also make for very rewarding walking safaris, although the heat can make them uncomfortable.

Water levels in the Zambezi at the Victoria Falls drop significantly, and large stretches of the waterfall are a dry cliff-face – although it never dries completely. Camp rates remain at their peak, but visitor numbers drop as people avoid the heat.

  • Last month of the dry season; very hot with building humidity
  • Wildlife viewing at its very best
  • Dust & smoke in the air diminish photographic opportunities
  • Victoria Falls starting to look very dry
  • Camp rates remain at their peak

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in October

Zimbabwe in November

November is a transitionary period, with high temperatures and humidity. While they can’t be predicted with any precision, the first rains normally arrive halfway through the month, in the form of thunderstorms lasting a few hours each day.

Early November is a popular time to travel as the camps drop their rates, so if you’re lucky you can get peak-season game viewing at low-season rates. This is a gamble though as if the rains do arrive, animals are no longer limited to a few dangerous waterholes and will disperse into the bush. While all the camps in Mana Pools intend to remain open, the rains can make the airstrips unusable so you may find yourself moved to a different park, a risk that increases through the month.

  • Typically the start of the rains in Zimbabwe
  • Temperatures & humidity levels remain high
  • Wildlife viewing rapidly diminishes as the rains arrive
  • Camps remain open, but risk early closure in Mana Pools
  • Much cheaper time to travel as camps drop their rates

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in November

Zimbabwe in December

By December the rainy season has begun in earnest; this is one of the wettest months in Zimbabwe, with heavy thunderstorms most afternoons and occasionally continuous rain for a couple of days. While temperatures start to cool down the high levels of humidity can make the heat feel more oppressive.

With the rains comes an explosion of green growth, and the dust and smoke are washed out of the air. The resulting scenery – with the occasional bright blue skies – can be fantastic for photographers. Thick vegetation and plentiful water makes viewing of larger animals tricky, but with migratory species arriving the birding is at its best.

All camps in Mana Pools and the remote Hwange camps close, with those remaining open charging their lowest rates.

  • One of the wettest months in Zimbabwe
  • High temperatures & levels of humidity
  • Wildlife viewing poor, but birding good
  • Lush green landscapes & clear air; great for landscape photography
  • All camps in Mana Pools closed

Our view

This is not a great time to visit

Weather in December

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