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Somalisa Acacia
Somalisa Acacia
Somalisa Acacia
Somalisa Acacia
Somalisa Acacia
Somalisa Acacia
Somalisa Acacia
Somalisa Acacia

About Somalisa Acacia

Somalisa Acacia is a luxury, family-focused camp set in a private concession, deep in the heart of Zimbabwe's ...

... Hwange National Park. With two family rooms and no age restrictions for children, it's a very convenient option within the park for families with younger children.

Somalisa Acacia is both luxurious and immaculately designed. It works very well for a comfortable stay in the middle of the bush for all ages, and we're delighted to see a camp in the area that specifically caters to families.

Our view

Somalisa Acacia is both luxurious and immaculately designed. It works very well for a comfortable stay in the middle of the bush for all ages, and we're delighted to see a camp in the area that specifically caters to families.

Lucy Copson

Lucy Copson

Zimbabwe expert

Accommodation

4 rooms

Children

Best for 7+

Open

All year

Activities

4WD Safari

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Guided walking safari

Guided walking safari

Night drive

Night drive

Private activities

Private activities

Traveller reviews of Somalisa Acacia

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


100%
4 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
4
Good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
T TfromBoise

Arrived 23 Jul 2021, 3 nights

"Somalisa Acacia review"

"No hot water for baths... All else was excellent, especially our guide Calvit. …" Read T T’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs MfromVictoria

Arrived 30 Nov 2019, 6 nights

"Can It Be Better than Somalisa Acacia?"

"we experienced our best ever lion encounters …" Read Mr & Mrs M’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mrs & Mr KfromFlorida

Arrived 26 Jun 2019, 3 nights

"Somalisa Acacia: Fantastic watering hole"

"I would return for that watering hole …" Read Mrs & Mr K’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs HfromLincs

Arrived 5 Sep 2018, 5 nights

"Brilliant Somalisa Acacia"

"Once again Somalisa, this time Acacia, was amazing. …" Read Mr & Mrs H’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Somalisa Acacia reviews

Safaris visiting Somalisa Acacia

Just ideas, we'll always tailor-make a trip for you


Map

Pied Kingfisher Safari

9 days • 3 locations • 1 country
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO HARARE AIRPORT

A luxury safari combining three of Zimbabwe's top highlights. The trip uses some of the finest safari camps in Zimbabwe and is perfect for a family or small group.

Visiting Victoria Falls, Hwange and 1 other area

US$8,470 - US$11,860 per person

Read more about the Pied Kingfisher Safari

Somalisa Acacia: Our full report

Somalisa Acacia is a luxury, family-focused camp set in a private concession, deep in the heart of Zimbabwe's ...

... Hwange National Park. With two family rooms and no age restrictions for children, it's a very convenient option within the park for families with younger children.

Somalisa Acacia is the sister property of Somalisa Camp, with both properties backing onto each other. The two are nearly identical in terms of construction, style and location, and if you were to walk between them you could easily be forgiven for thinking they were the same property. Yet both are run completely separately, each with its own kitchen, main area, camp managers and guides. The main difference comes down to atmosphere, with Somalisa Acacia being much more welcoming to families, especially with younger children.

Somalisa Acacia has just four tented rooms, two of them designed for families:

  • The two standard doubles are identical to those at Somalisa Camp, their solid wooden frames supporting the walls and roof of stretched sail canvas. Floor-to-ceiling gauze sliding doors make the most of the views, while letting in a cooling breeze and keeping insects out. Inside, the rooms – with a king-size bed or twins – are well appointed, with a cast-iron safe and traditional-style wood burner for colder nights adding an old-world character to an otherwise modern design. The en-suite bathrooms are equally well thought out, with twin basins, a large copper bath, separate shower and toilet, and an additional outdoor shower.
  • The two large family tents are formed from two en-suite tents linked by a short corridor. The master bedroom is the same as the standard double tents, with all the same features. In the second bedroom, which is a little smaller and is made up as a twin, the most noticeable difference is the lack of an outdoor shower. The family tents are also the closest to the main area so that guests and children don’t need to walk as far through the bush.
Although these are the only rooms at Somalisa Acacia itself, the proximity of Somalisa Camp allows a degree of flexibility, so each camp can accommodate larger groups if required.

The main area at Somalisa Acacia is open-sided, in order to take full advantage of the small waterhole in front of camp, and the frequent procession of buffalo, elephant, giraffe and even lion that come to drink here. Along with a smart open-plan lounge/dining area and a well-stocked bar, there’s also a small swimming pool here, perfect for cooling off in the hotter months of September and October. There is no curio shop at Acacia but it is only a short walk across to Somalisa Camp where you can browse through a surprisingly large range of clothes and souvenirs.

Families with children are assigned dedicated ‘child specialists’ to help look after and entertain them. These specialists offer childminding services and will often entertain younger family members in the middle of the day during siesta by making lunch (pizzas seem to be a favourite) or playing games, providing an often welcome break for parents.

Otherwise, activities from Somalisa Acacia are exactly the same as from Somalisa Camp – walking safaris and game drives – with highly qualified Zimbabwe professional guides. The guides themselves often switch between the two properties, but you will have a dedicated guide throughout your stay.

While game drives on the Somalisa concession and into the wider national park areas are accessible to all ages, walking in the national park is restricted to children aged 16 and over, as large animals are often approached on foot during such activities. For children under 16, nature walks around the camp give them the chance to learn about the smaller species in the bush, and to recognise different tracks and spoor.

Geographics

Location
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Ideal length of stay
A three- or four-night stay at Somalisa Acacia is ideal for most visitors, and this combines well with a stay in Victoria Falls town. Some visitors combine Somalisa Acacia with one or more of its sister camps, which include Nyamatusi Mahogany in Mana Pools, Bumi Hills Safari Lodge in Matusadona or Linyanti Tented Camp and Khwai Tented Camp in Botswana.
Directions
Somalisa Acacia can be reached by road from Victoria Falls. This fairly economical option takes about 3½ hours: 90 minutes on tarred road followed by about two hours on a game drive vehicle through Hwange National Park (though the second part of the journey may take longer, depending on what you see on route). Alternatively, fly into the nearby Manga airstrip, and then it's about a 30-minute game drive transfer to the camp.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board & Activities
Food quality
On our last visit to Somalisa Acacia in November 2017 we didn't have time to stop for a meal, but we would anticipate excellent food along similar lines to that at Somalisa Camp. That said, because Acacia is designed to be family friendly we would expect there to be a degree of flexibility in the menu and mealtimes.

Typically, menus at Somalisa Camp run along the following lines:

Breakfast will be the usual choice of cereals with fresh fruit and a selection of seeds, porridge with fruit compote, toast, muffins, cold meats and cheeses. A cooked breakfast including eggs, bacon and sausage is also available, cooked to order.

Served after your morning activity, lunch is usually a two-course set menu, perhaps something like chicken kebabs with tzatziki, marinated olives, roasted vegetables, couscous, roasted butter beans, green salad and freshly baked bread, followed by Eton mess.

Dinner is usually three courses. At Somalisa Camp we have enjoyed a starter of spicy butternut soup, followed by a perfectly cooked beef fillet on butternut purée and courgette rosti, served with butternut and potato crisps or salad. Dessert was a delicious pink grapefruit soufflé.
Dining style
Group Meals
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Private dinners are possible, with notice.
Drinks included
All drinks available at Acacia – beers, South African wines and soft drinks – are included, but note that drinks imported from outside Africa, such as champagne, are not stocked here.

As part of Somalisa Acacia's drive to be eco-friendly, each guest is given an aluminium water bottle to fill as needed with fresh filtered water, instead of using numerous plastic water bottles.

Special interests

Family holidays
With no age limit, child-friendly activities and private vehicles for families, the atmosphere at Somalisa Acacia is relaxed and family friendly making it a perfect destination for a family safari in Zimbabwe – especially for those who still want a touch of luxury.
See ideas for Family holidays in Zimbabwe
Wildlife safaris
Somalisa Acacia is in a wildlife rich area, with healthy populations of elephant, buffalo and lion. These and other species can be seen on walks and drives, as well as at the waterhole in front of camp, making for a varied wildlife safari in Zimbabwe.
See ideas for Wildlife safaris in Zimbabwe
Private villas & houses
Acacia is a standalone satellite camp to the adjacent Somalisa Camp. It is totally self-sufficient with separate guides and staff making it a great choice for families or groups looking for some privacy and flexibility.
See ideas for Private villas & houses in Zimbabwe
Luxury
Somalisa Acacia offers world-class accommodation and service whilst managing to retain an authentic bush-feel. Spacious tents with rustic-looking décor feature wood panelling and copper bathtubs.
See ideas for Luxury in Zimbabwe

Children

Attitude towards children
Somalisa Acacia does not have any age restrictions in camp, and is very welcoming towards families with children of all ages.
Property’s age restrictions
None
Special activities & services
Short nature walks around the vicinity of the camp are an interesting and engaging option for children under 16, who may not take part in the usual walking safaris.
Equipment
Highchairs and cots can be provided with advanced notice.
Generally recommended for children
Somalisa Acacia is one of the few camps in Hwange National Park to cater specifically towards families, and is one of the best options for children in the park. Although the camp doesn't have any specific age limits, activities are focussed very much on safari, and there is often large game within close proximity to the camp. Because of this we would only recommend Somalisa Acacia for children over the age of seven.
Notes
Somalisa Acacia is an open safari camp, deep in the bush, with dangerous big animals often passing through. The swimming pool in the camp is also unfenced. Children must be under parental supervision at all times.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Somalisa Acacia

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Somalisa Acacia 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

Lion

100% success

Roan antelope

100% success

Wildebeest

100% success

Zebra

100% success

Sable antelope

75% success

Cheetah

67% success

Leopard

67% success

Spotted Hyena

67% success

Wild dog

67% success

Eland

50% success

Hippo

50% success

Aardvark

0% success

Brown Hyena

0% success

Oryx

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes
The camp is run entirely on solar power farmed from impressively sized solar panels – the biggest of its kind seen at a safari camp. There is a back-up generator for the very rare occasions where this doesn't provide enough power. A strip of multi-national plug sockets is provided in each tent for charging batteries.
Communications
There is no cellphone signal or WiFi at Somalisa, but the camp can communicate by satellite phone in case of emergency.
TV & radio
No facilities available.
Water supply
Borehole
Water supply notes
Water from the borehole is filtered multiple times, and provides clean and fresh tasting drinking water.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
There is a basic first-aid kit on site with both managers and guides trained to use it. The nearest doctor is in Hwange Town, about two hours' drive away. A medical air rescue service (MARS) covering Hwange is available in the event of serious illness/injury.
Dangerous animals
High Risk
Security measures
Guests are accompanied to and from their tents after dark by a guide. Air horns are provided in each room to attract attention in case of emergency.
Fire safety
There is a fire extinguisher outside both the kitchen and each tent.

Activities

  • 4WD Safari

    4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Guided walking safari

    Guided walking safari

  • Night drive

    Night drive

  • Private activities

    Private activities

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
A complimentary laundry service is included, although for cultural reasons, women's underwear isn't accepted. Washing powder is provided for guests who wish to do hand wash these, and any delicate items, themselves.
Money
Each tent has a large safe in which to lock valuables.
Accepted payment on location
The camp accepts Visa and Mastercard, as well as cash payments in US dollars, British pounds and South African rand.

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Somalisa Acacia's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Somalisa Acacia.


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When to go to Hwange National Park

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Somalisa Acacia 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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  • Save your wish-list
  • Send us an enquiry
  • Pay online and manage your trip
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Give us feedback on your trip
  • Enhanced features

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Africa