Reviews of Somalisa Camp

"Perfect safari camp on the luxury end yet retaining a sense of wilderness.

Guiding was on the highest level experienced in Southern Africa and that says a lot.
The lodge staff was extremely friendly and exuded a fun, team-spirited atmosphere which can only come from great leadership.

We would return tomorrow if we could." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe

"Excellent experience all around.

Impressed with the charitable foundation's work." See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe; 5n in Botswana; 2n in Namibia

"By far, our favourite camp of our entire trip! We were greeted off our plane by the amazing Guide, Mike T. We were treated like family from the moment we met. So many laughs and memorable moments in Mike's company. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the animals, the flora, and history. We will never forget our time with Mike. Carol joined us as a training guide and she was a joy. Animal sightings, particularly our time in the Hide near the watering hole watching elephants drink and interact, were incredible moments we will always remember. Lions by the watering hole at sunrise gave us our best trip photos ... so special.

Uncle Richard greeted us to camp as if we were returning guests and great friends. He and his entire team made us feel welcomed and cherished for our entire stay. Our rooms were generous in size, and very comfortable. This camp provided guests with walkie talkies in case of emergency. This was the only camp that did this and it gave a great sense of security. If possible, all camps should have these ... it was a comfort to have someone "on call" if we needed help for anything. Fireplace lit for us at bedtime was an extra special touch.

The main areas, lounge, pool, decks were wonderful. Backgammon and jenga available in the lounge was a nice touch. Lots of books around to read. Felt very homely. Sitting on the deck watching the elephants and antelope drink from the watering hole and the small "pool" deck side will be a special memory always.

Attention to detail by staff, particularly at mealtimes, was excellent. Noting that one of us didn't like raw onions in our salad and the next day salad arrived minus the onions. Nothing said, but noted by staff and acted on ... great service. Noe seemed to be tuned in to everything we might need! Thank you Noe!

Two special meal memories ... make your own pizza - cooked to order in the wood burner oven. And, best of all, build your own stir fry cooked over the fire. Amazing! Great menu varieties at Somalisa." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 5n in Zimbabwe; 4n in Namibia; 1n in South Africa

"After October 2021, this was our second visit to this camp, and we don’t regret it for one second. Also, we were very pleased that we ended up with the same guide as in 2021, Dophas, who is just phenomenal.

The three days at Somalisa were really memorable. As can be expected in Hwange, there were lots and lots of elephants gathering at the numerous waterholes.

Furthermore, it’s also worth mentioning that this was the only camp where we saw a pack of wild dogs, on the first morning game drive. During the same outing we saw a huge herd of cape buffaloes.

Most importantly, this was the first camp where we had several unforgettable encounters with a pride of 11 lions that is made up of descendants of Cecil, the lion that was killed by an American trophy hunter in 2015. I would also like to emphasize that Dophas anticipated correctly where the lions were going to be, and he parked our vehicle in the right spots to get the best possible angles for photography.

I took more photographs here than in any other camp on this trip, and the lion photos I could take with the help of Dophas easily made my best-of collection.

Needless to say that we would love to return here for a third time, possibly in 2026." See all these reviews: 12n in Zimbabwe; 11n in Botswana

"Somalisa is a very attractive and extremely well run camp, loved our “tent” with the copper bath and outside shower. We had a brilliant view of the camps waterhole from our deck ( number 4?)
We were travelling with friends, one of whom had asked to see elephants… well I should think it is the place for that. Herds are constantly approaching the camp to drink, along with other animals. It’s a very special experience.
Lions were very close throughout our time there, there was a kill nearby and 2 lionesses walked through camp one morning.
Food was excellent, we enjoyed the communal dining experience and chatting to other guests.
Guiding was excellent and responsive,
Thought the staff here were exceptional, and it has a very joyful feeling." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe

"My wife wanted to see Elephants in the wild, wow this was Elephant watching on another level.
I will remember always the incredible welcome as we arrived, the Gin and Tonic placed in my hand, then sitting on a sun bed watching families of Elephants drinking right next to us.
The camp was amazing, the people incredible and the food, drink and activities sensational." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe

"A very well run ABC camp with comfortable tents, good food and very friendly staff.

A special mention should be made about our guide Mike who is a larger than life character with a seemingly inexhaustible knowledge of the bush and a wicked sense of humour.

This is the park to come to if you are a fan of elephants - we have never seen so many and I would estimate that we saw literally hundreds every day !

Just a small point on the tents - we were in Tent 5 and when the wind got up, the noise from the guy ropes and stanchions was deafening and kept us awake - structural issue ??" See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe

"Travel intention: 9th trip to africa, looking for unique safari experience throughout Africa in a comfortable to luxurious Setting

Facilities: Located in an isolated area of the Huangwe park, you can fully emerge into the bush feeling you are looking for (no cell phone connection or WIFI). You have a nice overview on the surrounding plains both from your tent and the central area. The central area has a small pool and a nicely arranged shaded area overviewing the water hole where you can relax during lunch break. Very nice rooms with comfortable bed and both an indoor and outdoor shower, as well a stylish copper bath tub.

Service: Excellent food and drinks, attentive service. After being ripped open by baboons while we were away (fortunately, they just made a bit of a mess and obviously slept on the bed, but didn’t steal anything), the fly-net surrounding our tent was repaired immediately. We visited three camps from African Bush Camps during our trip. What sets these camps apart from other sites we have visited before: The common rule is that dinners are taken at a large table together with camp manager + one staff member. Thereby, you interact both more with other guests, as well as get to talk with local Zimbabwe guys enabling lots of interesting conversation.

Experience: Excellent location within Hwange park giving a representative feeling of its nature and animals. You will meet only few other vehicles during your game drive (due to Somalisa Camp having its own concession area and a limited numbers of visitors in the vast area of Huangwe). Huangwe is basically the most eastern part of the Kalahari desert therefore being unaible to sustain large numbers of permanent game. This was overcome early by drilling (now half solar/half diesel generator driven) artificial waterholes which provide the necessary waterholes to sustain abundant wild life. Unfortunately, the impact of the 2019 drought in combination with an overpopulation of elephants in the park were clearly visible as we saw a number of very thin and regularly also dead elephants, as well as many destroyed trees/bushes where even the roots were digged out. Our guide was Bee. Special sightings: Elephants (of course), Lion pack (descendants of Cecil) with several cubs playing around and one time gathering to go hunting in the evening (unfortunately it got dark and we had to stop following). Cheetah mother + son seen twice. Abundant roan antilope (rarely seen on other trips so far). Spring hares, african wild cat and nightjars during night drives. Numerous smaller and also larger birds (secretary bird, grounded and other hornbills, Kori bustard…)

Overall: Luxury bush-feeling camp with a limited number of the opportunity for great game drive experiences. Excellent camp management by Roland (always joyful and observant camp manager)." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe

"Somalisa is a very attractive, tented camp with it's own water hole. The tents are actually luxury, tented rooms on a wooden base which have all the comfort of normal rooms. The camp is very eco-friendly, with solar lighting and water heating and use of grey water to top up the water hole.

The staff were friendly and food good, with an interesting take on 'do it yourself' wood fired pizzas and stir fries (you choose the ingredients and it is cooked for you). The camp supports local charitable initiatives and has a craft shop which profits the charity.

The guiding was excellent, especially if you ask the guides to show you everything, not just big cats.

Somalisa did seem to attract a different clientele from Hwange Bush Camp and Amalinda - older and more conservative and content to be drive around looking just for big cats; they missed out on a lot." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe

"At first the number of staff seemed quite overwhelming but they were absolutely great and all came to introduce themselves to us as they came on duty, what's more they remembered our names.

The tents are very spacious with seating area, desk space and large bathroom and very large balcony with sofa, chairs and table and hammock. We were in tent 4 which is the nearest to the water hole, so we were able to watch the animals there as well as the comings and goings.

The food was excellent with a little DIY for stir fry and pizza. Breakfast by the fire was also great. Another bonus was the 5.30 delivery of a pot of coffee with our wake up call.

Game viewing was good - so many elephants swell as Cecil's daughters and grandchildren." See all these reviews: 13n in Zimbabwe