Reviews of The Hide
Wildlife sightings and reviews
37 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited The Hide and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
100% success
33% success
33% success
50% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
91% success
91% success
80% success
67% success
56% success
14% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
"The Hide review"
The camp has a resident hippo at their waterhole and at night you can get an excellent view of the elephants drinking at the waterhole. Room was very spacious with outdoor shower and a great view from the deck.
Meals were well prepared with excellent presentation. Dinners are communal where you have opportunity to chat with other guests." See all these reviews: 8n in Zimbabwe; 3n in Botswana; 2n in Namibia
Buffalo
3 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
3 sightings
Hippo
4 sightings
Lion
5 sightings
Sable antelope
2 sightings
Wild dog
1 sighting
Wildebeest
2 sightings
Zebra
3 sightings
"The Hide review"
The tents may have been a little dated, but overall nice.
Internet only available in central office area." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Wild dog
1 sighting
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"The Hide review"
The waterhole with its resident hippo is a real plus. Staff were truly outstanding both in friendliness and in anticipating your needs.
My only quibble is that the outlets for charging devices were a little hard to reach, at least in my tent--on the other hand, the WiFi in the reception area was excellent.
I also enjoyed the variation of just having a quick coffee and rusk before setting out in the morning, and then the bush breakfast. (The chocolate almond horns were delicious!}" See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe
Elephant
3 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Hippo
3 sightings
Lion
5 sightings
Wildebeest
3 sightings
Zebra
4 sightings
"The Hide review"
Walk with lions nearby, quite a thrill" See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe; 2n in Zambia
Buffalo
1 sighting
Hippo
1 sighting
Lion
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"The Hide review"
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
6 sightings
Hippo
6 sightings
Lion
10 sightings
Roan antelope
4 sightings
Sable antelope
6 sightings
Wildebeest
1 sighting
Zebra
10 sightings
"The Hide review"
The staff went well above and beyond to ensure our stay was successful, including arranging a private dinner without needing to request it once they realised we were friends with other holiday makers.
(We had booked independently so this was unexpected!)" See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Roan antelope
Multiple sightings
Sable antelope
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"The Hide review"
The lodges were great, big comfy beds and piles of duvets and blankets (we needed them!), a bath looking over the bush outside and an outdoor shower with hot water. It was the perfect combination of comfort and living in the wild.
The game drives were great, starting at 6.30am after porridge, cereal and pancakes around the fire. Bundled into the Hide's ponchos for warmth we would head off to see everything we could hope for (apart from leopard and cheetah, but who cares about them?!), learning much along the way before stopping for hot chocolate and use of the facilities (bush!). Our guide was truly amazing, with years of experience as a park ranger and now a pro guide. He was patient and enthusiastic, funny and hugely knowledgeable, and did a great job at finding lots of game, including three lions playing the courting game, an amazing opportunity to experience animal behaviour first hand. Those over 16 did a walking safari with him and loved it, going slowly to talk about all the little things you don't see from a safari vehicle. His large gun was reassuring!
The main lodge was beautiful, complete with bushbabies hiding in the rafters and the hide was a brilliant idea. The elephant would arrive around dusk, processing past our lodges to the water hole, at which point we would bury down into the hide to watch from as close as possible, drink in hand. It was a privilege. Going back to our lodge after dark required an escort, just in case we bumped into something we wouldn't want to. An excellent reminder that we were in their territory...
I had been a little concerned about this place when I heard that you can hear the train....I did hear it, most nights, but the same can't be said for the whole family! What our kids in the next door tent did hear was the elephant, sometimes trumpeting, sometimes growl-roaring like lions and all sorts of other night time snuffling and squawks. Knowing that there is so much wildlife just outside the tent door makes the train in the distance utterly irrelevant!
We couldn't recommend the Hide enough, the staff went way above and beyond and it really was a wonderful experience." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Hippo
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Roan antelope
Multiple sightings
Wild dog
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"The Hide review"
Highlights were seeing three lion prides including one with a kill very close to camp, a large group of giraffes near Hwange's palm trees, and a forest walk in the midst of elephants.
The eponymous camp hide is exceptional, allowing you to be feet away from drinking elephants, one of whom walked right up to investigate us with its trunk.
The only slight disappointment was our sleep out at The Dove's Nest. This is an very well three story treehouse but we felt drop off at 9pm and pick up at 6am meant we didn't get enough time to truly appreciate the experience." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe
Buffalo
1 sighting
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
4 sightings
Hippo
1 sighting
Lion
4 sightings
Sable antelope
2 sightings
Wildebeest
5 sightings
Zebra
6 sightings
"Fabulous Safari at The Hide"
We dined quite well each day, beginning with delivery of coffee and tea to our tent at 5:15 each morning, then a good breakfast before heading out for our morning game drive, a mid-morning coffee break, lunch back at camp, afternoon tea before the afternoon game drive, stopping for sundowners, then a wonderful evening meal where all the guests could discuss their day. One of us being a vegetarian presented no problems whatsoever!
We loved that we had our same guide for our whole time at The Hide, from picking us up at Main Camp on arrival, all our game drives, and returning us to Main Camp when it was time to say goodbye. Innocent was absolutely wonderful!
The camp facilities were all very nice. Spending time down in the hide is a must. Our tent was comfortable and had everything we needed. Su, the manager, did a fabulous job with everything.
We definitely recommend a stay at The Hide!" See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe; 3n in South Africa
Cheetah
2 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Lion
3 sightings
Sable antelope
2 sightings
Wildebeest
6 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Comfortable. lots of animals excellen guides "
The feature is the actual "hides" - underground viewing areas very close to the waterhole - the main one connected by short tunnel to the lodge. Here you are within a couple of meters of elephants when they come to drink & bathe & also attracts many other animals (zebra, giraffe, baboons, wildebeest etc).
Game drives were frequent, ell run with plenty of animal sightings." See all these reviews: 4n in Botswana; 4n in Zimbabwe
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Hippo
1 sighting
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
1 sighting
Sable antelope
1 sighting
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
Holiday styles & special interests in Zimbabwe
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Zimbabwe.
Other lodges in Hwange National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Camp Hwange
Overlooking a waterhole in a remote part of Hwange National Park, Camp Hwange offers great guiding in a pristine wilderness at reasonable prices.
Somalisa Camp
Somalisa is a luxurious, yet remote, safari camp in Hwange National Park, offering walking safaris and game drives.
Hwange Bush Camp
Hwange Bush Camp is a small seasonal camp offering comfortable tents, great food, and superb guiding, and is often used by exclusive groups.
Little Makalolo Camp
Tucked away in Hwange National Park overlooking a waterhole, Little Makalolo Camp combines top guiding with excellent wildlife watching.
Somalisa Expeditions
A simple but stylish camp, Somalisa Expeditions sits in the heart of Hwange National Park, offering walking safaris and game drives.
Davison's Camp
Within the Linkwasha Concession, Davison's Camp offers superb value for money, morning walking safaris and spot-lit drives after dark.
Nehimba Lodge
Nehimba is a comfortable, good-value camp in a remote area of Hwange National Park, teeming with wildlife.
Bomani Tented Lodge
Bomani is a down-to-earth lodge with a range of activities in a remote region of western Zimbabwe, adjacent to Hwange National Park.
Verney's Camp
Verney's Camp is one of the newest offerings in Hwange, located in the wildlife rich, open landscape in the south-eastern section of the park.
Khulu Bush Camp
Just outside Hwange National Park, Khulu Bush Camp features a waterhole popular with wildlife, especially elephants and offers excellent value for money.
Jozibanini Camp
Remote and rugged, Jozibanini is one of the most remote camps in Zimabwe's largest National Park. Stay here for a real wilderness experience.
Ivory Lodge
Just outside Hwange National Park, the small Ivory Lodge is a great place to see large herds of elephant as well as smaller plains game.
Linkwasha Camp
In its own private concession within Hwange National Park, Linkwasha offers excellent wildlife sightings and luxurious surroundings.
Somalisa Acacia
Somalisa Acacia is a family-friendly, yet remote and luxurious safari camp in Hwange National Park.
Camelthorn
Camelthorn is a stylish lodge with a range of activities in a remote region of western Zimbabwe, adjacent to Hwange National Park.
Sable Valley Lodge
Set on the 12km Dete Vlei, the recently upgraded and family-friendly Sable Valley sits in a private reserve within easy reach of Hwange National Park.
Deteema Springs Camp
Nestled deep in Hwange National Parks rugged northern sector, Deteema Springs Camp promises visitors an authentic bush camp experience.
Daka Camp
One of the most remote camps in Hwange National Park, Daka Camp, like the smaller Daka Expeditions, sits almost on the border with Botswana.
Tum Tum
The Tum Tum Treehouses are due to open in late 2025. Details on this exciting development are still scarce, so watch this space.
Camp Chitubu
Nestled in the rugged north of Hwange National Park, the unpretentious yet comfortable Camp Chitubu has a strong focus on excellent guiding.
Khulu's Retreat
Just outside Hwange National Park, Khulu's Retreat is an exclusive private villa and is a great place to spoil yourself on a safari in Zimbabwe.
