Reviews of The Hide
Wildlife sightings and reviews
39 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
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"Deserves its high reputation"
One night the security guard knocked on our door to tell us to come out and get a glimpse of three honey badgers that were drinking from a water bowl next-door. We thought that was extremely thoughtful of him and seeing those honey badgers was a highlight.
We liked our guide, Fortune, who, among other things, got us the best cheetah sighting we have had in five trips to Africa." See all these reviews: 8n in Zimbabwe
"High marks for The Hide"
The Hide is an extremely well managed camp, one of the best in our experience. Meals are high quality with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables: we especially liked the fact that one evening the main course was traditional Zambian fare. The bar is well-stocked. The rooms are comfortable and the communal areas a delight, looking out onto a waterhole which attracts a wide range of animals. The highlight is the hide itself which puts one (underground) just feet away from elephants coming to drink.
There is a three activities per day rhythm to the camp (unusual in our experience), with a morning post-breakfast drive, an afternoon drive or walk and a post-dinner night drive on The Hide's concession. We found this balance to be very appealing.
Our guide, Ngozi, was excellent, personable and with a nice (again unusual) touch of stopping the vehicle and getting out of his seat to turn to his passengers when he had something important/lengthy to say about what we were seeing. He also was able to balance nicely the different interests among his passengers.
We were lucky enough to have good lion sightings on our first two days (including Jericho, former comrade-in-arms of the more well-known Cecil); super elephant and buffalo; serval, black-backed jackal, lesser genet and a whole host of herbivores. Best of all, perhaps, an aardvark. We also logged 84 bird species even though we diluted our usual birding focus for this trip: these included Secretary Bird, Kori Bustard, Ground-Hornbill, Ostrich with chicks, Pearl-spotted Owlet and a range of smaller raptors.
We can thoroughly recommend the Hide to first-time and experienced safari-goers alike." See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe
"The Hide review"
A very well run operation with good flexibility in offering choice to guests. They have two hides for close encounters with the wildlife. A big feature is a large pan in front of the main facilities which brings the wildlife almost into your room.
Having experienced many lodges and camps over many trips to Africa this pan with its size and location is probably the best front door waterhole/pan view we have come across. We visited at a good time of year when the wildlife was having to use the watering facilities as there had not been rain for several months and so there were only a few locations available for drinking. There will be times of the year when the availability of more natural water holes appear after rainfall and the game will stretch out over a wider area.
Rooms are typical of many camps.
Food is varied and of a good standard. (See also our previous comments on Kaingo Camp) .
Whilst The Hide has some "concessionary territory" where it can go off road much of the daily trips on the game drives is in the National Park area and there are restrictions on how much it is possible to stray away from the main tracks.
Nevertheless game viewing opportunities were good at this time of year." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe; 7n in Zambia
"The Hide review"
The camp is adjacent to the Vic. Falls - Bulawayo railway line. Heard trains early each morning.
Disappointing lack of predators at time of visit." See all these reviews: 15n in Zimbabwe
"The Hide review"
There is a train track along the boundary of the Hide's concession so you don't feel quite as isolated and away from civilisation as you might do in other camps.
Our guide Nicholas was great - very knowledgeable and fun to spend time with. The night drives were a lot of fun too and gave us a chance to see some of the nocturnal creatures.
Staff were friendly, food was very good.
Tents are comfortable, with both indoor and outdoor showers.
It's lovely to watch animals come to drink at the waterhole right outside your accommodation. Being able to watch the elephants from the underground hide was an amazing experience - drinking water only a few metres away from you." See all these reviews: 6n in Zimbabwe
"The Hide review"
As with Changa, we had a first class guide, Daffie. Although it was the wet season (in fact not very wet this year) there were plenty of animals, and again beautiful birds, in evidence. Many elephants came to The Hide's water hole on two of our three evenings (the third one being a full moon night, and not many animals were seen altogether). Other memorable encounters which we had were one and a half hours spent with two male lions one afternoon, observing a cape buffalo from close up, and successfully tracking down a cheetah and her juvenile offspring.
Wonderful! Also, The Hide's underground observation room, about 50 yards away from the main building made for a unique, albeit very safe, close encounter with a male elephant bull - an experience we shall never forget." See all these reviews: 9n in Zimbabwe
"Painted Dogs at the hidd"
In 1 memorable morning we saw a pack of 17 wild dogs, 250 buffallo, and 100 Elephants; all from the Hide it'self." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe
"The Hide review"
Family of 5 and stayed at Tom’s Little Hide....loved it !!" See all these reviews: 5n in Mozambique; 5n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
"The Hide review"
The service and attention we had could not be faulted.
The game viewing was well planned and varied the guide knowledgeable and helpful.
Food is good and plentiful and surprisingly varied you don't go hungry.
One of the few places we would go back to our stay was too short!
I saw all the game I expected even a glimpse of the wild/coloured dogs." See all these reviews: 7n in Zimbabwe; 2n in Zambia
"Amazing Safari at the Hide"
The service was 5 star. Ian and Leanne took excellent care of all our needs, large and small. They really went above and beyond to make our stay enjoyable. They also have daily laundry included and an area for wifi.
The food was amazing, the best we had in Africa by far. We had private dinning in Tom's Little Hide, the dining room was great, they served breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, whatever we wanted. We also really enjoyed having dinner at main camp with everyone else. It was so nice to chat with the others and have a social evening.
Our guide, Mark Friend, was just incredible. He is so knowledgable about everything in the bush, from the smallest plant life to the largest animals (and how to handle a herd of buffalo standing a few feet from the jeep!). He is also very kind, funny and accommodating to all of our questions and needs (and there were many from the 6 of us!). We went on early morning hikes, late night drives, and everything in between. We saw so many amazing animals and enjoyed drinks and snacks at the watering hole at sunset with herds of zebra, giraffe and elephants. It was just beautiful.
They really take safety seriously and we appreciate that.
We want to come back to Zimbabwe just to go to the Hide - but for a longer stay next time." See all these reviews: 5n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Holiday styles & special interests in Zimbabwe
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Deteema Springs Camp
In the remote north-west of Hwange National Park, Deteema Springs is a well-designed but unpretentious tented camp that offers good service and excellent wildlife potential.
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.
