Little Makalolo Camp

This is a small camp, and the main area maintains the high level of intimacy. The dining room, lounge and bar are quaint and understated and blend well with the pool area where one has a great view of the goings-on at the waterhole. An open-air fireplace at the base of a beautiful rosewood tree is the camp's centrepiece, doubling as the perfect early morning breakfast point (complete with wood-fired toast) and late-evening storytelling, night-cap bar.

There are only six tents (including one family unit) at Little Makalolo making it one of the most exclusive camps in Hwange. The large mesh windows and concrete floors keep them cool and airy in the summer. Wood and brass fittings make for an elegant bathroom and outdoor showers mean the game-viewing never stops (although maybe, here, the tables are turned). A small, shaded veranda complete with a seemingly magnetic birdbath, keeps things cool and entertaining.

The advantage of this private concession within the national park is the high density of wildlife and low density of tourists. Thus, game viewing is exclusive and not limited to daylight hours. Game drives continue well beyond sundown when lesser-seen nocturnal species are active. Private walks, led by expert guides, allow for a slower paced, intimate experience of nature. At an extra cost, you can also get a slice of Zimbabwean culture through a visit to nearby Ngamo village.