A home-away-from-home in the heart of a wilderness is the atmosphere at The Hide Safari Camp, an award-winning tented lodge on a private concession in Zimbabwe‘s largest nature reserve. There, modern comforts and luxury are brought into the bush to create a hideout from where wildlife can be seen and encountered at unbelievable proximity.
Photo credit: The Hide Safari Camp
Rhino Rating:
5/5
Where?
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Why?
For those seeking an authentic African safari experience, The Hide is a treasured find they return to time and again. With richly decorated luxury tents positioned for prime viewing of the nearby waterhole that’s frequented by wildlife, guests are treated to a spectacle throughout their stay. By allowing you to observe nature’s cycles and an interrupted glimpse at majestic wildlife from the safety of a hide beneath the waterhole, you are able to truly appreciate the African safari experience.
Unfenced from Hwange National Park, the camp itself is a part of the ecosystem, inviting guests to experience the silence, alertness, awareness and presence required of life in the wild.
Photo credit: The Hide
Who?
The Wildlife
During our recent visit to The Hide, we were treated to a visit by a 50-strong herd of elephant. From our deck, we saw their glorious approach towards the waterhole to replenish. We made our way to the main area and then to the hide for a closer viewing. There, time stood still as we beheld the herd at our leisure until slowly they began their retreat into the bush. An absolute highlight of a stay at The Hide.
Photo credit: Katharina Riebesel
At a Glance
The camp has two standard tents and two luxury units plus Tom’s Little Hide and The Private Hide, two exclusive private camps within the camp itself. Completely refurbished to allow for a steadier stream of light, the open communal and dining area is cosy and spacious, with subtle wilderness decor accents. Because it’s unfenced, the camp enjoys the occasional visit from the parks’ wildlife, including a particularly naughty elephant who likes to rummage for food near the campsite. The underground hideout in front of the main entrance has an adjoining cellar full of premium wines.
Best time to go
The best wildlife viewings in Hwange are during the winter months between June and October. During the dry season, more than 100 mammal and 400 species of bird frequent the waterholes, to the viewing delight of visitors. However, mornings and nights are colder at this time, sometimes dropping to below zero degrees Celsius. In the summer, from December to March, it’s the rainy season, a feast of sightings for bird enthusiasts.
Photo credit: The Hide
Facilities, Amenities & Rooms
All tents have a private bathroom and a small veranda. While relaxing in the freestanding bath inside or in front of your luxurious unit, you can watch the wildlife meander by. Tom’s Little Hide, east of the property, sleeps up to 10 guests in a luxurious three-bedroom cottage. The Private Hide is recommended for six adults and up to four children. Here you can enjoy an incomparable 360 panoramic view of the waterhole. Both exclusive camps come with a private guide and safari vehicle, a dedicated chef and a pool for personal use. The two exclusive units welcome children of all ages. All the accommodations are elegantly decorated with earthy hues and organic materials – each tent is styled to blend into the natural surroundings of the encircling bush.
Photo credit: The Hide
Dining Experience
Guests of the exclusive camps are served by their own private chef who tailors the menu as per their requirements. Guests of the standard or luxury tents dine with their fellow travelers in the common area and are treated to hearty and uncomplicated fair with a lovely “home-cooked” feel. Snacks and drinks are served throughout, including during sundowners in the heart of the bush where your guide regales you with tales of safari adventures. Vegetarian and meat dishes are served with every meal.
How to get there
Just outside Hwange National park is Hwange National Park airport, a small airstrip from where your Hide transfer will meet you. A guide will accompany you to the lodge in an open 4×4 vehicle with game viewing opportunities on the way. If you’re traveling from Victoria Falls, you may book your transfer from there or self-drive for about three and a half hours to the camp.
Photo credit: The Hide
Perfect For
Families and larger groups will enjoy the communal atmosphere and “at-home” setting. Also, with more habituated wildlife, children and first-time safari-goers can have an anxiety-free experience.
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