New safari camp for Hwange

The highly rated Elephant’s Eye Lodge at Hwange National Park.

A NEW safari camp will be opened in the wildlife rich Hwange National Park in May 2015, project promoters have said. Wilderness Safaris, one of southern Africa’s largest leisure operators, said last week it would add the Linkwasha Camp to its portfolio in Zimbabwe, which is expected to give the expansive wildlife sanctuary a fresh look. Situated on the same site as the old Linkwasha, the new operation is strategically situated close to the magnificent Ngamo Plains, the bastion of breathtaking summer game viewing in Hwange National Park.

The fresh, open and airy design of the new facility is complemented by an eclectic mix of contemporary interiors with the original spirit and essence of safari, says Wilderness Safaris. Seven en-suite luxury tents and one family tent overlook a waterhole that is effectively a magnet to wildlife, while the main area includes various multi-level decks, a pool area and a winter lounge complete with library services, says Wilderness, which has been operating in the park for close to two decades.

Apart from Hwange, Wilderness Safaris also operates a lodge at Ruckomechi in Mana Pools. The new camp will be one of the few additions to the national park, where President Robert Mugabe’s official elephant herd, the Presidential Herd, freely roams. The investment signals that previously skeptical investors are beginning to warm up to the growth prospects opening up in Zimbabwe following years of decline caused by global travel warnings. Wilderness Safaris said its new camp will give tourists the best experience.

The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed African Sun Limited, the country’s largest hotel chain, operates the magnificent Hwange Safari Lodge in the game park, where competition is set to become cutthroat with the coming of the new player. “Situated on the same site as the old Linkwasha, the new camp is perfectly located far away from public access areas but close to Ngamo, which offers fantastic summer game viewing to add to the excellent winter viewing within the Linkwasha concession,” said chief executive officer, Keith Vincent.

“We are making the commitment to invest in this destination based on our tremendous belief in Zimbabwe as a major player in Africa’s tourism industry. We are confident that we will be able to offer an exceptional wildlife experience, with a level of luxury on a par with what guests would associate with our Botswana camps”, he added.

“Linkwasha Camp has been designed to complement Wilderness Safaris’ other two properties in the concession, Little Makalolo and Davison’s Camp, each catering to the needs and budgets of different markets. It will offer seven en-suite double or twin luxury tents and one family tent, accommodating a total of 18 guests. All rooms will include coffee- and tea-making facilities, small bar fridges, ceiling fans and outdoor showers,” he said.

Vincent said activities at the camp will make the most of the exceptional year-round wildlife-viewing opportunities the area has to offer, with regular sightings of large herds of elephant and buffalo, prides of lion, and an abundance of plains game and birdlife. “The concession’s savannah grassland habitat is the ideal environment for walking safaris, as well as interpretative game drives led by highly experienced Wilderness Safaris guides.”

Activities on offer include visits to the Ngamo community, fresh “out of the oven” pizzas and sundowners in the bush, and a night spent under the stars at a nearby sleep-out deck.  “Alternatively, guests can simply sit back and relax on the deck while enjoying the incredible views of the Makalolo Pan located just in front of the camp. Linkwasha combines well with Wilderness Safaris’ other exceptional offerings in Zimbabwe, including Ruckomechi Camp in Mana Pools; or Toka Leya and The River Club on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls. It also makes the perfect addition to the Botswana Okavango Delta or Linyanti itinerary,” he said.

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