Camelthorn Lodge

Style

8 forest villas: 82 m sq flat roof with stone walls

• Outdoor maisonette with hammocks – ideal for a siesta or a night ‘under the stars’. Accessed via a spiral stairway

• Large bedroom and lounge area with large sliding glass doors and overhead fans and fireplace

• Room configuration – one king bed or twin double beds

• En-suite bathroom with bath in front of a picture window, shower, basin and toilet

The main lodge is a magnificent stone structure with thatch roof built in an open U around the lodge’s splendid namesake –

The Camelthorn Tree

• The Western wing is a closed in dining room protected from the elements with 3 fireplaces

• The central portion of the main lodge is an open fronted reception area and lounge

• The Eastern wing has open fronted bar and lounge area on a raised teak deck

• Within the “U” lies an open patio area under The Camelthorn, ideal for enjoying leisurely brunches and candlelit dinners under the stars on warm evenings.

Rooms

8

Open Season

Open all year

Safari Experience

GAME DRIVES

• Traditional open safari vehicles driven by licensed experienced guides
• Morning game drives with tea, coffee and biscuits and afternoon drives with drinks and cooked snacks
• Land cruisers seat up to 9 guests and Land Rovers seat up to 7 guests

GAME WALKS

• Conducted by a fully licensed and highly experienced professional guide
• Usually undertaken in the mornings
• Ideal for photography of big game on foot

UNDERGROUND BLIND

• A feature of Camelthorn is the 6m long underground blind with en-suite flush toilet
• Strategically positioned in the shade of a Leadwood tree, disguised as an antheap and aligned to take advantage of both the sunsets and the evening light at elephant toe level – this blind will have novices taking National Geographic pictures!

NIGHT DRIVES

• Night drives within the lodge estate to view the array of wildlife particularly nocturnal creatures is very popular
• Usually undertaken upon return from the afternoon activity or alternatively after supper, particularly when lion are heard calling nearby

PUMP RUNS

• There are 8 waterholes operated by the camp for the wildlife within this area of the park, the furthest of which is 55 km into the Park.
• A popular activity is to take an all day trip into the park to visit the waterholes and drop fuel and oil for the motors, and rations and supplies for the pump attendants.
• A picnic lunch is then enjoyed near one of the waterholes before taking an afternoon game drive back to the lodge.

HORSE RIDING

The open grasslands and forest groves of the Ngamo Plains around Camelthorn are among the most scenic areas of Hwange, as well as being home to a variety of wildlife, big and small.  The landscape changes dramatically between the cooler dry winters and warm humid summers.

This special scenery is ideal for horse-riding and several activity options have been designed for riders of different experience levels.  All rides are led by experienced, qualified guides and trackers. 

SCHOOL TOURS AND VILLAGE VISITS

• Within the neighbouring villages of Tsholotsho 15 minutes drive from the lodge, our guests have the opportunity to enjoy a real life look at village life in rural Matabeleland
• A fascinating experience of a variety of typical daily village activities is followed by a tour of one of the nearby schools conducted by the Headmaster where guests are given the opportunity to hear traditional songs sung by the children and enjoy a ‘class interaction’.

Wildlife & Birdlife

The southern two thirds of the Park are ecologically defined by deep Kalahari sands, which support impressive forests of Zambezi teak and other hardwoods. Scattered within these woodlands are ancient fossil lakebeds and drainage lines, which are now large savannah grasslands fringed with Acacia and Leadwood trees. Nestled in a pristine forest on the South Eastern boundary of Hwange National Park you will find Camelthorn.

Here the mix of open grasslands and woodlands provides the perfect mosaic of habitats for the full spectrum of both grazing and browsing herbivores  resident in Hwange and then of course the carnivores that prey on them – Lion, Leopard, Painted dog and both species of Hyaena – Spotted and the seldom seen Brown. This abundance of wildlife set in both woodlands and open grasslands provides some of the best year-round game viewing to be found anywhere in Zimbabwe.

During our wet season months from December through March, the ancient lake systems still fill with water; and the open grasslands are flooded, attracting migratory birds from all over Eurasia and Africa. Over 300 species have been recorded in the Bomani and Camelthorn area, both migrants and residents.

Added Extras

Cultural village and school visit
20 foot look up blind at Stoffies pan with a flush loo for excellent game viewing
Sundowners on the Elephant express rail car on the Ngamo Plains