Zimbabwe is home to an array of fantastic value and exceptional safari lodges. Here, you get some of the best guiding, wildlife and overall safari experience in Southern Africa but for half the price as its neighbour Botswana. We would really recommend Zimbabwe for this reason! It is also a really off the beaten track safari adventure, as the parks are quiet and you still get the private concession feel as with the Okavango Delta. Lodges range from $700 per person per night up to $1,350 per person per night, so Zimbabwe caters for a good range of budgets. However, there is not necessarily a super glamorous option in Zimbabwe – the lodges go from authentic style safari camps, to classic, old school permanent safari lodges. There is no show-stopping or modern luxury here, so if this is a priority and you have deeper pockets, we would suggest Botswana.
The best authentic and great value safari lodges in Zimbabwe
Two of the very best authentic safari camps in Zimbabwe are located in Hwange National Park - The Hide and Davisions which cost $700 per person per night. Both are tented camps and offer an exceptional yet very authentic safari experience – all the comforts you need; excellent beds, cosy rooms, good food and dining, excellent service and the guiding is fabulous. If you like to feel as though you are truly in the wilderness, and are after that classic old school safari experience without the added mod-cons, then these lodges are perfect.
The best classic safari lodges in Zimbabwe
The lodges at the top end of luxury in Zimbabwe are the Wilderness Safaris properties; in Hwange there is Linkwasha at $1,260 per person per night as well as Little Mackalolo at $990 per person per night. In Mana Pools you have Ruckomechi at $1,172 per person per night, and Chikwenya at $1,352 per person per night. These lodges could not quite be called “barefoot luxury” as in their essence, they are authentic safari camps reminiscent more of the old school safari romance, rather than being obviously luxurious. The luxury comes in the quality of guiding, service and overall safari experience.
Little Mackalolo is probably the most rustic of these which is reflected in the price – though the camp is an excellent one, and an office favourite. Then you have Ruckomechi, which is really captures the romance of safari in its interiors, and barefoot comfort. We love it. Then, Linkwasha and Chickwenya, which are the more luxurious it gets in Zimbabwe. They are tastefully done, and are extremely comfortable camps, though they do not match with high end luxury in Botswana. Perfect for travellers who don’t want to fork out a huge amount, but still like a few mod cons like a communal pool to relax in after a long day of safari.
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Molori Mashuma - Mana Pools
Our View
Mana Pools is without doubt one of the best places for a pure, wilderness safari. And whilst bush camps and Mana Pools often go hand in hand, there’s no denying that some guests prefer their creature comforts. And Molori Mashuma provides this, plus much more in the heart of walking safari heaven.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,700
Nyamatusi Camp and Mahogany - Mana Pools
Our View
Nyamatusi Camp and its more family orientated camp Nyamatusi Mahogany are two of the most luxurious camps in Mana Pools National Park. Located in the far Eastern reaches of the National Park, on the banks of the Zambezi, you can either enjoy the endless wonders of Mana Pools on game drive or out walking, or stay back at camp and enjoy its comforts.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,073
Pamushana Lodge - Malilangwe
In short, we loved our stay at Pamushana. Amazing place, amazing people, and such a great stay. Everything worked very smoothly and the transfer from JNB to Buffalo Range airport was very smooth, never done that smooth travel in JNB before. The staff was friendly and since day 1 we felt like the same family.The lodge was in perfect condition and their cooks are simply amazing, we've never so good food in Africa before and best of all, it was local and included game. We've been disappointed in e.g. Kenya when the food was more European pizza-pasta -style. As a private resort it's not as animal rich as some national parks but that was really an advantage as one (read: the guide) had to make some effort to find the animals, especially the more rare ones.
The animals are also less used to cars. In Maasai Mara it was a bit annoying that there was a lion family under every second tree, and the guides made noise simply to wake them up. Zimbabwe got high on our list for future trips so we'll most definitely be back.
- P Ojala
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $895
Ruckomechi Camp - Mana Pools
We found Ruckomechi Camp to be one of the most magical places we have ever visited. We loved getting to know the staff and were treated like royalty. It was fun to be able to experience Mana Pools National Park from a car, boat, canoe and by foot.- R.Lane
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $1,073
Sapi Explorer Camp - Mana Pools
Sapi Explorer Camp is the new camp from Great Plains. Small, intimate and located in a very large private concession that runs adjacent to the Eastern borders of Mana Pools National Park, Sapi is a must for safari lovers. This is a newly opened concession which has some wonderful game viewing opportunities and is an excellent addition to a Mana Pools safari.
Our Rating:
Cost: $1,073
Somalisa Camp and Acacia - Hwange
Our View
Somalisa Camp and Somalisa Acacia are both owned by African Bush Camps. Located on an acacia island in their own private concession in Hwange National Park, a private and intimate stay can be assured. In front of both camps is an elephant pool which regularly sees large herds of elephants come to drink. This is just one of the highlights in one of safari's best destinations.
Our Rating:
Cost: $667
Somalisa Expeditions - Hwange
Our View
Somalisa Expeditions, owned and run by African Bush Camps is an incredible small tented camp set deep within one of the best parks in Southern Africa. This old school style camp offers an authentic safari set in a quiet area of the park amongst a grove of acacia trees on a small floodplain with a small waterhole in front of the camp that is regularly visited by roaming elephants.Our Rating:
Cost: $667
The Hide - Hwange
Our View
The Hide has consistently been voted one of the “Best Tented Safari Camp in Zimbabwe”, and in our view it remains one of the best lodges in Hwange. It is also one of the few lodges actually inside the National Park, with just 10 tents, it’s small and intimate and now beautifully renovated.
Our Rating:
Cost: $650
Victoria Falls Hotel - Victoria Falls
In Zimbabwe we stayed at the Victoria Falls Hotel which was absolutely lovely with great managers and staff and brilliant location with plenty to do. A great location for Victoria Falls and other activities. Overall a great success. many thanks.- K. Power
Our Rating:
Client Rating:
Cost: $265
Vundu - Mana Pools
Our View
Vundu and its smaller sister camp Little Vundu are owned and run by husband and wife team Nick and Des Murrary, both excellent and well-respected professional guides, who also continue to oversee the Bushlife Conservancy charity which has helped eradicate poaching in the region. Both camps are located in a small private concession next to Mana Pools National Park which gives them access to both of these wildlife-rich areas.Our Rating:
Cost: $1,073
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