Somalisa Camp

AREA & ACTIVITIES

Habitat & Wildlife
Hwange is the largest of Zimbabwe’s wildlife areas. Situated in the south-western corner of the country at an average altitude of around 3,000ft, it covers an area of about 1.5 million hectares, along the border with Botswana.

The Park covers the transition zone between the Kalahari sands and the moist savannah woodland. The poor soil and harsh climate have not stunted or limited the variety of habitat: over 230 trees and shrubs and 138 grass species make up some of the more than 1,000 flora species found here. This diversity allows for more than 50 mammal species to co-exist.

Lacking permanent rivers, Hwange is managed with numerous man-made waterholes which are pumped to provide water for most of the animal species and which form the magnate around which most game-viewing takes place (many of the waterholes have hides). The park has a very sizeable and healthy elephant population (it is not uncommon to see over 150 at a time around the waterholes during the dry season), and other larger mammals to be seen include giraffe, impala, zebra, wildebeest, tsessebe, kudu, duiker, roan antelope, waterbuck, eland, gemsbok (along the drier western border), reedbuck, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hippo. Unfortunately, rhino are now seldom seen.

The area is also excellent for bird life, most represented by bush country species: babblers, starlings, bustards, ostrich, cranes, hornbills, francolins, guinea fowl, shrikes, etc., although raptors are plentiful and storks, geese and ibis can be seen at the waterholes.

Game viewing is excellent with good general game, big herds of buffalo and all the major predators present in the area. However Hwange is perhaps best known for its huge elephant populations, and from June through to October huge numbers can be seen visiting the various waterholes throughout the park, including the pan in front of camp. Hwange is also an excellent place to see the majestic sable antelope.

Activities
Activities focus around game drives by day, mostly within the Somalisa Concession but potentially further afield in the park, especially to the nearby Kennedy and Ngweshla pans. There is a log hide on the concession where you can enjoy up close viewing of wildlife coming down to drink. Night drives are allowed on the concession before dinner and afford the opportunity to seek out nocturnal species, whilst nature walks with professional guides can also be undertaken. In addition there is a sleepout deck “Ray’s Pan” on the concession, around 20 minutes’ drive from camp. The deck is built into a leadwood tree looking over a waterhole. There is a secure toilet underneath the deck, and a guide will stay in a tent nearby. Please note a private vehicle must be booked for the duration of your stay to enjoy the sleepout deck.

Seasons
Somalisa Camp and Somalisa Acacia are open all year round, though game viewing is best from July through to October.