Wilderness Little Makalolo

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.

The Linkwasha-Makalolo Private Wilderness Area occupies a broad range of habitat from open grassland, numerous pans, mopane woodland and teak forests. The expansive Ngamo Plains can offer particularly dramatic wildlife viewing – in the dry season they attract a large number of plains game and predators are never far away; while in the green season the flooded plain hosts an explosion of migrant birdlife.

Activities
Activities at Little Makalolo centre on morning and afternoon/evening game viewing drives in open 4×4 vehicles throughout the concession, as well as walks with armed guides. The lodge also offers a ‘Star bed sleep-out experience’ on a raised platform overlooking Madison Pan, some 20 minute drive from the property. Bedrolls are provided for a comfortable night under the stars and there are basic ablution facilities.

Seasons
Wilderness Little Makalolo is open year round, though game viewing is best from July through to October.