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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Sable Valley - Hwange National Park
Our View
Providing the perfect base for everyone, Amalinda’s Sable Valley Camp sits on the edges of their famous Dete Vlei which attracts an abundance of wildlife. Some guests don’t feel the need to even go out on game drive, they just wait for the wildlife to come to them. Charming and with conservation and sustainability as the ethos, this lodge provides everything a true safari camp should.
Our Rating:
Cost: $500
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
Verney's Camp - Hwange
Our View
Verney’s Camp is a brilliant Hwange option for that classic tented safari-style camp elevated with a hefty sprinkling of luxury in its pool and spacious rooms. The beauty of Hwange is you can get Botswana-level opulence, but for half the price. It also helps that the wildlife is phenomenal.
Our Rating:
Cost: $
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
Zambezi Expeditions - Mana Pools
Our View
As per the other Expeditions camps run by Africa Bush Camps, Zambezi Expeditions is an excellent yet simple option along the banks of the Mana Pools National Park. The camps has a unique feel and strcuture and is styled similarly to the East African mobile tented camps instead of your typical Southern Africa permanent camps.Our Rating:
Cost: $1,073
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