Luxury Lodges · Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Wilderness Little Makalolo
Overview
Highlights
- Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe's oldest and largest protected park.
- Vast open palm-fringed plains, grasslands, acacia woodlands and teak forests in this south-eastern corner of Hwange, coupled with year-round access to water, attract high concentrations of plains game, followed by their predators.
- Wilderness Little Makalolo offers nature walks, day and night game drives, and phenomenal close-up photo-ops of huge herds of elephants and buffalos from the log-pile hide at the waterhole in front of camp.
- Access to the equally abundant and adjacent Linkwasha Private Wilderness Reserve means Wilderness guests have exclusive traversing rights to 34,000 hectares (84,000 acres) of land.
Destination: Wilderness Little Makalolo lies in one of Hwange’s most ecologically diverse areas, ensuring both variety and numbers of animals year round. The many waterholes attract wildlife from far and wide, including the waterhole in front of camp.
Experience: Little Makalolo is in the ideal location for an authentic safari in Zimbabwe. The camp's exceptionally warm staff take care of guests’ every need. In camp, the pool area is the ideal spot to watch the wildlife parade, from its raised deck, and game viewing here starts right at the breakfast table… or pool… or, of course, the intimate log-pile hide. Game drives, guided nature walks and cultural activities sometimes end with a delicious pizza stop at Madison Pan. Also at Madison, a Star Bed invites a romantic sleep-out under the stars.
Out on a game drive, herds of buffalo, lone elephant bulls and rare antelope like sable and roan are regularly seen. Birdlife is extremely rewarding – retire to the log-pile hide and wait for them there, binoculars in hand.
Meet the people who support Hwange’s wildlife: the Scorpion Anti-Poaching Unit, and the nearby community members. Then spend the evening in the Star Bed, and fall asleep to lions roaring in the distance.
Purpose: Along Hwange’s southern boundary, many mammals fall victim to snares. Thus, our partnership with the Scorpion Anti-Poaching Unit – which includes supporting their patrols and snare-removal – is critical to aiding the survival of the wildlife.
Wildlife: Hwange’s mix of different veld and landscape types means that game viewing is exceptionally productive year-round. Wildlife frequently encountered in our area includes lions, large herds of elephants, buffalos, cheetahs, leopards, spotted hyenas, giraffes, sable, blue wildebeest, impalas, waterbuck, and reedbuck. In summer, wildebeest, zebras and eland are seen in great numbers on the open plains, while in winter elephants congregate in enormous herds around the waterholes. Birdlife in the area is prolific, with some 400-plus species recorded.
Wilderness Little Makalolo: Nestled in a dappled tree-line, and thoughtfully laid out to encourage an intimate and relaxing sojourn. The tents are connected to the main area by teak walkways, where a towering false mopane tree in the centre of the camp shades a separate dining and living area. An open fire deck invites convivial evening fireside tales under the stars. A raised pool deck, which also houses the bar and breakfast area, offers jaw-dropping views of the busy waterhole in front of camp.
Suites & Rates
Choose how you stay
Family Tent
The luxury family canvas tented unit has two three-quarter beds in each bedroom, each of which has its own entrance with an inter-leading door between the two rooms.
Standard Twin/Double Tent(s)
With just five en-suite units, intimate Wilderness Little Makalolo is Hwange’s original – and greatly cherished – bush camp, known for its exceptionally warm and genuine staff.The stylish tents are spacious and the en-suite...
Details
Good to know
Ideal for
Birding, Nature, Wildlife
Property facilities
Bar, Library, Pool
Accommodation & amenities
Electrical Outlets, Fan, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Outside Shower, Safe, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Services
Private Vehicle (Available)
On-site activities
Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Viewing Hide, Night Drives, Sleep Outs, Walks (Guided)
Nearby activities
Cultural Tours
Location
Where you'll be
Video
See the stay
We Are Wilderness
Discover Earth’s ultimate, untamed places with Wilderness. Let us take you on an unrivalled journey through a collection of the world’s most iconic wild destinations. Our company exists to make sure the world will always have a version of its iconic wild places that is unfenced, wild, unpredictable. It’s not our reputation as one of the first, or the largest, in the conservation tourism space that makes us Wilderness. It’s our determined push to keep going. To keep protecting, exploring and expanding Earth’s ultimate, untamed places. To then bring guests to discover the beating pulse of each one.
Discover Zimbabwe: The Ultimate Adventure
If the word adventure gets your pulse racing, you’re going to love a Zimbabwe safari. Be awed by the mesmerising Victoria Falls, the most expansive curtain of water in the world. Capture cherished family moments along the vast Zambezi, sighting pods of hippos, fish-eagles and bustling antelope herds. Marvel at a ponderous elephant coming to drink from a waterhole nearby – as a fiery sunset illuminates the horizon.
Activities
What you can do
Wilderness Little Makalolo – Cultural Village Visits *
An authentic village experience takes place in a manner that is respectful to all parties. Usually around four hours and led by one of the local villagers or a Wilderness guide, it often includes a tour of the school, meeting the headman or headwoman and enjoying cultural interaction with the community.* The school is closed over the weekend and during school holidays.
Wilderness Little Makalolo – Game Drives
The Makalolo Private Wilderness Reserve is situated in the most prolific wildlife area of Hwange National Park. The varied habitats and vegetation types, as well as countless waterholes, mean that game drives are exciting with always something new to be seen in an exclusive setting.
Wilderness Little Makalolo – Guided Nature Walks
Hwange was proclaimed some 80 years ago and has served as a haven for one of the highest concentrations of game on the African continent. There is no better way to experience this park than on foot, discovering the ecological-diversity of Hwange on a nature walk with a highly experienced safari guide.
Wilderness Little Makalolo – Log-pile Hide *
This log-pile hide is beautifully placed at the waterhole in front of camp, and is the perfect place to spend afternoon siesta hours. The productive waterhole offers thrilling game viewing to literally a Noah's Ark parade of elephant and buffalo. Elephants are often the star attraction at the hide; just watch out for the sprays of water propelled from their nearby trunks.* Note that during rare times of heavy rains, the log-pile hide becomes very muddy and inoperative.
Wilderness Little Makalolo – Night Drives
Evening game drives offer the best opportunity to see the shy nocturnal animals that are rarely seen in the daylight hours. The Hwange 'night act' includes species such as lesser bushbaby, spotted hyaena, leopard, lion, Selous mongoose, pangolin, caracal, porcupine, scrub hare, springhare and even honey badger.
Wilderness Little Makalolo – Star Bed At Madison Pan *
Situated on a raised platform overlooking Madison Pan, the Star Bed is just a 20-minute drive away from camp and offers a truly secluded, remote wilderness experience. Spend a romantic night surrounded only by nature, and beneath the canopy of millions of stars.* Weather permitting and operated subject to the discretion of the Camp Manager.
Wilderness Little Makalolo – Visit The Scorpion Anti-Poaching Unit *
While the area is best explored on game drives, a visit to the Scorpion Anti-Poaching Unit provides unique insights into our conservation support of Hwange. Depending on the movements of the unit, learn more about the teams and their daily anti-poaching efforts.* Subject to availability.
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