Wilderness Little Makalolo

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.