11 day Vic Falls & Hwange with Stimela Star

EXPERIENCE

• Visit the sanctuary headquarters and home of the Cobras – hear a short talk on the CRCI project, rhino security, and future plans.
• Walking tour to join the rhino and the Cobras guarding them; lots of photo opportunities and time to appreciate Thuza and Kusasa in their new home (how close visitors will be able to get to the rhino is subject to conditions on the ground).

Please note:
Subject to availability and terms and conditions apply.

Experience our one-of-a-kind unique Elephant express rail car which is an
exceptional activity and a definite highlight of a stay at Camelthorn Lodge!

The Elephant Express was introduced in 2015; it is a unique railcar, ingeniously designed and built to offer an unforgettable activity to and between our camps in Southern Hwange National Park.The Elephant Express makes daily return trips as necessary between Ngamo Siding, near Camelthorn to Dete Railway station. It is a 2.5hr ride and a great game viewing opportunity. It is at an additional cost, please contact reservations on prices and how to use it to transfer guest in and out of camp.

• Accommodating up to 22 passengers, the railcar has a safari design with open sides, an engine at the front and back and specially trained drivers. It offers individual coach seating at teak tables and a chemical loo on-board.
• Soft drinks, beers, wine and snacks are provided and lunch is served whilst the railcar is stationary before the return trip.
• The railcar is spacious with large aisles to allow your guests to walk around within and spot wildlife.
• There is a highly experienced knowledgeable guide is on board to answer all your questions and help make the trip as enjoyable as possible.

•Traditional open safari vehicles driven by licensed experienced guides

•Morning drives with tea, coffee and biscuits and afternoon drives with drinks and cooked snacks

•Land Cruisers seat up to 9 guests and Land Rovers seat up to 7 guests

•Conducted by a fully licensed and highly experienced professional guide

•Usually undertaken in the mornings

•Ideal for photography of big game on foot

•Night drives within the lodge’s private concession to view the array of wildlife, particularly nocturnal

creatures.

•Usually undertaken upon return from the afternoon activity or alternatively after supper, particularly

when lion are heard calling nearby.

•We have a spacious 20 ft game viewing hide at one of our waterholes ideal for

wildlife photography. There is a flush loo available.

•Imvelo Safari Lodges operate 18 pumping stations for the wildlife in this region of the National Park, the furthest of which is 55 km away. A popular activity is to take an all day trip into the Park to visit the waterholes to drop off fuel and oil for the motors as well as rations and supplies for the pump attendants

•A picnic lunch is then enjoyed near one of the waterholes followed by a leisurely game drive back to lodge in the afternoon.

•Fifteen minutes drive from the lodge our guests have the opportunity to enjoy a real life look at

village life in rural Matabeleland. A fascinating experience of a variety of typical daily village

activities is followed by a tour of one of the nearby schools conducted by the Headmaster where

guests are given the opportunity to hear traditional songs sung by the children and enjoy a ‘class

interaction’.

Nehimba is situated on its own private concession in the Northern area of the national park where many of Hwange’s wild residents enjoy wandering freely through the area. You may choose to relax on your private balcony with an early morning cup of coffee, or whittle away the last of the daylight hours on the main lodge deck with sundowners, where the animals amble by and pause at the nearby waterhole to quench their thirst. We highly recommend one day having an arm chair safari

Elephants drinking from the pool Credit: Imvelo Safari Lodges

Aerial view of Nehimba Lodge and its waterholes Credit: Imvelo Safari Lodges

Elephants drinking from the pool Credit: Imvelo Safari Lodges

Around the campfire with elephants Credit: Imvelo Safari Lodges

Elephants bathing at Nehimba Lodge Credit: Imvelo Safari Lodges

Dinner with the elephants at Nehimba Credit: Imvelo Safari Lodges

Credit: Imvelo Safari Lodges

Dinner with the elephants at Nehimba Credit: Imvelo Safari Lodges

Nehimba is situated right on the edge of the mopane woodlands of northern Hwange and the kalahari sandveld of the west, and so offers the full spectrum and diversity of fauna that Hwange has to offer. The elephant hunting Lions of this area are famous. The area is well watered so is host to large numbers of animals throughout the year but particularly during the dry season. Game drives are conducted in specially modified Land rovers designed to provide wildlife enthusiasts with ideal opportunities for photography. During drives, our expert guides enjoy sharing their extensive knowledge with you - be it while watching the African bush come to life as the sun starts to rise, or whilst marvelling at a large elephant herd drinking at a waterhole as the sun slips behind the horizon.

For an entirely different perspective, join one of our armed professional guides and get close to nature. During a game walk you can experience the thrill of approaching wildlife on foot. Your guide will also teach you the basics of how to track wildlife from the ground as well as interesting facts about the surrounding vegetation and ecology.

For those who would like to view Hwange in a different 'light', we offer our guests the opportunity to accompany one of our guides on a night drive through our concession. Filtered spotlights are used to pick out the various nocturnal species that can be found such as hyena, porcupines, civets, genet cats, and if you're lucky, perhaps even a leopard on hunt!

This special designated conservation area is one of the only year-round, naturally occurring water supplies in the massive Hwange National Park. The seep is an ancient source of surface water that was once used by the San Bushmen. Today the area is frequented by elephant, who can be found digging for minerals as well as enjoying the water.

Situated in a scenic hilly spot only 15-kilometres from Sinamatella Camp, the Mandavu Dam is a wonderful location for both bird watching and game viewing. Take a leisurely morning drive to the dam before joining a variety of wildlife for a picturesque picnic brunch at the water’s edge.

Cuan Rush - Imvelo Safari Lodges Credit: Cuan Rush - Imvelo Safari Lodges

Elephants drinking Credit: Imvelo Safari Lodges

Crocodile and birds Credit: Imvelo Safari Lodges

Hippo wallowing Credit: Imvelo Safari Lodges

Cuan Rush - Imvelo Safari Lodges Credit: Cuan Rush - Imvelo Safari Lodges

A guided tour of the magnificent Victoria Falls rain forest (park entry fees not included) as well as a visit to the Victoria Falls curio market.

A wonderful cruise on the Zambezi River amongst the islands near the lodge – enjoy the river, its wildlife and a Zambezi sunset with complimentary drinks and snacks.

Traditional open safari vehicles driven by licensed experienced guides, Land cruisers seat up to 9 guests and Land Rovers seat up to 7 guests.

Conducted by a fully licensed and highly experienced professional guide, usually undertaken in the mornings, ideal for photography of big game on foot.

Guided Canoe trips along the mighty Zambezi River in the network of islands close to the camp. Picnic lunches on the islands is also on offer.

Guided fishing in the Zambezi River - home to the fierce and powerful Tigerfish and many other species

Imvelo’s ethos is to enrich the lives of those who live around us as well as our guests. As such, we have a strong link with communities around the lodges and our spa treatments fall in line with our proud tradition of empowering the community through providing jobs in tourism as our beauty therapists have been hand-picked from the surrounding community area.

Our therapists were then trained locally to provide you authentic Zimbabwean treatments in the most spectacular settings! We encourage you to enjoy one of these treatments during your stay with us, as you will not only experience some true pampering in the African bush, but you will also be further giving back to our local community.

Spa treatments are available at your private villa on the maisonette level, overlooking the unspoilt acacia woodlands or a destination treatment can be arranged in the Camelthorn concession, close to the lodge, enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.

(Destinations available will vary, depending on seasonality, amount of guests in camp and time of day the treatment is requested.
Please discuss this with management the day before the treatment is requested and they will do their best to ensure something special is arranged.)

Spa Menu
"Imvelo's Ikhanda Massage"
Head Massage
A rejuvenating head massage in the tranquil surroundings of the African bush relieving your mind of stress in Natures Company.
20 minutes - RACK $20

"Imvelo's Unyawo Massage"
Foot massage
Put your feet up and relax with a picturesque view as you get treated to a foot massage with the sights and sounds of nature at your feet.
30 minutes - RACK $30

"Imvelo's Ihlombe & Intamo Massage"
Shoulder & neck massage
Focused on your areas of stress, unwind and close your eyes as nature treats you to a relaxing shoulder and neck massage.
30 minutes - RACK $30

"Imvelo's Ubuhle Manicure or Pedicure"
Basic manicure or pedicure
With beauty in mind pamper and treat yourself with the sounds of nature in the backgrounds as you unwind on your holiday in Zimbabwe.
40 minutes - RACK $30.