The Hide Safari Camp | Hwange National Park
Located in a prime position in Hwange National Park, The Hide offers a life-enriching safari experience for its guests, from its fantastic game viewing right on your doorstep, to a variety of daily activities to suit everyone and the warm and welcoming staff, who make you feel like family from the minute you arrive.
Guests are accommodated in 10 beautifully-furnished deluxe tents, all boasting en-suite bathrooms and private verandas overlooking the busy waterhole. As well as 2 exclusive use options for private groups or families. Keep your binoculars on hand, as elephant, lion and buffalo can often be seen satisfying their thirst.
Adventures include day and night game drives, guided bush walks and exceptional game viewing in the seclusion of the camp’s unique underground hides. For those who are a little more adventurous, The Dove’s Nest Treehouse is available at no extra charge. Located 10 minutes away from camp, this wildly romantic sleep out has the perfect vantage point from which to view wildlife safely, quietly.
After an exhilarating day of game viewing, guests can retreat to the cool refuge of the camp’s swimming pool and enjoy delicious meals savoured al fresco or under the A-frame thatch in the dining room.
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The Hide sleeps up to 20 guests in ten comfortable and spacious deluxe, family deluxe and honeymoon deluxe tents. The tents have a myriad of different configurations with indoor and/or outdoor bathtubs and showers. They are fan cooled for your comfort in summer and have extra warm blankets and hot water bottles for the cool winter months. Each has a private veranda from where guests may be entertained by the comings and goings of a large variety of game at the waterhole. One tent is wheelchair friendly.
Tom’s Little Hide is best suited for 6 adults and up to 4 children, but can happily accommodate a group of 8 adults, too.
Rooms 1 and 2, both double en-suite bedrooms, can also accommodate one child in each on a roomy day bed. The bedrooms are linked by a dining room and outside veranda, complete with sparkling swimming pool.
Rooms 3 and 4 have been recently rebuilt (2024) and redecorated and are equal in size, now, to 1 and 2.
Tom’s Little Hide comes with its own private guide and vehicle, in order for you to take full advantage of all the activities, at your own pace. Booking is done on a minimum of 4 pax.
When using The Private Hide, guests stay in The Hide’s tents – Tent 7, 6, 5 and/or 4, depending on the numbers. Tents 7 and 6 are large deluxe or family tents, which can accommodate two adults and two children in full-size beds. Each room has its own en suite bathroom – indoor bath, inside and outdoor shower and hot water all day. All rooms are mosquito-proofed and have fans for your comfort during the warmer months. It can be booked on a minimum of 2 pax.
It includes:
Private safari vehicle & Professional Guide
Private & flexible dining
Children of all ages are welcome
*Special Children under 10 stay for free. 01 January 2020 - 31 March 2021*
Tom’s Little Hide has been created along the Safari House concept and includes its own lounge, dining room, swimming pool and accommodation.
Booked by a minimum of 4 full paying guests, Tom’s Little Hide accommodates up to 6 adults in three beautiful ’safari-chic’ rooms overlooking the waterhole. The third room is a tented room with an inter-leading passage to a children's room. Tom’s Little Hide is ideally suited to no more than 10 guests including children (children of any age are welcome). Should there be more than 6 adults, The Hide's adjacent Tents 10 and/or Tent 9 may be used as additional accommodation.
Tom’s Little Hide professional guide will passionately offer the guests a true wilderness and wildlife experience that Hwange National Park is so well known for. With up to 4 activities included in the rate per day there is ample opportunity to view some of the 100 plus mammal and 400 bird species. The activities include bush walks with your Zimbabwean Professional Guide, day and night game drives or underground 'viewing hide’ sits.
The Private Hide is an 'exclusive use facility' which includes a dining room, lounge, swimming pool and fire pit. The Private Hide comes with your own Professional Guide and private vehicle.
The accommodation used for The Private Hide is the adjacent tents numbering from 7, 6, 5 and/or 4, depending on the number of guests. Tents 7 and 6 are large Deluxe Suites or Family Tents. The Family Tents can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children in one spacious room with an enclave area. Children of any age are welcome. Booked by a minimum of 2 full paying guests.
The Private Hide’s professional guide will enthusiastically offer the guests a true wilderness and wildlife experience that Hwange National Park is so well known for. With up to 4 activities included in the rate per day there is ample opportunity to view some of the 100 plus mammal and 400 bird species. The activities include bush walks with a Zimbabwean Professional Guide, day and night game drives or underground
'viewing hide’ sits.
Our little secret, the Dove’s Nest, is just about the best way to get away from it all. There are few things more exciting than spending a night out in a tree-house. This wonderful sleep out is a complimentary add-on to a booking with The Hide.
Overlooking the open tree-lined vlei and pan where giraffe and elephants commonly come to drink, this wildly romantic gem is a perfect vantage point from which to view wildlife safely, quietly. Just the two of you. Kept simple, as a tree-house should be, the bedroom of the Dove’s Nest is reached by a wooden stairway and trap door. Guests are dropped off after the afternoon activity and dinner and drinks await.
You won’t have to forego your hot shower and warm bed and the location is second-to-none. Truly an unforgettable experience! Book in advance. The Dove's Nest is especially perfect for honeymooners, anniversaries and solo retreats.
Property Facilities
Bar, Conference Centre, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath, Disabled Rooms, Fan, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Verandah, Wheelchair Friendly
Available Services
24-hour Security, Disability, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Private Vehicle (Available)
Activities on Site
Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Viewing Hide, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Night Drives, Safaris, Sleep Outs, Walks (Guided), Wildlife Tours
Activities Nearby
Bird Watching, Child Friendly Activities, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, General Sightseeing, Safaris, Walks (Guided), Wildlife Tours
Morning and afternoon guided walks are offered at The Hide Safari Camp.
The Hide Safari Camp is fortunate to have the best of both worlds. While located within the Hwange National Park, it is also surrounded by a private concession which allows us to offer activities not otherwise permitted. Hwange is a vast playground worth exploring so you don’t have to worry about being bored. Early morning walks are there for the thrill of encountering wildlife on its own terms and exploring the little surprises of the bush.
Morning and afternoon game drives as well as night drives with a spotlight are offered at The Hide Safari Camp.
Days can be spent further afield on game drives in search of predators and prey alike. We like to do things properly so sundowners are an important part of the experience. Enjoy the natural beauty with a cold drink in hand. The guides at The Hide are very much part of the family and have been with us for many years. They have undergone some of the most rigorous training in Africa and their passion for and knowledge of the bush is often what makes a safaris so special.
You’re sitting on the deck at The Hide ‘A’ frame. The sun has just set, its residual warmth a soft tinge of pink in the sky. Just then, a family of elephants strolls into the scene and up to the waterhole. You watch, fascinated by their interactions. Now, here’s where you jump into action. Without the need for a guide or host, you can go directly from the deck into the underground hide and observe the elephant family from up-close. Just step off the deck and slip down the steps into a whole new world. Along a tunnel, you’ll walk for about 10 metres under the surface of the earth – and then emerge into a “window on the waterhole”, where you can sit quietly, the unobserved observing. It’s a special addition and makes the experience of “game viewing” more intense and personal.
Along the same tunnel, guests are delighted to find, hidden away in the wall, a real wine cellar. Perfectly cooled at a steady 17 degrees Celsius, ambient-lit and stocked with a small selection of fine wines from around the world, this is a welcome addition to an already all-sensory experience at The Hide.
Our little secret, the Dove’s Nest, is just about the best way to get away from it all. There are few things more exciting than spending a night out in a tree house.
Overlooking the open tree-lined vlei and pan, this rustic gem is a perfect vantage point from which to view wildlife safely, quietly. Just the two of you. Kept simple, as a tree house should be, the bedroom of the Dove’s Nest is reached by a wooden stairway and with a closeable door. You won’t have to forego your hot shower and warm bed and the location is second to none.
Going on safari is an exciting prospect and, for many, when the dust has been wiped off your boots and the hat hung up till next time, there is no greater pleasure than poring over the special moments you’ve captured on camera.
A native Zimbabwean, Neil Fairlie is a professional wildlife documentary filmmaker with a profound knowledge and deep respect for Africa and its wildlife. His formal experience spans more than a decade, including the recent Netflix series Our Planet, but he is also qualified as a learner guide, and his intimate knowledge of the bush, natural instincts and skill in capturing unique moments of animal behaviour on film make him a brilliant photographic safari guide. Please enquire about Neil's availability!
This is a rare opportunity for groups or individuals to benefit from Neil’s skills, both behind the lens and in the bush…
The Hide's Restaurant
The hub of the camp is the signature “A” frame which houses the dining area. Most meals are served in unsurpassed elegance and style around our magnificent 22 seater teak dining room table or in a private setting out on the deck under the moonlight. We try to cater to our guests' needs wherever we can and our incredible in-house chefs are able to fulfill many dietary requirements.
Your Stay
3 Nights
Fully Inclusive - Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
All Drinks Included
Fast Facts
4 Star
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 14
Special Interests: Birding, Flora, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine
Ilala Lodge Hotel | Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
Ilala Lodge Hotel is ideally located only 8 minutes away from the spectacular Victoria Falls, making it geographically the closest hotel to the waterfall on the Zimbabwean side. As a family-run hotel, Ilala Lodge has 73 stylish, well-appointed rooms, that offer the ultimate in comfort and luxury. The hotel’s location affords guests unique views of the mist that rises from the mighty waterfall, known as the ‘smoke that thunders
Experience gourmet dining at Ilala Lodge Hotels' top-rated Cassia Restaurant. Centrally located only minutes away from Victoria Falls, the newly-renamed restaurant offers a delicious breakfast buffet, lunch and al fresco evening dining under the starry African sky.
Relive the historical journey embarked by David Livingstone exploring the mighty Zambezi River aboard the Ra-Ikane fleet. Named after his instrumental guide, the boats represent the grace of a bygone era honouring the rich history of Victoria Falls and its explorers, adventurers and heroes. The Ra-Ikane offers a variety of cruises, including birdwatching, breakfast, lunch and sunset, as well as private charters.
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Ilala Lodge Virtual Tour
26 twins, with 2 large three-quarter beds in each room.
All rooms have en suite bathroom with separate shower, air conditioning, overhead fan, satellite TV hair dryer, safe and have individual coffee, free WiFi, room service and tea facilities. The rooms are spacious with railway teak furnishings. Complimentary initial stocking of mini bar is also included.
All rooms look towards the Victoria Falls, and the National Park. There are often wild animals grazing on the lawn, and the windows and doors rattle from the force of the water from the mighty Victoria Falls.
All rooms have either a private patio or their own seating area on the lawn, facing the Falls.
6 x double rooms with 1 king size bed in each. 2 of these rooms are inter-leading with Classic twins rooms so ideal for families.
Like the Classic Twin rooms, all double rooms have an en-suite bathroom with separate shower, air conditioning, overhead fan, satellite TV hairdryer, safe, room service and have individual coffee and tea facilities and free WiFi. Complimentary initial stocking of mini bar is also included.
The rooms are spacious with railway teak furnishings. All rooms face the mighty Victoria Falls and the Zambezi National Park, so you'll often see wild animals grazing on the hotel lawns - while seated comfortably on your private patio area.
8 Twin rooms with 2 x 3/4 beds in each room. Like the double rooms, these all have an en-suite bathroom with walk-in shower, twin vanity basins (no bath). Air conditioning, overhead fan, satellite TV, hairdryer, safe, free WiFi, room service and individual coffee and tea facilities. Complimentary initial stocking of mini bar is also included.
Private patio with sliding doors from the bedrooms, with magnificent views of the sun rising over the Victoria Falls.
12 Double rooms with 1 x king size bed, with an en-suite bathroom with walk-in shower (no bath), twin vanity basins. Air conditioning, overhead fan, satellite TV, hairdryer, safe, free WiFi, room service and Nespresso machine and tea facilities. Complimentary initial stocking of mini bar is also included.
Private patio with sliding doors from the bedrooms, with magnificent views of the sun rising over the Victoria Falls.
2 Classic Suites with 1 x king-size bed & 1 x ¾ bed in each suite. The Classic Suites are situated at the very top of the hotel with amazing views of the Victoria Falls.
All Classic Suites have en-suite facilities with a bathtub, separate shower, air conditioning, overhead fan, satellite TV hairdryer, safe, free WiFi, minibar fridge with complimentary stocking, writing desk, room service and have individual coffee, Nespresso and tea facilities.
A private patio where morning tea & coffee can be enjoyed while watching the sun rise over the mighty Victoria Falls.
2 Executive Suites in our new wing. Each suite has their own separate lounge area with satellite TV, Nespresso coffee machine, as well as tea making facilities, air conditioning, fan, lounge suite, writing desk, mini bar fridge, room service, private patio with sliding doors that lead off the lounge.
Separate bedroom adjoins the lounge but has a sliding door separating the two rooms. A king-size bed, clothes closet, hairdryer, safe, robe and slippers. En-suite facilities with walk-in shower, twin vanity basins and separate bath. Minibar fridge with complimentary stocking.
Own private patio with sliding doors leading off the bedroom.
Magnificent views of the sunrise over the mighty Victoria Falls.
The suite comes complete with a private lounge, kitchen, en-suite bathroom with double vanity basins, walk-in shower and an indulgent bathtub. There is a private balcony, where guests can indulge in a large spa bath while enjoying world-class views of the spray rising above the mighty Victoria Falls waterfall.
Guests receive a complimentary in-room mini stocking of breakfast offerings such as yoghurt, cereal cheese, mini bread loaves etc. as well as a relaxing river cruise - subject to availability.
In addition to offering an ideal romantic retreat, the suite can also be transformed into a comfortable and spacious family villa, via a pair of interleading doors into a secondary suite and deluxe guest room.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Activity Desk, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Conference Centre, Laundry Service (Available), Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Detached Private Bathroom, En-Suite, Fan, Fridge, Hair Dryer, Internet Access (Complimentary), Mini Bar (Complimentary), Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Satellite / Cable Television, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Television, Verandah
Available Services
Airport Shuttle (Available), ATM, Babysitting Service, Credit Card Facilities, Room Service, Travel Desk
Activities on Site
Bird Watching, Cycling, Fine Dining, Game Viewing, Game Viewing Hide, Horse-back Safaris, Massages, Walks (Guided), Walks (Self Guided)
Activities Nearby
Adrenaline Activities, Animal Encounters, Big 5, Bird Watching, Boat Cruises, Boating, Canoeing, Child Friendly Activities, Cultural Tours, Cycling, Elephant-back Safaris, Fine Dining, Fishing, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, General Sightseeing, Golf, Helicopter Rides, Helicopter Scenic Flights, Historical Tours, Horse Riding, Horse-back Safaris, Massages, Rhino Tracking, River Cruises, Safaris, Scenic Flights, Squash Court, Tennis Court, Tree-top Canopy Tours, Walks (Guided), Wildlife Tours
Experience gourmet dining in Victoria Falls at the top-rated Cassia Restaurant. Centrally located only minutes from the Victoria Falls at Ilala Lodge Hotel, the newly-renamed restaurant offers a delicious breakfast buffet, lunch and al fresco evening dining under the starry African sky.
The Cassia Restaurant delivers an unmatched menu, paired with an extensive wine list comprised of carefully selected wines from South Africa’s top vineyards. The calming and tranquil ambience is further complemented by the gentle rumble of Victoria Falls in the background. A truly unforgettable dining experience not to be missed.
You know what they say about the early bird? If you are a passionate birdwatcher, don’t miss out on this river cruise! Keen bird lovers will delight in marking off their sightings in the birding booklet provided on board while enjoying a delicious continental breakfast including fruit platters, fresh pastries and a variety of cheeses and biscuits. Rare birds such as the African Pitta and the Narina Trogon have been sighted here, as well as hundreds of other bird species. The knowledgeable and experienced guides conduct these early morning river cruises.
Enjoy freshly brewed coffee and a continental breakfast as you cruise up the Zambezi River towards Kandahar Island while enjoying the sounds of the diverse birdlife and the African bush come to life in the early morning. Breakfast includes freshly baked pieces of bread and pastries, fresh fruit platters, jams, yoghurts and cheeses as well as an assortment of teas and coffee.
Sit back and relax while sipping a cold drink and enjoying a few quiet hours along the banks of the Zambezi River. Our lunch buffet includes cold meats, fresh salads and a wide selection of biscuits and cheeses, all catered by the award-winning Palm Restaurant at Ilala Lodge Hotel. The fully stocked bar is available throughout the cruise and the attentive crew is at your service.
There simply is not a better way to enjoy the dazzling African sunset than from the comfort of a Ra-Ikane boat on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Our ever-popular sunset cruise offers a unique way to explore the channels of the river and to get an up-close view of the pristine wilderness and African game along its banks. Enjoy an array of canapés, a full bar and a charming crew who can impart a bit of interesting Victoria Falls history with you on board the Ra-Ikane.
The Cassia Restaurant
Experience gourmet dining in Victoria Falls at the top-rated Cassia Restaurant. Centrally located only minutes away from the Victoria Falls at Ilala Lodge Hotel, the newly-renamed restaurant offers a delicious breakfast buffet, lunch and al fresco evening dining under the starry African sky.
The Cassia Restaurant delivers an unmatched menu, paired with an extensive wine list comprised of carefully selected wines from South Africa’s top vineyards. The calming and tranquil ambience is further complemented by the gentle rumble of Victoria Falls in the background. A truly unforgettable dining experience not to be missed.
Your Stay
2 Nights
Bed and Breakfast
Fast Facts
4 Star
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 73
Special Interests: Adventure, Birding, Fishing, Flora, Gourmet, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Shopping, Wildlife, Wine
