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Big Cave Camp is is located on a beautiful thousand hectare privately owned wilderness area, bordering the Matobo National Park, and within the UNESCO World heritage area.
The lodge has been in the Waddy family for three generations, and was purchased by Cyril Waddy in 1947. The lodge is owner managed, and comprises 10 granite under thatch lodges that blend into the natural environment.
Each lodge has an ensuite bathroom, stunning views, and an external balcony. Big Cave offers a wide range of activities with qualified guides Shepherd and Tawanda who are experts in their fields. Choose from Rhino Tracking in the National Park, to a range of walks and drives on the Big Cave wilderness area (including spectacular sundowner spots), or choose to visit the incredible San rock art paintings at one of the famous rock art galleries. Visit the grave of Cecil John Rhodes for an amazing historical experience that includes tales of battles fought in the Hills!
Big Cave offers a natural rock pool, unique dining facility in the Leopards Lair lounge dining area, and bush breakfasts and dinners upon request. In addition we offer cultural tours to the local school, Ndebele village and traditional healer.
Honeymoon suites:
'Kozi' and 'Ntwane', with King size bed, boast voluminous space that includes a lounge area. Both Honeymoon suites are 'A' framed granite under-thatch room that is nestled within the granite rocks on top of a Kopje (Hill) overlooking the Big Cave Camp Valley and the majestic Matopos National Park. 100% Egyptian cotton linen and pillow cases to add to your comfort. Overhead fan to cool in the summer and Aranda Faux minx blanket to keep you warm and snug p in the winter months. En-suite bathroom, flush toilet, shower and double basins with hot running water.
Doors open onto a private deck with spectacular views overlooking Matopos National Park.
These rooms are both situated the highest from the rest of the chalets on the 'Kopje'
Room Facilities
Balcony , Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bed Linen, En Suite Bathroom, Fan, Hand Towels, Laundry Service (Available), Lounge Area, Lounge, Mosquito Nets, Mosquito Netting, Queen Bed, Tea / Coffee, Twin Bed, Vanity Cabinet
Standard lodge with en-suite flush toilet, shower and basin with hot water. Doors open onto a private balcony. These rooms are now set up as doubles with a king size bed, but are also can be swtiched to two single beds.
Standard lodge with en-suite flush toilet, shower and basin with hot water. Doors open onto a private balcony. These rooms are now set up as doubles with a king size bed, but are also can be swtiched to two single beds.
Standard lodge with en-suite flush toilet, shower and basin with hot water. Doors open onto a private balcony. These rooms are now set up as doubles with a king size bed, but are also can be swtiched to two single beds.
Family room including a double bed and double bunk bed with en-suite flush toilet, shower and basin with hot water. Doors open onto a private balcony, with stunning views of the valley below.
Family room including a double bed and double bunk bed with en-suite flush toilet, shower and basin with hot water. Doors open onto a private balcony, with stunning views of the valley below.
Family room including a double bed and double bunk bed with en-suite flush toilet, shower and basin with hot water. Doors open onto a private balcony, with stunning views of the valley below.
Mbila, Bhalabhala, Bhejane, Skhova, Ndwangu, Mziki, Mpun& Igogo
The 30-40sqm stand alone Double/Twin chalets are 'A' framed granite under thatch rooms that are nestled within the granite rocks on top of a Kopje (Hill) overlooking the majestic Matopos National Park. 100% Egyptian cotton linen and pillow cases to add to your comfort. Overhead fan to cool in the summer and Aranda Faux minx blanket to keep you warm and snug in the winter months.
Double / Twin chalets have 2 standard length single beds pushed together. These beds can be converted to king size with mattress converters.
Bathrooms include en-suite flush toilet, shower and basin with hot water.
Double glass doors open onto a private deck.
Room Facilities
Balcony , Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bed Linen, En Suite Bathroom, Fan, Hand Towels, Laundry Service (Available), Mosquito Nets, Pure Cotton Linen, Queen Bed, Tea / Coffee, Twin Bed, Vanity Cabinet, Wardrobe
Honeymoon suite that can include 2 children on a sleeper couch, lounge area, en-suite flush toilet, shower and basin with hot water. Doors open onto a private deck with spectacular views.
Honeymoon suite that can include 2 children on a sleeper couch, lounge area, en-suite flush toilet, shower and basin with hot water. Doors open onto a private deck with spectacular views.
Honeymoon suite that can include 2 children on a sleeper couch, lounge area, en-suite flush toilet, shower and basin with hot water. Doors open onto a private deck with spectacular views.
Family Lodge 'Ingwe' accommodates 2 adults and 2 children
The 45qm stand alone x1 Family room is an 'A' framed granite under thatch room that are nestled within the granite rocks on top of a Kopje (Hill) overlooking the majestic Matopos National Park. 100% Egyptian cotton linen and pillow cases to add to your comfort. Overhead fan to cool in the summer and Aranda Faux minx blanket to keep you warm and snug in the winter months.
Double / Twin Family room have 2 standard length single beds pushed together. These beds can be converted to king size with mattress converters and 1 double bunk bed.
Bathrooms include en-suite flush toilet, shower and basin with hot water.
Double glass doors open onto a private deck.
Room Facilities
Balcony , Bath Towels, Bed Linen, Bunk Bed, En Suite Bathroom, Fan, Hand Towels, Laundry Facilities, Mosquito Nets, Mosquito Netting, Pure Cotton Linen, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Twin Bed, Vanity Cabinet, Wardrobe
Property Facilities
Activity Desk, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Library, Malaria Free, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Electrical Outlets, Fan, Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Mosquito Nets, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Available Services
24-hour Security, Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Meal on Request, Private Vehicle (Available), Room Service
Activities on Site
Bird Watching, Cycling, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Natural History Tours, Night Drives, Rhino Tracking, Safaris, Walks (Guided), Walks (Self Guided), Wildlife Tours
Activities Nearby
Adrenaline Activities, Battlefield Tours, Bird Watching, Cultural Tours, Cycling, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, General Sightseeing, Hiking, Historical Tours, Mountain Biking, Museums, Natural History Tours, Rhino Tracking, Safaris, Walks (Guided), Walks (Self Guided), Wildlife Tours
Our qualified guides will take our 4 x 4 safari open vehicles into the Matobo National Park. Once in the Park we will pay for our walking permit of US 20.00 per person. From there we proceed to look for the rhino by vehicle. The vehicle is then parked close to where the rhino were last seen or where we can see fresh spoor, and we then continue on foot. Once we have sighted the rhino we accompany a team of National Parks officers up close and personal to get amazing pictures of the white rhino. US 65.00 per person excluding Park Fees and walking permit. It is truly an amazing experience! US 65.00 per person excluding Park Fees US 15.00 per person, and Rhino walking permit US 20.00 per person. Duration 3.5 hours approximately.
We normally do this activity in the afternoon. Safari Vehicle and guide departs from the lodge entering the Park from the Western side. We proceed to Nswatugi cave, which is one of the best quality San rock art sites in the Matobo National Park, and as a reminder is a World Heritage area. Once we have visited the cave, and chatted about the origin and meaning of the rock art paintings, we then proceed via Maleme Dam to Rhodes Grave. We aim to get to Rhodes Grave / Worlds View around sunset, which makes for a wonderful historical tour, and even better sun downers with an incredible view! US 65.00 per person excluding Park fees US 15.00 per person, and Monument fees US 10.00 per person. Duration 4 hours approximately.
If you arrive late in the day, or perhaps just feel like having an easy afternoon, then the drive on the Big Cave property is well worth considering. We have quite a lot of plains game to see, 100 year old grain bins, as well as our own rock art hidden away! We normally land up having sun downers at either Leopard rock, or at Lightning rock. Both have magnificent views. Price US 25.00 per person. Duration 1.5 hours.
We offer a 1.5 hour walk on the property to view rock art, grain bins, balancing rocks and just the general fauna and flora of the Matobo area. The granite is incredibly easy to walk on, and makes for a very pleasant walk. US 10.00 per person. Duration 1.30 hours.
We have been supporting the Whitewaters Secondary School for close to 25 years now. It has been a remarkable project that has taken many different turns over the years. At one point in a severe drought we were feeding the entire school of 480 children lunch every day. Today we are sponsoring over 40 children's education every year through donor funding from our wonderful guests. In addition we are building a large computer block at the school which will have 24 laptop computers for the children to use. This through a Swedish donor Peter Karaszi. Thus guests can visit the school and join classes and chat to the staff, and then we also include a visit to one of the local Ndebele villages, as well as a visit to a traditional healer if requested. US 45.00 per person. No park fees. Duration 3 - 4 hours.
The Leopards Lair is our main dining area which incorporates a 25 meter boulder into the room.The room has a communal dining facility, lounge area, and the " on the rocks "bar. Guests can also access wi-fi in this area as well. Guests can also sit outside on the terrace if they prefer.
On the far eastern side of the property we have Leopard rock, which has an amazing view across to Rhodes Grave and Worlds view. Here we can offer bush breakfasts and bush dinners.
