LUXURY SAFARI PORTFOLIO - Magic of Three Countries

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Set within the Okavango Delta’s community-run Khwai Concession, this beautiful camp is tucked under the trees on the edge of the Khwai River. This river is all that separates the iconic Moremi Game Reserve and the concession, with hippos, elephants and even lions crossing over from time to time. Watching these animals manoeuvre through the water is an exceptional experience for even the most travelled safari veterans.

The elegantly designed camp hosts six standard tents and one family unit, keeping in line with the intimate and exclusive wilderness experience. The new camp effortlessly bridges the gap between luxury accommodation and feeling like you’re in the great African outdoors. Woven baskets and beaded décor, along with modern elements, create an authentic contemporary African style.

During the day, guests can enjoy game drives, walking safaris and mokoro safaris (water levels permitting) on the search for Africa’s big attractions including lion, cheetah, leopard, wild dog, elephant, buffalo, hippo and giraffe. An additional virtue of this area is that guests can head off on night drives and get an up-close and personal experience with some of Africa’s nocturnal and more elusive animals.

Khwai’s biggest drawcard is undoubtedly the plentiful and extraordinary wildlife - you’ll never be bored here!Adventure and relaxation are on offer as guests live out their ultimate safari experience - from setting off on a morning walking safari to enjoying a gin and tonic overlooking the Khwai River.

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Thorntree River lodge is set in Zambia’s Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, just 20 minutes from the famousVictoria Falls.The lodge has drawn inspiration from local customs and cultures to create a modern and contemporary design with tented roof structures to maintain the feel of Authentic Africa.

There are eight standard tented suites and two family suites that are situated along the edge of the mighty Zambezi River. Each unit has its own indoor and outdoor bathroom as well as a luxurious private plunge pool, deck and direct river view.

The main lodge consists of a lounge with an open dining area, where the fine dining experience of African cuisine will come to life. The communal deck is set on the edge of the stunning riverside and is home to a sunken boma area and infinity pool. Wooden decking floats on the edge of the river and moves with the water levels to create an illusion of sailing a boat.

Take advantage of a combination of wildlife, culture and adrenalin activities on offer in the area. From our lodge in, we offer daily excursions to the Zambian side (and Zimbabwean side – in the dry season) side of The Victoria Falls, private river cruises, cultural visits, fishing expeditions, canoeing, rhino tracking and game drives, all included in your stay. Additionally, we can book external activities such as guided rainforest walks, bungee jumping and helicopter flips over ‘The Smoke thatThunders’ on your behalf.

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Victoria Falls is a famed must-see on any visit to Southern Africa. A waterfall of truly epic proportions, also known as “the smoke that thunders” – to this day Victoria Falls remains one of the most spectacular natural seven wonders of the world.

Whatever time of year you see the Falls, there’s no doubt you will be awe-struck, but visit between February and June in particular and you’ll witness first-hand how the Zambezi River fills from the rains in Northern Zambia and Angola, causing an enormous and powerful volume of water to flow over the Falls.

Victoria Falls Town is an amazing place base yourself while you explore the area, offering travellers an incredible experience. From the breath-taking falls to the historical buildings and local food it is a truly immersive and rememberable experience. Victoria Falls is an adventure lovers dream, during the dryer months take a dip in Devil’s Pool right on the edge of the falls – not for the faint-hearted – or enjoy the year-round opportunities for bungee jumping, helicopter flights and white-water rafting.

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Hwange is known as ‘the land of the giants’ for its big elephant herds and Somalisa, set on a private concession in the heart of Hwange National Park is famous for its up close encounters with elephants that love to drink from the pool in front of camp. Tucked away under the dappled shade of an acacia grove, along the edge of an ancient seasonal flood plain, Somalisa provides guests with breathtaking views of the golden savannah plains of Hwange.

Somalisa has seven elegant sail tents and is a place of simple luxury where the focus is on out guest experience to ensure a safari adventure that exceeds your dreams. This intimate bush camp is perfect for relaxing with friends and loved ones. Your tent is replete with modern appointments such as a fan, a battery charging station, wood-burning fireplace and private viewing deck. Your bathroom, worthy of a special mention, is inspired by the romance of yesteryear, boasts an indoor and outdoor bathroom and features a copper slipper-style bathtub and endless views across the vast plains beyond.

With a full solar power farm and water purity system which allows the camp to recycle 80% water used. Somalisa Camp is leading the way in eco-friendly safari accommodation and has been awarded the first GOLD GreenTourism Certification in Zimbabwe.

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Hwange National Park is the largest in Zimbabwe, covering an impressive 14,650 sq km, with the main entrance located a two-hour drive or 30-minute flight south of Victoria Falls. The park is named after a local Nhanzwa chief, and was once the royal hunting ground for the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi, before being classified as a protected National Park in 1929.

As you’d expect from a park of this size, the breadth of wildlife species is astounding. Over 100 species of mammals reside here, whilst almost 400 species of birds decorate the skies. Perhaps most exciting is the 40,000-strong population of tusker elephants, whose presence is world-renowned and a joy to watch day after day.

The dry season (from July to October) is the best time to visit Hwange, as large concentrations of wildlife– particularly the wonderful elephant herds – descend upon the area to drink from the waterholes in order to survive in this hot and unforgiving environment. Yet, whilst the rains from December to March will see the wildlife dispersing across the park, thus making them harder to spot, the summer showers also bring forth stunning vegetation. This ensures mesmeric bird-watching opportunities as the local population finds itself bolstered by the migrants coming down from the Northern Hemisphere. Hwange National Park truly is a year-round wonderland.

Teeming with wildlife, Hwange is home to the worlds largest population of elephant, along with buffalo, sable, roan antelope, giraffe, wildebeest, impala, gemsbok, hyena, wild dog and over 400 bird species including the racket-tailed roller, carmine bee-eater, and southern ground hornbill to name a few.

January in Hwange is a very green affair. As the rains hit the desert sands, the vegetation comes to life turning the landscape into a photographers dream. Generally, the rainy season consists of dramatic afternoon thunderstorms with large billowing clouds. The rains can continue into the night, cooling things down from the usual hot temperatures during the day. January is a great time of the year for birders as the migrants are in full breeding plumage to attract mates for the season. There are lots of baby impala and other animals around that are a month or two old. Larger family herds of elephant and the younger bulls have moved off into the deeper Mopane woodlands. Older bulls and some family herds remain and will still frequent the waterhole. With less competition at the waterholes, now that the larger herds of elephants have moved off, it gives the smaller animals a chance to come out and be seen. Animals like African wild cats, bat eared foxes, steenbok other shyer animals are seen more often at this time of the year. Lion, leopard, and cheetah are resident and so remain in the area, but may still be tricky to see as they patrol their territories which can extend past the concession boundaries. Wild dogs are seen occasionally as they move large distances each day in search of prey. January is a great time for photographers with green vegetation and often very dramatic cloud formations and clear air. Walking safaris may not always be possible as the vegetation can be too thick, which can be dangerous. Birders will also love this time of the year with the extra numbers of species due to the migrants in the area. With the mixed habitats of Hwange, the bird numbers are quite high. Daytime temperatures can go into the high 30°C but with the rains, this can drop down making it quite cool and so a light jacket or fleece is advisable.