Camelthorn Lodge
Camelthorn Lodge is nestled in the cool acacia woodlands on the southern edge of Ngamo’s famous Plains to the South East of Hwange National Park. The Plains are home to vast open grasslands and forest groves… a landscape which changes with the seasons. Hwange is home to over 100 species of mammals, including nineteen large herbivore and eight large carnivore species, and nearly 400 species of birds. Hwange is also elephant country. Camelthorn Lodge lies within the Tsholotsho Communal area and is directly linked with local communities making this a true eco-tourism property.
Accommodation at Camelthorn is in 8 luxuriously furnished forest villas (some 82 square metres in size) that are cool in the hot months and warm and cosy in the cold months. The Villa has a flat room and stone walls, and has a large bedroom and lounge area. Each villa has a private en-suite bathroom with a bath and feature window overlooking the woodland. In addition, there is a large shower, closed off toilet, and fireplace. Your villa also boasts a private ground level deck, upstairs outdoor maisonette with hammock and day bed. Amenities include overhead fans, fire place, minibar, hair dryer, tea/ coffee station and mosquito net.
The woodlands surrounding the Villas is dotted with small water baths that attract some of the smaller woodland dwellers such as bushbuck, mongoose, squirrels and an abundance of interesting and colourful birdlife.
The main lodge is unique in its style and design and has as its centre piece a huge ancient Camelthorn tree that spans a 35-metre outdoor dining area. This main area is a stone building with a thatch roof, it is a U shape with the Camelthorn tree at its centre. The western wing of the U is the dining room, which boasts 3 fireplaces. The central part of the building is open and has the reception and lounge areas, while the east wing house the bar and another lounge area set on a raised deck. Guests can enjoy the use of free Wi-Fi in the main lodge area, and there is also Cell phone reception.
Activities at Camelthorn Lodge area varied. You can enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in traditional open safari vehicles. Full day drives are also an option.
Night drives within the lodge’s private concession are very popular, and a great way to see the nocturnally active species. Usually night drives are undertaken upon return from the afternoon activity or alternatively after supper.
15 boreholes are looked after in and on the borders of the national park which provide essential water to the wildlife during the dry months of the year. 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.
Less than a kilometre away from Camelthorn, and inside Hwange National Park, guests can also get closer to nature at the underground hide. This is set in front of a beautifully located waterhole - elephants can be photographed from toe level silhouetted against the sky at a distance of 25 feet.
Fifteen minutes’ drive from the lodge you also have the opportunity to enjoy a look at village life in rural Matabeleland. This can be a fascinating experience, and is usually 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’ (School visits not available in April, August and December during school holidays).
The great scenery close the Lodge is ideal for horse-riding and several activity options have been designed for riders of different experience levels. All rides are led by experienced, qualified guides and trackers. The pace is determined by safety and terrain and is mostly fast walking and trotting. Where possible in open areas you are able to canter and gallop. This is an optional activity, at an additional cost.
Guests can also enjoy in-house spa treatments at Camelthorn. These are available at an additional charge - prices and treatment options are available on request.
Camelthorn can be accessed easily by road from both Bulawayo and Victoria Falls, but you can also experience a 2 hour road transfer from Victoria Falls to Dete and then a 2.5 hour rail car transfer from Dete Railway Station. The Rail Car is unique to Camelthorn and Bomani (the sister lodge).
Children under the age of 7 are only allowed by special arrangement at Camelthorn Lodge.
Accommodation at Camelthorn is in 8 luxuriously furnished forest villas (some 82 square metres in size) that are cool in the hot months and warm and cosy in the cold months. The Villa has a flat room and stone walls, and has a large bedroom and lounge area. Each villa has a private en-suite bathroom with a bath and feature window overlooking the woodland. In addition, there is a large shower, closed off toilet, and fireplace. Your villa also boasts a private ground level deck, upstairs outdoor maisonette with hammock and day bed. Amenities include overhead fans, fire place, minibar, hair dryer, tea/ coffee station and mosquito net.
The woodlands surrounding the Villas is dotted with small water baths that attract some of the smaller woodland dwellers such as bushbuck, mongoose, squirrels and an abundance of interesting and colourful birdlife.
The main lodge is unique in its style and design and has as its centre piece a huge ancient Camelthorn tree that spans a 35-metre outdoor dining area. This main area is a stone building with a thatch roof, it is a U shape with the Camelthorn tree at its centre. The western wing of the U is the dining room, which boasts 3 fireplaces. The central part of the building is open and has the reception and lounge areas, while the east wing house the bar and another lounge area set on a raised deck. Guests can enjoy the use of free Wi-Fi in the main lodge area, and there is also Cell phone reception.
Activities at Camelthorn Lodge area varied. You can enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in traditional open safari vehicles. Full day drives are also an option.
Night drives within the lodge’s private concession are very popular, and a great way to see the nocturnally active species. Usually night drives are undertaken upon return from the afternoon activity or alternatively after supper.
15 boreholes are looked after in and on the borders of the national park which provide essential water to the wildlife during the dry months of the year. 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.
Less than a kilometre away from Camelthorn, and inside Hwange National Park, guests can also get closer to nature at the underground hide. This is set in front of a beautifully located waterhole - elephants can be photographed from toe level silhouetted against the sky at a distance of 25 feet.
Fifteen minutes’ drive from the lodge you also have the opportunity to enjoy a look at village life in rural Matabeleland. This can be a fascinating experience, and is usually 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’ (School visits not available in April, August and December during school holidays).
The great scenery close the Lodge is ideal for horse-riding and several activity options have been designed for riders of different experience levels. All rides are led by experienced, qualified guides and trackers. The pace is determined by safety and terrain and is mostly fast walking and trotting. Where possible in open areas you are able to canter and gallop. This is an optional activity, at an additional cost.
Guests can also enjoy in-house spa treatments at Camelthorn. These are available at an additional charge - prices and treatment options are available on request.
Camelthorn can be accessed easily by road from both Bulawayo and Victoria Falls, but you can also experience a 2 hour road transfer from Victoria Falls to Dete and then a 2.5 hour rail car transfer from Dete Railway Station. The Rail Car is unique to Camelthorn and Bomani (the sister lodge).
Children under the age of 7 are only allowed by special arrangement at Camelthorn Lodge.
