Situated in one of Hwange’s last remaining well-protected and unspoilt acacia woodlands, on the edge of the south-eastern corner of Hwange National Park, is Camelthorn Lodge. It was built by the local community on community-owned land, with a stone and thatch structure, unique in its design. The centre-piece is a huge ancient Camelthorn tree spanning the 35-metre outdoor dining area. With accommodation in just eight luxuriously furnished forest villas, cool in the summer months and cosy in the winter season, each has an en-suite bathroom featuring a large bath tub in front of a feature window looking out over the bush beyond, a fireplace and a private deck. Surrounded by true wilderness the woodland attracts some of the smaller creatures – bushbuck, mongoose, squirrels and an abundance of colourful birdlife. A short distance away inside Hwange National Park itself is an underground hide in front of a waterhole where animals can be photographed at really close proximity, for that classic shot! The activities on offer here include traditional open vehicle day and night drives, and game walks with the friendly and knowledgeable guides, romantic dining under the stars, and opportunities to engage with the local village life during school and village visits. The local community really benefits from your tourism dollar here with a portion of the revenue given back to them to be used to develop infrastructure such as domestic water supplies, health care, school buildings, teaching tools, and teachers training workshops.
Camelthorn Lodge can also offer unique arrival or departure transfers by rail for those guests coming from or going on to Victoria Falls. This transforms a standard transfer service into a scheduled activity by using the railway line that runs along Hwange’s northern boundary. The ‘Elephant Express’ rail car ensures a fabulous experience on the two-hour journey through the park, with the feeling that you have been transported back in time to an era when safari by rail was all part of the adventure. With seating for up to 22 passengers, the finishes are comfortable and elegant with individual seats, toilet, teak tables, plenty of space for luggage and a large aisle that allows for comfortable movement and provides unrestricted game viewing.
