Somalisa Camp

Why book?

One of the marquee addresses in the African Bush Camps network, Somalisa offers a simple, unpretentious luxury safari experience in one of Africa’s premier locations for wildlife spotting and straight-up natural beauty, while living up to ABC’s reputation for offering top-notch bush guides.

Set the scene

Though Somalisa is just a 45-minute drive from Victoria Falls, it feels like it’s genuinely in the middle of nowhere. The road from the airstrip through Hwange National Park was formerly a track used for anti-poaching efforts, transporting supplies, and other park activities. After passing through a stand of acacia trees, you reach the camp, which sits on what once was an island, in the middle of a dry riverbed that runs in parallel to the Okavango Delta, all the way to the Indian Ocean. The collection of tented buildings is arranged to maximise viewing of one of Somalisa’s prime assets: a watering hole that the area’s elephants make ample use of.

The backstory

While working as a guide for Wilderness Safaris in the aughts, African Bush Camps founder Beks Ndlovu fell in love with this portion of the legendary Hwange National Park, and spent years lobbying the Zimbabwean government for a tender. When he got it after two years, he built Somalisa, which opened in 2006; it remains the cornerstone of African Bush Camps, which today has 18 locations across Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana, making it the largest Black-owned safari operator in Africa. Somalisa got a top-to-toe redo in 2016.

The rooms

The seven tented guest rooms, which underwent a redesign along with the rest of Somalisa in 2016, feature the kind of modern, tasteful safari aesthetic for which African Bush Camps has become known. There’s a big four-poster bed, steamer trunks, zebra-hide rugs, free-standing copper tubs, and a fireplace for cold nights during the rainy season. Best of all is the sense of total privacy from the adjacent rooms, along with the privileged view of the elephants’ waterhole, just yards away.

Food and drink

Expect home-style meals that emphasise fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as traditional African flavours. As this is a premium safari experience, sundowners with tasty canapés and G&Ts are available upon request; specialised culinary experiences, such as a bush breakfast or a candlelit dinner under the stars, are also available.

The neighbourhood/area

Somalisa is located near the eastern tip of Hwange National Park, sometimes referred to as the Land of the Giants for its legendary elephant herds. The sister camps, Somalisa Acacia and Somalisa Expeditions, are nearby, but from the camp, all you will see is savannah, and when you leave it will be to go into the bush.

The service
This is part of what makes Somalisa, and African Bush Camps in general, legendary. At the camp, the service is friendly and relaxed, but you will spend much of your day with your bush guide, and Somalisa has some of the best. All are native Zimbabweans and deeply versed on the history of the park, the behaviour of the animals, and the culture of the region. The camp runs a guide recertification program every year, so whether you need photography tips, information about the constellations, or emergency medical attention, they’re ready.

For families

Families are welcome, but if the kids are young, you might also consider Somalisa’s nearby sister camp, Somalisa Acacia, which caters specifically to families. One of its features is a pair of family tents with walkways between the parents' and children’s rooms. It also offers the kid-focused Ngwana Club.

Eco effort

Somalisa is entirely solar-powered and features a water purification system that enables it to recycle up to 80 per cent of the water it uses. It was the first-ever recipient of the GOLD Green Tourism Certification in Zimbabwe.

Accessibility

The main entrance is wheelchair-accessible; however, due to the camp’s remote location in the bush, it is advisable to contact Somalisa in advance with any specific accessibility concerns.