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Hotel website: The Hwange Safari Lodge
Tip: Try booking a room at the newly refurbished wing, the Kings Club
The Hwange Safari Lodge features in our top 10 lists of Zimbabwe’s best luxury lodges.
Have you ever stayed at Hwange Safari Lodge? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.
Holiday Guide Review includes:
- The Good Parts
- The Not-So-Good Parts
- Our Opinion
- Dining
- Facilities
- Activities
- How to get there
- Ratings
- Photos
THE GOOD PARTS OF THE HOTEL REVIEW
Hwange Safari Lodge sits right in the periphery of the Hwange National Park, offering magnificent views of the surrounding African landscape and the savannah of the surrounding jungles. Hwange Safari Lodge offers the best of both worlds, as it a tranquil retreat surrounded by wilderness and open spaces, yet provides all the amenities of the modern world. The lodge is a a two-hour drive (185 kilometres) from the international airport at Victoria Falls. The property is conveniently located just off the main Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway making it easy for you to reach there.
A beautifully designed welcome area is located at the center of the expansive resort grounds. Inside, the light-filled, high-ceilinged pavilion houses a reception area, large lounge area and the signature restaurant Dingani. Outside the lobby building is an expansive ground which also has a small swimming pool that offers lovely panoramic views of the savannah and the watering hole. Here, guests can socialize around fire pits under a magical starlit sky, while traditional music is played at selected nights.
Surrounded by the wilderness of the adjoining Sikumi Forest Reserve, the lodge grounds overlook a floodlit waterhole where you can sight some wildlife at any time of the day or night.
Offering sweeping views though the room’s windows, the lodge’s beautiful interiors are framed by subtle references to local architecture, seen in the simple lines of the natural timber furniture and the presence of locally-inspired touches, such as handmade paintings and local artefacts. Old solid wood is repurposed into table and bench tops, while handcrafted rust-colored bricks are used for many structures.
During my visit, I stayed in one of the standard rooms, which are all housed along long corridors on either side of the main reception area. Designed in soft tones and simple lines, the open-plan suite featured a sitting area beside the double bed, and a bathroom equipped with a shower. The wooden windows provided awe-inspiring views of the all encompassing African savannah.
Guests can choose to dine in the lawns in the open air or at Dingani, the lodge’s main restaurant. The latter is located adjacent to the lobby and serves a limited list of cuisines. The lodge’s chefs prepare delicious and healthy cuisine, always made with organic ingredients. There is always a choice between Western, International and locally inspired dishes. The superb à la carte breakfast is also served at Dingani.
The lodge is operated by the renowned African Sun Group, one of my favourite hotel brands in Southern Africa. African Sun resorts & hotels are always located in some of the world’s most unique and beautiful places. Whether it be an African Sun resort on a remote area around Lake Kariba or an African Sun resort in an exciting urban setting, the touch-points are always decidedly the same.
I have previous reviewed the African Sun hotel in Victoria Falls – the Kingdom Hotel.
As you may expect from the African Sun brand, the Hwange lodge provides impeccable, world-class service. Similar to other African Sun resorts, all guest queries are handled to maximum satisfaction to ensure that your experience is memorable.
Hwange Safari Lodge dramatic location makes for a spectacular introduction to the nearby Hwange National park as most wildlife safaris and adventures begin here. Hwange Safari Lodge is one of best lodges in this remote area of Zimbabwe, and I highly recommend to combine a stay here with a stay at some of the other African Sun lodges to immerse yourself in Zimbabwe’s wildlife, heritage and hospitality. As you journey through the vertiginous scenery of rural Zimbabwe, you will find meaningful and uplifting experiences at every turn. Each lodge and hotel has a unique character and all embrace the African Sun guiding principles, which include top-level services, sumptuous food, comfortable rooms and a typically African ambience.
THE NOT-SO-GOOD PARTS
Hwange Safari Lodge is a luxurious retreat, offering fabulous views, a serene ambiance, spacious accommodations, world-class service, delicious food and extensive adventure opportunities. There’s little to say against the resort, except for the following:
The lodge is quiet old – it was built in 1973 and is due for a much needed upgrade.
During my visit, the landscaping was not finished, and as a result, the resort grounds looked sandy, barren and a bit unattractive. That said, I learned that the vegetation has matured since my stay (due to the past monsoon season), so the resort grounds should be lush and green on any future visit.
I was later informed that the Hwange Safari Lodge is being completely refurbished and should be sporting an upgraded look by next year.
OUR OPINION
• Good location overlooking busy waterhole
• Onsite game viewing activities, plus tour to painted dog conservancy
• Located just outside the Hwange National Park boundary on its own private concession
• Easy access on good tar road – 185km from Victoria Falls
• Comfortable hotel rooms and suites
• Affordable price range with a variety of options from B&B to fully inclusive
• Suitable for all types of travellers – from single to large groups
• Ideal for self-drive tourists
• Hotel experience – rather than an intimate safari experience
FACILITIES AND SERVICES
• Parking and car wash
• Dry cleaning and laundry service
• Baby sitting service
• Credit card facilities
• Wheelchair access
• Expert guides and staff
• Safety deposit boxes
• Tennis courts
• Table tennis and indoor games
• Swimming pool and deck
• Raised viewing platform to watch nearby game
ACTIVITIES:
• Game drives (early morning, afternoon and night drives);
• Walking safari;
• Village visits (cultural and pottery village);
• Trips to Painted Dog Conservancy
Fully Inclusive Rates Include:
• Accommodation
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner and soft drinks
• 1 activity per day
DINING
• Poolside restaurant serving light snacks and buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, and barbeque
• Dingani Restaurant serving a la carte meals
• Bush dinners available on request
• Outside Water Hole bar opens seasonally or on request
HOW TO GET THERE
Hwange Safari Lodge is a two-hour drive from Victoria Falls Airport. If you decide to drive, it will take a 9-hour long drive from Harare. You can also fly to Hwange Park airstrip and arrange transfer to Hwange Safari Lodge
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