Bumi Hills Safari Lodge
Highlights
- Sunrise and sunset views across Lake Kariba from a hilltop setting
- Tigerfish and bream fishing on Lake Kariba
- Dinosaur Island and fossilised dinosaur footprints
- Scenic flight over the Kariba dam wall and Matusadona National Park
- Game drives, walking safaris and boat cruises
- That beautiful infinity pool overlooking Lake Kariba
- The private Baobab Villa for families and honeymooners
Information
- Lodge type: Safari Lodge
- Location: Southern shore of Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
- Lodge size: 10 suites plus the two-bedroom Baobab Villa
- Recommended stay: 3–7 nights
- Malaria risk: High. Lake Kariba is a malaria area year-round, peaking November to April, so antimalarials are recommended
- Getting there: About 370 km from Harare by road to Kariba (around 4 hours), then a 90-minute speedboat crossing. Light aircraft takes about 1 hour 15 minutes from Harare and 1 hour 30 minutes from Victoria Falls, landing at the Bumi Hills airstrip 15 minutes from the lodge
Bumi Hills High Up On A Hillside, A Lodge With Spectacular Views Out Over Lake Kariba
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge is a 10-suite hilltop lodge on the southern shore of Lake Kariba in northern Zimbabwe. African Bush Camps runs it on a private safari concession near Matusadona National Park. Few lodges anywhere in Southern Africa hold such a commanding position. Every suite, the dining deck and the infinity pool look straight out over the lake, where elephant, buffalo, kudu and impala graze the shoreline and lions call through the night. African Bush Camps reopened the lodge in January 2018 after a US$3 million renovation.
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge combines a classic bush safari with a lake safari in one stay. Guests can do game drives, walking safaris, boating, fishing, village visits and sunset cruises on Lake Kariba, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. Nearly 400 bird species have been recorded in this region of Zimbabwe, from fish eagles on the drowned trees to kingfishers along the shore.
In our opinion, a few nights at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge is a must on any Zimbabwe safari. It is the most scenic of all the Lake Kariba Lodges and pairs superbly with Hwange, Mana Pools or Victoria Falls.
Rooms and Suites
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge has 10 luxury suites and one private two-bedroom villa, each positioned for privacy and uninterrupted views over Lake Kariba. Every suite has a king bed (convertible to twins), a private viewing deck above the shoreline, air conditioning, a minibar, an in-room safe and charging points. The en-suite bathrooms have a freestanding bath for two, indoor and outdoor showers, a hairdryer and a full range of toiletries. It is the perfect spot to watch elephant wander the water's edge below.
The Baobab Villa at Bumi Hills is the choice for families, small groups and anyone wanting extra privacy. The villa has two large bedrooms, a living room with bar, indoor and outdoor dining decks, and its own butler, guide and dedicated safari vehicle.
Cuisine and Wine
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge serves fine dining at every meal: breakfast, lunch, high tea and dinner. Tables are set both indoors and out on decks overlooking Lake Kariba. All meals and beverages are included, apart from premium imported spirits and champagne. Private dining can be arranged on request for anniversaries, honeymoons and other special occasions.
Facilities
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge's main guest area holds a lounge with internet access, a snooker room, a TV lounge and a curio shop. It all opens onto the infinity pool and lake-view decks. For groups, the lodge has an air-conditioned conference room seating up to 40 delegates and a boardroom for 12. The wellness area adds a spa chill pool, steam room, massage tents, relaxation area and sundeck. The lodge runs on solar power, with 220-volt sockets in the suites.
Activities
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge offers the widest mix of land and water activities on Lake Kariba. The line-up includes:
- Game drives in open vehicles
- Walking safaris along the lakeshore with specialist guides
- Boat cruises and a sunset cruise, timed for the famous Kariba sunsets
- Tigerfish and bream fishing
- Birding from the hide
- Night drives and stargazing
- Cultural visits to nearby communities
The concession holds elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hippo and crocodile. For something special, guests can book the Lady Jacqueline, a luxury houseboat that takes up to eight guests on half-day or overnight cruises. It has two queen bedrooms, two bunk rooms, a plunge pool and an air-conditioned lounge.
Child Friendly
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge welcomes children of all ages, and is best suited to children aged 8 and older. Older children get the most from the boat cruises, fishing and game drives. Families usually book the two-bedroom Baobab Villa, which comes with its own guide and vehicle so the day can run on the children's timetable.
Spa and Wellness
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge has a small spa and wellness centre with massage tents, a steam room and a chill pool, plus a compact, well-equipped gym. A massage between the morning game drive and the afternoon cruise, with Lake Kariba spread out below, is pure indulgence.
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge FAQs
Where is Bumi Hills Safari Lodge?
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge sits on a hilltop above the southern shore of Lake Kariba in Mashonaland West, northern Zimbabwe. It occupies a private safari concession near Matusadona National Park, roughly 55 km south-west of Kariba town. Most guests arrive by light aircraft, landing on the Bumi Hills airstrip, which is about a 15-minute game drive from the lodge.
How do you get to Bumi Hills Safari Lodge?
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge is easiest to reach by light aircraft. Flights take about 1 hour 15 minutes from Harare, 1 hour 30 minutes from Victoria Falls and just over an hour from Hwange National Park. By road, it is about 370 km from Harare to Kariba town on the tarred A1, roughly four hours' drive, followed by a 90-minute speedboat crossing of Lake Kariba.
Is Bumi Hills Safari Lodge in a malaria area?
Yes, Bumi Hills Safari Lodge is in a malaria area. The Lake Kariba shoreline and Zambezi Valley carry malaria risk all year, with mosquito activity highest during the November to April rains. Guests should take antimalarial medication prescribed by a travel doctor and pack long sleeves and repellent for evenings. Families who need a malaria-free safari should consider Madikwe or the Eastern Cape reserves in South Africa instead.
What activities are offered at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge?
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge offers game drives in open vehicles, guided walks along the Lake Kariba shoreline, boat and sunset cruises, tigerfish and bream fishing, birding from a hide, night drives, stargazing and community visits. Elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, lion and leopard all occur on the concession. Guests can also book the Lady Jacqueline, a luxury houseboat that takes up to eight guests on half-day or overnight cruises.
Is Bumi Hills Safari Lodge suitable for children?
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge welcomes children of all ages, though it is best suited to children aged eight and older, who get the most from the boating, fishing and game drives. Families usually book the Baobab Villa. This private two-bedroom villa has its own living area, indoor and outdoor dining decks, butler, guide and dedicated vehicle, which makes it ideal for a family safari on Lake Kariba.
When is the best time to visit Bumi Hills Safari Lodge?
The best game viewing at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge comes in the dry season, June to October. In those months the bush thins out and elephant, buffalo and plains game come down to drink along the Lake Kariba shoreline. October is the hottest month. The November to April rains bring green landscapes, dramatic storms, migrant birds and fewer visitors, though malaria risk is then at its highest.
In Conclusion
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge offers one of the finest views in Southern Africa, set on a hilltop above Lake Kariba. Ten beautifully appointed suites and a private villa look out over an inland sea where elephant walk the shoreline at dawn and the sun sets in a blaze of orange behind the drowned forest. Few lodges combine a bush safari and a lake safari this well. In one stay you can take a morning game drive, go fishing for tigerfish at noon and enjoy a sundowner cruise to finish the day.
The easiest way to get there is a light-aircraft hop from Harare, Victoria Falls or Hwange, and three nights is the sweet spot. Bumi Hills slots in perfectly between the elephant herds of Hwange and the thundering spray of Victoria Falls, or alongside a walking safari in Mana Pools. Come between June and October for the best game at the water's edge. Choose the green season from November to April for storms, birds and a quieter lake.
Uyaphi.com has been planning tailor-made African safaris since 1999, and 27 years of arranging Zimbabwe itineraries means we know how to link Bumi Hills with the right flights, lodges and seasons. There are no booking fees and no credit card surcharges. Let us build your Lake Kariba safari around you.
Rates form part of a safari itinerary
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge Rates
Per person per night sharing
Rates are in US Dollar
*Rates may vary according to season
- Accommodation
- All meals
- All beverages
- Two game viewing activities per day
- Laundry
- Transfers from nearest airstrip
- Bumi Hills Anti-poaching Unit donation
- Premium imported spirits and champagne
- All flights
- All transfers
- All other transfer not mentioned
- Gratuities
- Other government fees
- Travel insurance
- Items of a personal nature
- Spa and wellness treatments
Book This Zimbabwe Lodge Now
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