Nantwich Lodge Hwange
Highlights
- Nine rooms on a ridge above Nantwich Dam, home to resident hippos and crocodiles
- A 1960s heritage camp rebuilt from ruin by Hideaways Africa and thriller author Tony Park
- Game drives, guided bush walks and night drives on the private concession
- An outside bath at every room, with solar-heated water
- Four rooms with inter-leading doors for families and friends travelling together
- Main lodge in the restored Isilwane Lodge, with lounges, dining room and swimming pool
- Northern Hwange's remarkable plant diversity, superb for birders
- Fully inclusive: all meals, house wine, beers and soft drinks, laundry and two activities a day
- Two hours by road from Victoria Falls town, or 30 minutes by light aircraft
Information
- Lodge type: Classic Safari Lodge
- Location: Northern Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
- Lodge size: 9 Thatched Suites (6 standard, 3 superior)
- Recommended stay: 3-7 nights
- Malaria risk: Yes — Hwange National Park is a malaria area; take prophylaxis, with the highest risk in the rainy season from November to April
- Getting there: 1 hr 30 min by road from Victoria Falls Airport (2 hrs from Victoria Falls town); 30 min by light aircraft or 20 min by helicopter to Robins Airstrip
Uncover the Magic of Hideaways Nantwich Lodge: Your Gateway to Authentic Safari Adventures!
Hideaways Nantwich Lodge is a nine-room safari lodge in Northern Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. It sits on a ridge above Nantwich Dam, two hours' drive from Victoria Falls town. It is one of the most rewarding ways to see Hwange: a small, owner-hosted camp in the park's wild northern sector, a long way from the busier Main Camp side.
Hideaways Nantwich Lodge has a history older than most of Hwange's camps. The land was first farmed by Percy Durban Crewe from 1893. Three two-bedroom cottages went up above Nantwich Dam in 1961. In the 1960s the Wankie Colliery Company added the three-bedroom Isilwane Lodge for its executives and guests. Decades of decline and a fire left the site in ruins. In 2018 Hideaways Africa and a small group of investors, including author Tony Park and his wife Nicola, took the lease and rebuilt it. The three cottages became nine rooms, and Isilwane was restored as the lounge and dining lodge.
Nantwich Dam is the heart of the lodge, and one of its greatest pleasures. Hippos and crocodiles live in it, and elephants and plains game come down to drink within sight of the rooms. That makes the time between activities almost as good as the drives themselves. The remote setting keeps guest numbers low and supports conservation in this less-visited corner of the park.
Rooms And Suites
Hideaways Nantwich Lodge has nine rooms, each sleeping two guests: six standard rooms and three superior rooms. Four rooms have inter-leading doors, so families or friends can share a unit and still keep their own space. Children aged 7 and older are welcome.
Every room at Nantwich has an en-suite bathroom with a spacious shower and double basin. Each also has an outside bath, one of the loveliest spots in the lodge for a long soak after an afternoon drive. Beds are draped with mosquito netting. Hot water comes from solar-powered geysers, part of the eco-friendly rebuild that gives the heritage cottages a fresh, modern purpose without losing their character.
Cuisine And Wine
Hideaways Nantwich Lodge serves all meals on a fully inclusive basis. Water, soft drinks, beers, ciders, mixers and house wine are all included in the rate; only imported and premium-brand drinks are extra. The kitchen blends Zimbabwean flavours with international dishes, cooked from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Meals at Nantwich move with the day. Lunch is taken on the terrace above the dam, and dinner is often served under a sky crowded with stars. A glass of wine with hippos grunting in the dark below is a very fine way to end a Hwange day.
Facilities
Hideaways Nantwich Lodge centres its shared facilities on the restored Isilwane Lodge building, which houses the lounge and dining area:
- Wireless internet in the main lodge building only; mobile signal is limited
- A dining area overlooking Nantwich Dam
- Inside and outside lounge areas
- A swimming pool for the hot months
- A mobile spa on request
- Credit card facilities
- A safe for valuables
- Laundry, included in the rate
Activities
Hideaways Nantwich Lodge includes two shared guided activities a day in its rate. These are morning and afternoon game drives in Northern Hwange National Park, guided bush walks (seasonal and subject to availability), night drives on the private concession, and birding outings. Night drives are the great bonus here, giving a real chance at the nocturnal species most Hwange visitors never see.
Northern Hwange is prized for plant life as much as wildlife. Botanist Gus le Breton has described the area as a plant lover's paradise. The richer woodland and seasonal wetlands draw an outstanding variety of birds, especially between November and April. The dry months from July to October bring the best big-game viewing, as elephants, buffalo and predators concentrate around the remaining water, Nantwich Dam included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hideaways Nantwich Lodge?
Hideaways Nantwich Lodge is in Northern Hwange National Park, in the Matabeleland North region of western Zimbabwe. The lodge stands on a ridge above Nantwich Dam, close to Robins Airstrip and the Nantwich entrance gate. The northern sector is much quieter than the Main Camp area in the east of the park. Victoria Falls town is two hours away by road.
How do you get to Hideaways Nantwich Lodge from Victoria Falls?
Hideaways Nantwich Lodge is 1 hour 30 minutes by road from Victoria Falls Airport and 2 hours from Victoria Falls town. By air, it is 30 minutes by light aircraft or 20 minutes by helicopter to Robins Airstrip. The lodge's rates include the road transfer from Robins Airstrip or Nantwich Gate. Late arrivals risk reaching the park after the gates close, so a first night in Victoria Falls is sensible.
Is Hideaways Nantwich Lodge in a malaria area?
Hideaways Nantwich Lodge is in a malaria area. Hwange National Park carries malaria risk year-round, and the risk is highest in the rainy season from November to April. Guests should take prophylaxis prescribed by a doctor or travel clinic before arrival. Every room has mosquito netting over the beds. Long sleeves, trousers and repellent in the evenings are also recommended.
What activities are included at Hideaways Nantwich Lodge?
Hideaways Nantwich Lodge includes two shared guided activities a day in its rates. These are morning and afternoon game drives in Northern Hwange National Park, guided bush walks (seasonal and subject to availability), night drives on the lodge's private concession, and birding outings. Nantwich Dam, in front of the lodge, draws elephants and plains game, and has resident hippos and crocodiles.
Can children stay at Hideaways Nantwich Lodge?
Hideaways Nantwich Lodge welcomes children aged 7 and older. Four of the lodge's nine rooms have inter-leading doors, so a family can share a connected unit while each room keeps its own en-suite bathroom and outside bath. There is a swimming pool at the main lodge. Minimum ages for bush walks are usually stricter than for game drives, so confirm walking plans for children when booking.
When is the best time to visit Hideaways Nantwich Lodge?
Hideaways Nantwich Lodge is open all year, and July to October is the best time for game viewing. In these dry months, wildlife concentrates around Nantwich Dam and Hwange's waterholes. November to April is the rainy green season, best for birding, lush scenery and lower rates. May and June offer cool, dry weather and shoulder-season pricing.
In Conclusion
Hideaways Nantwich Lodge is one of the best choices in Hwange for travellers who want the park's quieter northern side without giving up comfort. There are only nine rooms. It has a dam full of hippos and crocodiles below the deck, and a 1960s camp rebuilt with real care. Night drives, bush walks and superb birding add depth you rarely get on a standard Hwange stay.
Hideaways Nantwich Lodge also slots neatly into a wider Zimbabwe safari. It is two hours by road or 30 minutes by air from Victoria Falls, so pair a night or two at the Falls with three to four nights at Nantwich. Add Mana Pools or Matobo to complete the journey. Come from July to October for the best game, or from November to April for birds, green landscapes and better-value rates.
Uyaphi.com has been planning tailor-made African safaris since 1999. That's 27 years of matching travellers to the right lodge, the right season and the right transfers. Tell us your dates and we'll build a Zimbabwe itinerary around Nantwich that works from the first transfer to the last sundowner. There are no booking fees and no credit card surcharges.
Rates from US$ 445.00 Per person per night
Hideaways Nantwich Lodge Rates
Per person per night sharing
Rates are in US Dollar
*Rates may vary according to season
- Accommodation
- All meals, water, soft drinks, beers, ciders, mixers, and house wine
- Two shared activities per day (game drives/walks
- road transfers to/from Robins Airstrip/Nantwich ;Gate
- Laundry
- All frights
- All transfers
- Imported and premium brand drinks
- Grow Africa Levy
- Park fees
- Items of a personal nature
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities
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