Somalisa Acacia Camp
Highlights
- Somalisa Acacia Camp has only four tented suites, two of them family units
- A private concession in eastern Hwange National Park, overlooking an active waterhole
- Morning and afternoon game drives, night drives and guided walking safaris
- Peak game viewing in the dry season, May to October, when elephant herds crowd the waterholes
- More than 400 bird species recorded across the Hwange ecosystem
- A wood-burning fireplace in every suite for crisp June and July nights
Information
- Lodge type: Tented safari camp
- Location: Private concession, eastern Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
- Lodge size: 4 tented suites (2 family units, 2 double/twin suites)
- Recommended stay: 3–5 nights
- Malaria risk: Yes. Hwange National Park is a malaria area; prophylaxis is advised year-round, and the risk is highest in the November–April rains
- Getting there: 3.5–4.5 hours by road from Victoria Falls, or about 45 minutes by light aircraft from Victoria Falls to Manga airstrip followed by a 30-minute transfer to camp
Somalisa Acacia In The Hwange National Park, A Safari Camp With Only Four Tented Suites
Somalisa Acacia Camp is a four-suite tented safari camp run by African Bush Camps. It sits in a private concession deep in eastern Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest national park. The camp stands under the dappled shade of an acacia grove and looks out across golden savannah to an active waterhole, where elephant, buffalo and plains game come to drink all day long.
Somalisa Acacia Camp is at its most spectacular in the dry season from May to October. By then Hwange's natural water has gone, and the wildlife concentrates on the few pumped waterholes. September and October bring the most dramatic sightings of the year. With just four suites, the camp is perfectly sized for families, a small private group booking the whole camp, or couples who want an intimate, unhurried safari.
Part of our selection of the best Hwange Lodges portfolio.
Rooms and Suites
Somalisa Acacia Camp has four tented suites: two family units and two double suites, with king or twin beds. The family units are two linked tents, a spacious master bedroom joined by a walkway to a smaller twin room for the children. Both family units sit closest to the main guest area, so the walk to dinner is short. The two double suites are generously sized, with large bedrooms and magnificent en-suite bathrooms.
Every tented suite at Somalisa Acacia Camp includes:
- A private viewing deck facing the savannah
- A copper slipper-style bathtub
- Indoor and outdoor showers
- A wood-burning fireplace for cold winter nights
- A standing fan for hot October afternoons
- Mosquito nets and repellent
Cuisine and Wine
Somalisa Acacia Camp serves all meals and drinks as part of a fully inclusive rate, and the kitchen ranks among the finest in Hwange National Park. Meals move between indoor and outdoor dining areas, with bush breakfasts and picnic lunches out in the concession when the game drive is too good to cut short. The cellar covers light, refreshing whites through to rich, full-bodied reds, poured into crystal glasses. It is a lovely touch in a camp this far into the wilderness.
Facilities
Somalisa Acacia Camp's central guest area is an open-sided lounge overlooking the waterhole. It holds a small library, a fireplace, a full bar, and indoor and outdoor dining areas. The swimming pool, lined with loungers, and the evening firepit sit side by side with sweeping views over the Hwange bushveld. The pool is unfenced. The camp runs on solar power, with generator back-up for overcast spells. There is no Wi-Fi or cellphone signal, and a satellite phone is kept for emergencies.
Activities
Somalisa Acacia Camp offers morning and afternoon game drives, night drives, guided walking safaris, birding, and the Ngwana Club for children. All activities take place inside Hwange National Park, led by highly trained professional guides and trackers.
- Game drives: open vehicles in search of lion, leopard, wild dog, elephant, buffalo and a wealth of plains game
- Night drives: a spotlight on the nocturnal Hwange of genet, civet, hyena and hunting lion
- Walking safaris: full walks for guests aged 16 and over, with shorter nature walks for younger guests
- Birding: the Hwange ecosystem has more than 400 recorded bird species
- Photography: long, rewarding hours at the camp waterhole, especially in the late dry season
Child Friendly
Somalisa Acacia Camp welcomes children of all ages, and it is one of the best family camps in Hwange National Park. Two family units, flexible meal times and dedicated child activities make it easy. Safari activities suit children from about seven years old, and full walking safaris are limited to guests aged 16 and over. The Ngwana Club teaches young guests about the wildlife, birds, plants and culture of Hwange and Zimbabwe through games and hands-on activities. Parents should note that the swimming pool is unfenced.
Somalisa Acacia Camp FAQs
Where is Somalisa Acacia Camp?
Somalisa Acacia Camp is a four-suite tented safari camp in a private concession in eastern Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, operated by African Bush Camps. The camp stands under a grove of acacia trees overlooking an active waterhole on open savannah. Hwange is Zimbabwe's largest national park, covering roughly 14,600 square kilometres, and is famous for its huge dry-season elephant herds.
How do you get to Somalisa Acacia Camp?
Somalisa Acacia Camp is reached from Victoria Falls by road or by light aircraft. The road transfer takes roughly 3.5 to 4.5 hours, partly on tar and then on sand tracks through Hwange National Park. Light-aircraft charters fly from Victoria Falls to Hwange in about 45 minutes and land at Manga airstrip, a 30-minute drive from camp.
Is Somalisa Acacia Camp good for families with children?
Somalisa Acacia Camp is one of the strongest family choices in Hwange National Park. Two of its four tented suites are family units, each with a master bedroom linked to a twin room for children. Children of all ages are welcome in camp. Safari activities suit ages seven and up, full walking safaris are limited to guests aged 16 and over, and the swimming pool is unfenced.
When is the best time to visit Somalisa Acacia Camp?
The best time to visit Somalisa Acacia Camp is the dry season from May to October. During these months Hwange National Park's natural water dries up, and elephant, buffalo and predators concentrate at pumped waterholes. September and October bring the densest game viewing and the hottest days. The green season from November to April offers lush scenery, newborn animals and migrant birds.
Is Somalisa Acacia Camp in a malaria area?
Somalisa Acacia Camp is in a malaria area. Hwange National Park carries malaria risk all year, and the risk is highest during the November to April rains. Guests should consult a travel clinic about prophylaxis before departure, pack repellent and cover up at dusk. Every tented suite at Somalisa Acacia Camp has mosquito nets and repellent.
What is included in the rate at Somalisa Acacia Camp?
Somalisa Acacia Camp is sold on a fully inclusive basis. The rate covers accommodation, all meals, tea, coffee, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, laundry, morning and afternoon game drives, and walking safaris. It excludes premium imported spirits and champagne, visas, international and regional flights, travel insurance, personal items and staff gratuities. Uyaphi quotes Somalisa Acacia as part of a tailor-made Zimbabwe safari.
In Conclusion
Somalisa Acacia Camp is the Hwange National Park camp to book for a small, private, wildlife-first safari. It has only four tented suites, a waterhole in front of the deck, and some of the finest dry-season elephant viewing in Southern Africa. The two family units make it one of Zimbabwe's best camps for parents travelling with children, and couples or a small group of friends can have the whole camp almost to themselves.
When to go: May to October for concentrated game, with September and October the most spectacular months of all. November to April is the lush green season, with newborn animals, migrant birds and lower rates.
How to go: fly into Victoria Falls, spend two nights at the falls, then take a 45-minute light-aircraft hop or a scenic road transfer into Hwange for three to five nights at Somalisa Acacia. Continue to Mana Pools, Lake Kariba or across the border to Botswana's Chobe and Okavango.
Uyaphi.com has been planning tailor-made African safaris since 1999, and those 27 years of experience go into matching the right camp to the right season, the right flights to the right connections, and the right suite to your family. We charge no booking fees and no credit card surcharges, and we quote Somalisa Acacia Camp as part of a complete Zimbabwe itinerary built around you. Contact us to start planning your Hwange safari.
Rates form part of a safari itinerary
Somalisa Acacia Camp Rates
Per person per night sharing
Rates are in US Dollar
*Rates may vary according to season
- Accommodation
- All meals
- Tea, coffee, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages
- Laundry
- Morning and afternoon game drives
- Walking safaris
- Hwange Main Camp village visits
- Premium imported spirits and champagne
- Visa Fees
- International and regional Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Items of a personal nature
- Staff Gratuities
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