Luxury Zimbabwe Safari Lodge | Linkwasha Camp

The place

Over one hundred mammal species have been recorded in the Linkwasha area, and we’re soon finding this easy to believe. Our drive from the airstrip to the lodge is held up by a herd of several hundred buffalo taking their time to pass by, while their attendant cattle egrets and oxpeckers squawk in indignation. Just like the herd, the savannah seems to stretch from horizon to horizon, with majestic, isolated trees seemingly scattered at random. Many of the features of the landscape are in motion – groups of elephant and zebra making beelines for some of the waterholes, which are pumped as part of the water supply project that Linkwasha supports. The waterhole immediately in front of the lodge is already busy, even though the day is still cool. Bathing seems to be higher on the agenda for the elephant gathered there than drinking, for now.

Over one hundred mammal species have been recorded in the Linkwasha area, and we’re soon finding this easy to believe. Our drive from the airstrip to the lodge is held up by a herd of several hundred buffalo taking their time to pass by, while their attendant cattle egrets and oxpeckers squawk in indignation.

Just like the herd, the savannah seems to stretch from horizon to horizon, with majestic, isolated trees seemingly scattered at random. Many of the features of the landscape are in motion – groups of elephant and zebra making beelines for some of the waterholes, which are pumped as part of the water supply project that Linkwasha supports.

The waterhole immediately in front of the lodge is already busy, even though the day is still cool. Bathing seems to be higher on the agenda for the elephant gathered there than drinking, for now.

The room

The lodge manager correctly deduces that our priorities are the opposite, and hands each of us a chilled glass of homemade lemonade. From the main area, we can watch the same elephant, still diligently going about their ablutions. The view from our room is of an almost endless savannah vista. Other than the lodge buildings (whose open-plan style doesn’t intrude) there are no traces of humans for kilometres around, and this is something we’re both grateful for. The floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors of our tent (well, it does have a stretched canvas roof) mean that we needn’t miss a moment of the almost continuous activity on the plains, and our eyes light up as we discover that we can sit on the rather comfortable sofas and view wildlife without going anywhere. We decide that might just be an option for one of the mornings that we’re here, but for now we’re debating taking an early lunch, or going for a dip in the pool. The manager tells us that the local elephant have been known to drink from the pool even while people are in it. Now that sounds like an unmissable experience, with an afternoon game drive thrown in to complete our perfect safari day.

The lodge manager correctly deduces that our priorities are the opposite, and hands each of us a chilled glass of homemade lemonade. From the main area, we can watch the same elephant, still diligently going about their ablutions. The view from our room is of an almost endless savannah vista. Other than the lodge buildings (whose open-plan style doesn’t intrude) there are no traces of humans for kilometres around, and this is something we’re both grateful for.

The floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors of our tent (well, it does have a stretched canvas roof) mean that we needn’t miss a moment of the almost continuous activity on the plains, and our eyes light up as we discover that we can sit on the rather comfortable sofas and view wildlife without going anywhere. We decide that might just be an option for one of the mornings that we’re here, but for now we’re debating taking an early lunch, or going for a dip in the pool.

The manager tells us that the local elephant have been known to drink from the pool even while people are in it. Now that sounds like an unmissable experience, with an afternoon game drive thrown in to complete our perfect safari day.

What sets it apart

Linkwasha Camp is distinguished by its winning formula, combining luxury, service and exclusivity with the best wildlife viewing in Hwange National Park. Being in a private concession means that we’ll be sharing the animals and birds with very few other people, and we know that they’ll be like-minded safari enthusiasts. Linkwasha is, after all, hard to get to by accident. Linkwasha’s support for water supply and anti-poaching initiatives in the national park speak to a refreshingly long-term outlook that’s as much about sustainable conservation as it is about making the most of each safari moment. We’re also keen to go on a cultural village visit and learn more about how ecotourism is benefitting local communities. As well as being a luxury Zimbabwean safari lodge, Linkwasha Camp is clearly a place that means a great deal to everyone who experiences it.

Linkwasha Camp is distinguished by its winning formula, combining luxury, service and exclusivity with the best wildlife viewing in Hwange National Park. Being in a private concession means that we’ll be sharing the animals and birds with very few other people, and we know that they’ll be like-minded safari enthusiasts. Linkwasha is, after all, hard to get to by accident.

Linkwasha’s support for water supply and anti-poaching initiatives in the national park speak to a refreshingly long-term outlook that’s as much about sustainable conservation as it is about making the most of each safari moment.

We’re also keen to go on a cultural village visit and learn more about how ecotourism is benefitting local communities. As well as being a luxury Zimbabwean safari lodge, Linkwasha Camp is clearly a place that means a great deal to everyone who experiences it.

At a glance

An airy, open safari lodge with nine tented suites (one of them a family tent) overlooking the plains while the main areas and a shared swimming pool have views of a busy waterhole.
Private concession, flexible schedules, individual dining and private activities available (additional cost).
Game drives, night drives, walking safaris, birding, waterhole, swimming and cultural visits (additional cost).
Children 6 years and older are welcome. Families with children aged between 6 and 12 need to book private activities (additional cost). Children between 6 and 16 years old must share with adults. Walking safaris have a minimum age of 13.

An airy, open safari lodge with nine tented suites (one of them a family tent) overlooking the plains while the main areas and a shared swimming pool have views of a busy waterhole.
Private concession, flexible schedules, individual dining and private activities available (additional cost).
Game drives, night drives, walking safaris, birding, waterhole, swimming and cultural visits (additional cost).
Children 6 years and older are welcome. Families with children aged between 6 and 12 need to book private activities (additional cost). Children between 6 and 16 years old must share with adults. Walking safaris have a minimum age of 13.

Prices

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.