As a safari consultant, Ilze was thrilled to join a trip exploring some of African Bush Camps’ standout properties in Zimbabwe. From the raw bush intimacy of Hwange to the lakeside luxury of Kariba and the wilderness of Mana Pools, each camp offered its own unique magic – all wrapped in exceptional hospitality, expert guiding, and a genuine commitment to conservation and community. Here’s Ilze’s personal take on the journey.

From elephant-filled waterholes to Zambezi sunsets – here are Ilze’s impressions of three standout camps

Somalisa Expeditions – Hwange National Park

Somalisa Expeditions is African Bush Camps’ off-the-beaten-track camp within Hwange National Park.

With just five luxury tents and one family suite, it is intimate by design – relaxed, close to nature, and perfectly suited to travellers seeking a more authentic safari experience.

The main area flows seamlessly between lounge, bar, and dining space, with guests naturally gathering at the long communal table to share stories from the day.

The outdoor deck features a plunge pool – a welcome respite in the midday heat – overlooking a busy elephant drinking hole where large herds gather daily, playfully jostling for space at the water. It’s the easiest way to spend those hotter hours, watching their family interactions up close.

The tents are simple yet thoughtfully appointed – exactly what you’d expect in an authentic bush setting. There’s no air-conditioning, but the standing fans provide effective cooling on warmer nights. Each tent includes practical amenities like in-room tea and coffee stations, accessible charging points, and ample storage, ensuring your stay feels comfortable. You’re fully immersed in the bush – hearing the sounds of the wild right outside your canvas walls – and that’s precisely the appeal that makes Somalisa so special.

Manager Ivy and host Emmanuel are genuinely warm hosts, creating a relaxed atmosphere throughout. Meals are hearty and well-prepared, with carefully selected wine pairings in the evenings.

From a wildlife perspective, Hwange delivered generously during our stay. Massive elephant herds congregated at the waterholes daily, lion sightings were plentiful, and we encountered hyena, wild dog, and a wide range of plains game.

The guiding quality is the defining feature here – something African Bush Camps is renowned for. The team was superb, bringing deep knowledge, razor-sharp tracking skills, and a calm approach that made every drive exciting and deeply rewarding.

(Note: Sadly, African Bush Safari Expeditions camps will be phased out over the coming year.)

Bumi Hills Safari Lodge – Lake Kariba

Bumi Hills Safari Lodge on Lake Kariba stands out as a perfect interlude between intense safari adventures – or the ideal way to unwind at the end of your trip when all you crave is relaxation and pampering.

Perched high on a rugged hill amid a stark, rocky, sun-baked landscape, the lodge feels like a true oasis. The moment you arrive and catch sight of that shimmering infinity pool framed by sun loungers and a towering palm tree, it’s an irresistible invitation to dive in and leave the world behind. Stepping into paradise, indeed!

The location is breathtaking: elevated views sweep across grassy plains to the vast expanse of Lake Kariba, stretching an incredible 300 km. It’s a dramatic blend of classic safari bush and serene luxury.

Gwinyai, the manager, and Nyasha, the hostess, were outstanding – warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, making every moment feel special.

The lodge offers plenty of dining choices, from cozy indoor spots to breezy outdoor areas where most guests opt to sit and soak in those glorious panoramas. The lower-level terrace, complete with a pizza oven, is especially popular for relaxed lunches.

It’s worth noting that the Wi-Fi is great here, so a good place to catch up with family or work.

For pure indulgence, there’s a well-equipped fitness centre and on-site spa that saw plenty of use during my stay! The meals were consistently excellent, with impressive variety and beautifully presented dishes that kept things exciting each day.

The 10 spacious suites are perched along the hillside, each with private viewing decks that guarantee stunning vistas in every direction. Air-conditioning is a welcome relief in the warmer months. When it’s time to freshen up, you can choose between a generous freestanding bathtub or refreshing indoor/outdoor showers.

What truly elevates Bumi Hills is its exceptional mix of activities. Game drives venture into the hills or down to the lakeshore – on our first afternoon, we drove along the water’s edge and were greeted by elephants, zebras, and waterbuck drinking peacefully. We capped it off with a glorious sundowner stop right at the lake, watching the sun dip below the horizon in a blaze of colour.

The boat cruises are a highlight here, and the sunset ones are particularly magical, gliding across the water with hippos, crocodiles, and birds all around. For something even more special, they offer the Lady Jacqueline, a luxurious triple-decker houseboat. You can cruise up-river (often towards areas like the Ume River for prime game viewing), enjoy meals on deck, and overnight on the water – complete with plunge pool, air-conditioned lounge, and comfortable cabins. It’s an unforgettable way to immerse yourself in Lake Kariba’s wild beauty.

If you’re interested in the human side of the area, the lodge arranges visits to the Bumi Hills Foundation’s community projects. It’s a longer drive through rural villages – past schools, kids on bikes, and cattle roaming the streets – but incredibly rewarding. You get to see the impactful work African Bush Camps supports, like school initiatives and efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflict. It’s a meaningful glimpse into local life and conservation in action.

If you’re looking for a luxurious, rejuvenating escape that still delivers authentic safari magic, Bumi Hills is hard to beat.

Nyamatusi Camp – Mana Pools

Mana Pools has been on my bucket list for years, and finally experiencing it left me utterly captivated – I truly left a piece of my heart there.

The moment you arrive and gaze out over the endless Zambezi River, with the distant mountains of Zambia’s Lower Zambezi framing the horizon, it feels like coming home. The landscape is simply breathtaking: vast open floodplains shift abruptly into lush, forested pockets, creating a raw, untamed beauty that’s hard to put into words.

Mana Pools is world-famous for its elephants, and witnessing their extraordinary behaviour is a highlight. Some bulls have mastered the art of standing on their hind legs, trunks extended high to pluck seed pods from the Winterthorn trees. Boswell, a legendary bull, was reportedly the pioneer of this remarkable skill, and others have followed his lead. Seeing it in person is pure magic – graceful, almost acrobatic, and utterly unique to this area.

The camp’s focus is on immersive, close-up wildlife encounters, with game drives and walking safaris taking centre stage. Our brilliant guides, Thabo and Trymore, were passionate about getting out on foot, tracking and approaching elephants, lions, buffalo, and more. The animals here are remarkably relaxed around humans, making these walks an exhilarating, sensory thrill – nothing beats the quiet intensity of being on the ground in their world.

Boating is available during the green season (November to March), when the river is at its most accessible. We enjoyed a serene cruise down the Zambezi, gliding past elephants and hippos at the water’s edge, followed by a fabulous sundowner drinks stop that felt like the perfect end to the day.

The lodge itself is stunning. The double-volume main area features a downstairs dining space and an upstairs lounge and bar, all with those incredible river views. We savoured casual pizzas by the pool, a memorable curry evening in the outdoor boma, and delicious meals shared around the communal table – always beautifully prepared and full of variety.

The six luxury tented suites are gorgeous, each with a spacious deck and its own private plunge pool (compact, but delightful – you’ll be standing upright in it!). Air-conditioning over the bed ensured blissful, cool nights, with a standing fan for extra comfort if needed. Practical touches like a safe, charging station, and a well-stocked minibar added to the sense of practical luxury.

Nyamatusi delivers authentic safari adventure wrapped in refined comfort. Throughout my stay, a profound sense of peace washed over me – this really is a beautiful slice of heaven. If you’re dreaming of a place that combines heart-stopping wildlife moments with serene luxury, this is it.

And if you needed any more encouragement to visit Mana Pools, click to read  Reasons why you should visit Mana Pools

Beyond each camp, a few things stood out about my African Bush Camps experience – the guiding standard, the calibre of staff, and a business model that invests meaningfully in the wildlife and communities surrounding each camp.

Zimbabwe remains one of Southern Africa’s most rewarding safari destinations. Experiencing it with African Bush Camps – the guiding, hospitality, and conservation efforts weave the wildlife, the people, and the place into something far greater than a standard safari – leaving you with the quiet conviction that you’ve been part of something truly meaningful and enduring.

One reassuring note for travellers: all African Bush Camps properties have a paramedic on-site (or very nearby if lodges are close together), providing great peace of mind, especially for older guests or those with health concerns.