Camelthorn Lodge

Overview

Camelthorn Lodge offers one of Hwange's most distinctive safari experiences, swapping traditional canvas for eight magnificent stone-and-thatch forest villas. Tucked beneath a canopy of ancient camelthorn trees on the private Ngamo concession, the lodge blends a unique 'Mediterranean-meets-bush' style with deep-rooted community partnership and conservation. The main lodge wraps around a giant namesake acacia, providing a shaded heart for al fresco dining and fireside stories. Each expansive villa is a private sanctuary, featuring a fireplace, a deep bathtub with woodland views, and a private upstairs maisonette with a daybed for siestas or sleeping under the stars. Four villas also boast their own private plunge pools. Beyond the architectural charm, Camelthorn is a hub for Imvelo's signature experiences. Guests can track reintroduced white rhino on foot, photograph elephants from an underground hide, or join the vital 'Pump Run' that sustains Hwange's wildlife. This is a lodge for those seeking comfort, character, and a safari that directly contributes to the wildlife and people of this special corner of Hwange.

Highlights

• Track white rhinos on foot in the Imvelo Ngamo Rhino Sanctuary.
• Photograph elephants at toe-level from the underground 'Look-Up' hide.
• Stay in uniquely designed, spacious stone villas with fireplaces and private balconies.
• Participate in authentic, un-choreographed visits to local schools and villages.
• Experience the 'Pump Run', a day-long conservation safari maintaining park waterholes.
• Arrive in style via the Elephant Express, a scenic open-sided railcar journey.

Amenities & Facilities

Good to Know

• A mandatory Community Rhino Conservation Initiative (CRCI) Levy of US$200 per person per stay applies (2026 rate).
• Only four of the eight villas have private plunge pools; please request if this is a priority.
• Transfers via the unique Elephant Express railcar are available for an additional fee.
• The lodge is in a malarial area; prophylaxis is recommended.
• Children under 12 must share a room with an adult.

Ideal For

Couples, honeymooners, and socially-conscious travellers who value comfort, unique architecture, and a direct link to community and conservation projects.

Good to Pair With

• Victoria Falls (via road transfer or the Elephant Express)
• Bomani Tented Camp (Imvelo sister camp on the Ngamo Plains)
• Nehimba Lodge (Imvelo sister camp in northern Hwange for ecological diversity)