Extraordinary Africa>Zimbabwe>Hwange>Little Makalolo
We spend a lot of time building fantasy safari camps in our heads. Three of our top requirements are a small camp, outdoor showers, and a waterhole busy with elephant. Fortunately (unfortunately?) that camp has already been built. Enter Little Makalolo.
What’s Little Makalolo really like?
Little Mak, as she’s known to her friends, sits on a private concession in the south-eastern corner of Hwange National Park. With just six tents Little Mak has a cosy, intimate feel, and you have the chance to really get to know the staff and other guests. We’d say the tents are traditional in style, rather than out and out luxury, and one is a family tent with two bedrooms. As we mentioned above, the outdoor showers are a particular plus for us- even if it’s quite chilly (pretty common in Hwange) showering to the sounds of the bush and the smell of the damp soil is a delight. Though we should mention that if that’s not your bag, each tent has an indoor shower too. Over in the main area of camp there’s a dining and lounge tent, a bush tv (aka the fire pit) and a plunge pool. All of this overlooks a waterhole- this is not a place to be without your binos.
What can I do at Little Makalolo?
Game drives on the concession Little Makalolo shares with its two sister camps are often rewarding. Hwange is particularly known for its large herds of ellies- whether you spot them out in the park, or from Little Makalolo’s hide. (Top tip from us: if you have no interest in an afternoon snooze, this is a great place to pass the time between game drives). Walking safaris, usually in the morning, are an excellent way to absorb the smaller sights, sounds and smells of the bush. And to appreciate your own very small size compared to the wildlife… Little Mak also has a starbed around 20 minutes from camp- a real adventure, but utterly magical- please let us know in advance if you would like to do this. Lastly if you’d like to see a little more of Zimbabwe than just the wilderness, a visit to the local community is a really special experience.
Giving back at Little Makalolo:
The owners of Little Makalolo provide vital water to Hwange’s wildlife by pumping supplies to the waterholes on the concession throughout the year. They help fund anti-poaching patrols and snare removal by the Scorpion Unit, as well as supporting community projects and school feeding programmes.
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