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Little Makalolo

Our rating

7/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Small, intimate safari camp
- Secluded location in private concession
- Day and night game drives and guided walks
- Open air sleep-outs and waterhole 'hide'

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Overview

Little Makalolo is a small, comfortable bush camp in a private concession in Hwange National Park, northwest Zimbabwe. This intimate camp offers just six traditional tented rooms, along with excellent hosting and guiding, and facilities including a plunge pool and viewing hides in an area boasting prime year round wildlife viewing. The camp will appeal to travellers seeking an authentic safari experience in a secluded, game rich location.

The camp’s main area sits shaded by mopane trees and comprises an open-sided communal dining area and lounge with comfy sofas, board games and reading material. There are great views over a nearby waterhole which attracts large numbers of elephant and buffalo. Outside is a decked terrace and a refreshing plunge pool offering welcome respite from the heat of the day. A fire pit with seating is a popular spot for after dinner drinks.

Activities include day and night game drives, and early morning guided walks, with informed, enthusiastic guides. Hwange is Zimbabwe’s largest national park, and its varying landscape of arid scrub, woodland and grassy plains attracts abundant wildlife including elephant, buffalo, lion, cheetah, leopard, and, zebra, plus over 400 species of birds. Being located in a private concession ensures exclusive game viewing including night drives, when elusive mongoose, bush baby, spotted hyena and the occasional nocturnal leopard may be glimpsed. Located 20 minutes from camp on a raised platform overlooking a pan popular with wildlife is Little Makalolo’s remote and romantic 'Star Bed', where guests can enjoy an unforgettable night sleeping out beneath the open African skies. Back in camp, a log pile hide beside the waterhole provides superb close-up viewing of elephant herds who routinely congregate for bathing. The camp also organises cultural visits to local villages, where it supports community initiatives including maintaining water access at boreholes, and providing meals, teacher training and resources to local schools.

Accommodation comprises six tented rooms linked by teak walkways to the main guest areas. Each spacious, timber-framed tent is simply and stylishly furnished and comprises a double or twin beds, a seating area, and an ensuite bathroom with twin basins, WC and both indoor and outdoor showers. Lighting and hot water are provided by solar power. Double doors lead onto a private veranda with seating, perfect for relaxing and observing wildlife roaming by.

Children from 6 years of age are welcome at Little Makalolo. The camp offers a family tent which has two adjoining bedrooms with a double and twin beds, and one bathroom. Note the camp is unfenced and wild animals, including elephants, do regularly roam through. Although it is unlikely that wildlife would approach tents or people, parents are reminded that children should be supervised at all times.

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What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 534 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • I was also just about to email you to thank you and the team for arranging yet again, another wonderful experience.

    Mount Kenya was spectacular and wild - I think I prefer it to Kili in many ways. The entire support team was professional, friendly and all round fantastic in making sure that we were safe, well fed and well looked after. In particular, we would commend Peter the guide as well as Paul one of the porters who doubled-up as his deputy on summit day. Our route was often shrouded in mist and rain that rapidly gathered in the valleys and moorlands, and we were very impressed at how Peter managed to navigate us safely through all of that notwithstanding. In addition, we loved learning about the history of Mount Kenya from him in the evenings. And ofcourse, I was blown away by the lovely birthday surprise at the end complete with balloons and a delicious cake that had journeyed with us from day 1. One thing we might recommend because of the sudden change in weather (it would sometimes get extremely cold and wet) is for the equipment list to be a little bit more detailed in terms of its recommendations e.g. layers to be moisture-wicking, walking boots be waterproof, doubling up on socks to avoid blisters etc.

    El Karama is a beautiful conservancy and the lodge a true labour of love. Great hospitality in a relaxed environment. Delicious, fresh food. We enjoyed the drives, even if we didn't see much wildlife as the heavens opened on us for the last two outings. However, since it was very much geared towards families, I am not sure if I would stay again without kids. That said, I think it was perfect for a 3d/2n stay post mountain, and a much better choice than flying to the masai mara given the limited time we had.

    Our transits were smooth. Samuel the driver was always on time, drove safely and kept the vehicle clean.

    So it was a brilliant experience and one which I certainly will cherish for some time to come. It was great to work with you for a third time, and I certainly hope it won't be the last

    MissingJuhae C reviewing Mount Kenya Sirimon Naro Moru Trek on 01 March 2024

  • Thank you, we had an absolute wonderful time, and everything was well-planned and as described. Carla was crying on the day of our departure from Ants Nest, she didn’t want to go home and for it all to end, and when I asked how much longer she would want to stay, she responded “four weeks”

    MissingLars B reviewing Best of South Africa for Families on 01 March 2024

  • We had the most amazing time. It exceeded all my hopes of what the trip would be. The guides, the hotels - everything was of such a wonderful quality. Thank you for organizing everything. I will absolutely recommend Tourdust and use you again.

    MissingClaudia L reviewing Luxury Desert Holiday on 11 January 2024

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