Where is Hwange National Park?

Hwange National Park is in north-western Zimbabwe. At around 14,600km², it is the country’s largest national park

What wildlife can I expect to see around Little Makalolo?

The south-east of Hwange National Park, where Little Makalolo is set, teems with wildlife, from large herds of elephant and buffalo to rare antelope like sable and roan, and plenty of predators, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs and hyenas.

What to pack for a safari in Zimbabwe?

Morning and evening game drives can be cold, but the afternoons are often warm so it’s best to dress in layers. A hat is essential and bring closed shoes if you intend to go on walks. Travellers are urged not to pack or wear any camouflage or military-inspired clothing while travelling in Africa.

What can I do between game drives at Little Makalolo?

If you’re up for more than relaxing in your en-suite tent, spend time cooling down at the pool or waiting, camera and binoculars in hand at the log-pile hide.

Zimbabwe

Little Makalolo

The Original Hwange Safari Camp

A safari camp with a strong legacy, Little Makalolo promises a magnificent experience in a diverse and wild corner of Hwange.

Home Africa Zimbabwe Hwange National Park Little Makalolo

DESTINATIONS

Wilderness Little Makalolo

A signature Zimbabwean safari camp in a classic Southern African setting.

Up-close animal encounters. Thrilling sightings. Exclusive access. Little Makalolo offers an unrivalled safari experience in Hwange National Park, where the wonderful, wild scenery is matched by unforgettable wildlife sightings in this remote, exclusive region of Zimbabwe.

ZIMBABWE

Wilderness Little Makalolo Zimbabwe Boardwalk In Camp

Little Makalolo moments

Little Makalolo is in the ideal location for an authentic safari in Zimbabwe. Arrive as strangers, leave as friends. The camp's exceptionally warm staff take care of your every need, while you take in all that Hwange has to offer. Relax poolside, and watch the wildlife parade from the raised deck with views over the waterhole.

Wilderness Little Makalolo Zimbabwe Lounge Main area

Wilderness Little Makalolo Zimbabwe Camp Pool

Wilderness Little Makalolo Zimbabwe Wildlife Elephants At Waterhole

Wilderness Little Makalolo Gallery Zimbabwe Wildlife Zebra

Little Makalolo moments

Little Makalolo is in the ideal location for an authentic safari in Zimbabwe. Arrive as strangers, leave as friends. The camp's exceptionally warm staff take care of your every need, while you take in all that Hwange has to offer. Relax poolside, and watch the wildlife parade from the raised deck with views over the waterhole.

Accommodation

The original intimate bush camp, Little Makalolo has just six tented suites, including a family unit. A safari at Little Makalolo in world-renowned Hwange is an unmatched, soul-rejuvenating experience. Revel in a refreshing outdoor shower after a long day of wildlife thrills, then head to the dining area, where your drink of choice, a warm fire and the joy of sharing the day’s experiences await.

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Cuisine

From signature G&T stops out in the bush, to lantern-lit dinners in front of the camp, to breakfast jaffles and traditional nhopi porridge served around the fire, dining at Little Makalolo is a treat for the senses. Have dinner in the bush hide, where foraging elephants may join you, or enjoy a fresh brunch on the pool deck watching amazing scenes playing out at the pan in front of the camp.

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THE DETAILS

Wilderness Little Makalolo

Stroll along the walkway from your tented suite to the main area, where an open fire beckons all to sit, and spend a starry evening sharing stories. From the raised pool deck, enjoy a dip in the pool and a sundowner, keeping an eye on the waterhole that attracts an abundance of wildlife. In this remote part of Hwange, the camp's footprint is minimal, with electricity provided by solar power.

Purpose

Facilities

Wildlife

Area

Activities

Wilderness Little Makalolo Zimbabwe Purpose Impact

Your presence matters

Your stay with us helps protect Hwange’s wildlife. The 34,000 hectares of land where we operate is home to an impressive diversity of wildlife. Snares set in the reserve are indiscriminate, and even the fiercest of animals end up falling victim. Alongside the Scorpion Anti-Poaching Unit, we work tirelessly to help keep our precious wildlife safe.

Family room

A holiday of lasting family memories is guaranteed.

Pool

Cool off between game drives in the inviting swimming pool.

Star Bed

Experience a night under the stars, safely elevated above the ground.

Log-pile hide

Watch undetected as herds of elephant and buffalo drink at the pan.

Wi-Fi

Stay in touch with friends and family back home and share your safari sightings.

Wilderness Little Makalolo Zimbabwe Hwange

Discover hidden Hwange

At an expansive 14,651km² (roughly half the size of Belgium,) Hwange is Zimbabwe’s largest national park. The Linkwasha-Makalolo Private Wilderness Area in the south-east of the park is an exceptionally diverse region of teak woodlands, golden savannah, and Kalahari sands. In summer, the Ngamo Plains heave with plains game, followed closely by predators.

Purpose

Your presence matters

Your stay with us helps protect Hwange’s wildlife. The 34,000 hectares of land where we operate is home to an impressive diversity of wildlife. Snares set in the reserve are indiscriminate, and even the fiercest of animals end up falling victim. Alongside the Scorpion Anti-Poaching Unit, we work tirelessly to help keep our precious wildlife safe.

Facilities

Family room

A holiday of lasting family memories is guaranteed.

Pool

Cool off between game drives in the inviting swimming pool.

Star Bed

Experience a night under the stars, safely elevated above the ground.

Log-pile hide

Watch undetected as herds of elephant and buffalo drink at the pan.

Wi-Fi

Stay in touch with friends and family back home and share your safari sightings.

Wildlife

Area

Discover hidden Hwange

At an expansive 14,651km² (roughly half the size of Belgium,) Hwange is Zimbabwe’s largest national park. The Linkwasha-Makalolo Private Wilderness Area in the south-east of the park is an exceptionally diverse region of teak woodlands, golden savannah, and Kalahari sands. In summer, the Ngamo Plains heave with plains game, followed closely by predators.

Activities

Experiences

Little Makalolo experiences

Out on game drive, train your eyes on the horizon, in search of herds of buffalo, lone elephant bulls and rare antelope like sable and roan. Scan the treeline for many of the over 400 species of birds found in Hwange, or retire to the hide and wait for them there, binoculars in hand. Meet the people who support Hwange’s wildlife: the Scorpion Anti-Poaching Unit, and nearby community members.

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Hides

Is there anything more thrilling? Observing wildlife just inches away, from the safety of our strategically placed hides.

Hides

Botswana, Zimbabwe

Birding

Birding with a knowledgeable Wilderness guide is spectacular across all our regions, with 930 different species for twitchers to tick.

Birding

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Star Beds

Sleep out under the African night sky with our Star Bed experience. Nothing is quite as thrilling or as romantic on safari.

Star Beds

Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe

Wilderness Experiences Conservation Tree Planting

Conservation experiences

Rewild. Protect. Conserve. Wilderness combines unforgettable wildlife encounters with positive impact experiences.

Conservation Experience

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Local culture

Learn. Share. Enrich. Wilderness offers unforgettable cultural experiences across eight African countries.

Local Culture

Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Rwanda

Map

Explore camps in Hwange

Wilderness Little Makalolo lies in the heart of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, with access to the Linkwasha-Makalolo Private Wilderness Area. Positioned in one of Hwange’s most wildlife-rich regions, where Kalahari sands meet teak woodlands and savannah plains, the area around Little Makalolo delivers excellent year-round game viewing.

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Little Makalolo

Standard Season

From USD 680 per person, per night

Premium Season

From USD 1,320 per person, per night

Travel with us

Journey with Wilderness

Explore Zimbabwe’s iconic Mana Pools, navigate the mighty Zambezi by canoe, and get up close to Zimbabwe’s wildlife in richly diverse Hwange National Park. Wherever you safari with Wilderness, expect a journey beyond your wildest dreams.

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Little Makalolo Awards

Camp awards

The hard work of our teams on the ground at Little Makalolo and the communities we work alongside have been recognised through numerous awards. And we couldn’t be prouder.

Zimbabwe’s leading tented camp

Readers Choice Award

Gohotels' Outstanding Service 2018

GUEST EXPERIENCES

Testimonials from fellow safari-goers

With a perfect 5 star rating from 175 reviews, guests consistently praise Little Makalolo's exceptional wildlife viewing, dedicated guides, and luxurious accommodations. Read what fellow safari-goers have to say about their unforgettable experiences at Wilderness Little Makalolo. Read more reviews on TripAdvisor.

A very special place

"Little Mak will forever hold a special place in our hearts. My husband and I feel so fortunate to have discovered this hidden gem and spent four unforgettable nights here during our honeymoon. Our stay in late October was nothing short of magical, and every detail was truly appreciated. The warmth and care of the staff was evident in every interaction—always with a smile, a wave, and refreshing towels waiting for us after each game drive. The service was great, with the waiting staff going above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed."

Sydney G | USA

★★★★★

Very cozy, comfortable camp

"Very comfortable camp with excellent food and lovely accommodations. The watering hole is amazing. We skipped a game drive one afternoon simply to watch it with a cocktail. There are a lot of activities but the guides are very accommodating if you just want to relax in the morning or evening. Dinners can be communal which can be fun or awkward depending. You have the option to dine alone as well. I have to say the food is top notch and so was the hospitality from the wait staff. Management was a bit cold but I found our guides (Joshua, Charles, and Leo) to be very interesting. They seemed to be just as excited about game sightings as we were which adds to the fun. The camp fire added a really cozy touch for chilly mornings and evenings."

Clh6262 | USA

★★★★★

Close encounters and the incredible beauty of nature in Africa.

"The accommodations were excellent and the staff was incredible. Our guide, Joshua, was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. He truly wanted us to have the best experience we could have while in Africa. We stayed at a couple of camps and Little Makalolo had the best food and the best overall experience for us. Oh yeah the animals were amazing. My wife and I felt each game drive was surreal from the types and quantity of animals we saw each day. We also loved the stops we made out in the field for sunset and morning tea."

Jeffery H | USA

★★★★★

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FAQs

General

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Journal

Little Makalolo featured stories

Hwange is the beating heart of Zimbabwe, with a safari legacy that stretches back decades. Enjoy a collection of stories from this wild and wonderful, unforgettable safari destination.

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