This flagship lodge is nestled in a patch of pristine woodland just west of Ngamo on the edge of the south eastern corner of Hwange National Park. The lodge is unique in its style and design and has as its centre piece a huge ancient camelthorn tree. On the edge of the Ngamo Plain, and strategically placed to explore the remote and unspoilt south eastern portion of the park, Camelthorn offers a spectacular wilderness experience.

Dine al-fresco style under our ancient camelthorn tree, savour your morning coffee in front of a roaring fire, track elephant herds on foot inside Hwange National Park, or enjoy close up photography from inside our underground look up blind – this flagship lodge ticks all the boxes for your authentic African safari experience.

8 stone forest villas, each with a large open plan bedroom and lounge area with sliding glass doors, overhead fans and a fireplace. The en suite bathrooms have a large bath in front of a picture window, shower, basin and toilet. All villas have an upstairs outdoor maisonette with a hammock and day bed– ideal for a siesta or a night ‘under the stars’.

Game drives, walking safaris, night drives in our private concession, our one of a kind 'pump run' and our unique underground blind Game drives are undertaken in traditional open safari vehicles driven by licensed experienced guides, maximum 6 guests.

Walking safaris are led by a fully licensed and highly experienced armed professional guide and is ideal for photography of big game on foot.

Pump runs - Imvelo Safari Lodges operates 8 waterholes for the wildlife within this area of the park, the furthest of which is 55 km into the Park. A popular activity is to take an all day trip into the park to visit the waterholes and drop fuel and oil for the motors, and rations and supplies for the pump attendants. A picnic lunch is then enjoyed near one of the waterholes before taking an afternoon game drive back to the lodge.

Our underground look up blind is disguised as an ant heap and strategically positioned in the shade of a Leadwood tree to take advantage of both the sunsets and the evening light at elephant toe level.

Camelthorn is elephant country and much of the game viewing relates to magnificent opportunities to view these, the largest land mammals, in a completely wild state. As well as elephant, this area is also home to over 100 species of other mammals, including 19 large herbivore and eight large carnivore species, and nearly 400 species of birds.