Jozibanini Camp is situated in the remote south west of Hwange National Park in a wilderness unused for nearly 20 years; only the wildlife and the Parks rangers who look after it frequent this area, once roamed by San people. This is a small, truly exclusive camp in a truly wild place, providing a unique, untamed wilderness experience.

The ecosystem here is semi-desert akin to the Kalahari in neighbouring Botswana. Ancient windblown fossil sand dunes are separated by shallow valleys where elephant paths have compacted the terrain, providing Imvelo with the opportunity for a unique experiment of game viewing by mountain bike. Imvelo is breaking new ground in Hwange in terms of the remoteness of the location and the uniqueness of the environment.

Ideally we recommend this as a two day add-on for guests from Imvelo’s other Hwange properties; Bomani, Camelthorn or Nehimba. These special guests will be looking for adventure; the day-long transfer to Jozibanini will be a ‘pump run,’ resupplying waterholes en route, providing an opportunity for guests to get involved in the incredible game water supply program that is unique to Imvelo.

GAME DRIVES

• Morning and afternoon game drives with snacks in traditional open safari vehicles
• All day game drives with a packed lunch and snacks in traditional open safari vehicles.
• Land Cruisers seat up to 9 guests and Land Rovers seat up to 7 guests

GAME WALKS

• Conducted by a fully licensed and highly experienced professional guide
• Usually undertaken in the mornings and ideal for photography of big game on foot

PUMP RUNS

• Imvelo Safari Lodges operate 15 waterholes for the wildlife of Hwange
• Transfers to and from Jozibanini from Bomani or Camelthorn include doing pump runs along the way to supply pump attendants with new supplies and to make any necessary repairs

THE LOOK UP GAME VIEWING HIDE

• Experience Hwange’s giants up close and only a few meters from the watering hole from the safety of this specialized 6m long underground blind with en-suite flush toilet

MOUNTAIN BIKING

• Deep Kalahari sands make much of this area inappropriate for biking, but geography and elephants have worked together to make it a possibility here.

6 - 7 hour drive from Bomani, Camelthorn or Nehimba. 1.5 hour charter flight from VFA

At the Lodge

A good way to spend a day at Jozibanini will be simply to stay seated in a shady spot, binoculars in hand, watching the wildlife as it comes to one of the waterholes to drink.

Game Drives

For those who want to go further afield, a specially adapted open 4x4 safari vehicle is available for you to explore the area with your expert guide.

Game Walks

Highly recommended is taking a walk with your professional guide.  Typically this does not need to be strenuous, but a relaxed activity, taking time to look at animal tracks and antlions in the sand, pausing under a tree to discuss conservation and wildlife in a near-desert environment. For the more adventurous, tracking elephant and even lion on foot gives a fascinating insight into their lives and often an exciting up close experience with these magnificent animals.

Mountain Biking

Imagine you’re on a mountain bike enjoying the sounds and scents of the wilderness when your guide waves you to stop. Feeding casually ahead is a magnificent bull elephant – this is a road block with a difference. Your group waits patiently for the elephant to move off, which he does in due course, but it’s a good excuse to break for a picnic under a shady acacia tree. For once, time does not matter and the day is yours to lose in the African bushveld.  Game viewing by mountain bike is on the cards for Jozibanini. Deep Kalahari sands make much of this area inappropriate for biking, but geography and elephants have worked together to make it a possibility here.

The Look up Game Viewing Hide

By modifying a standard steel shipping container, including fitting it with a flush loo, and sinking it deep into the Hwange sands, Imvelo created a cool, secure place from which to watch wildlife coming to drink at the Jozibanini waterhole. The toe level experience with elephants is a thrill. Over full moons guests can even spend the evening in the blind watching the wildlife come down to drink with a backdrop of stars in a crystal sky, and if you're really enjoying yourself why not overnight in the blind -  what an incredible experience, not available anywhere else in the National Park!

LOTS of elephants, also lion, wild dog, plains game and al other resident wildlife found in Hwange National Park