The first white rhino back in Matabeleland North Province in almost 20 years have found themselves a new home in the Imvelo Rhino Sanctuaries bordering Hwange National Park. It is so incredible for us to finally say, if you visit Camelthorn Lodge, Bomani Tented Lodge, or Tum Tum Treehouse Lodge you are guaranteed to see rhino and potentially see the Big5! We are extremely proud of the paradigm shift with our communities taking on being custodians of the returning rhino. Enjoy a tour of the sanctuary headquarters – meet some of the Community Wildlife Protection scouts on duty that day, and then take a walking tour to view and spend time with the rhino and our Cobra Rangers or first female APU, the Cheetahs guarding them 24/7 – lots of photo opportunities and quality time to watch and enjoy our white rhino in their new homes (This is at an extra cost).
Follow all the updates at the Hwange Community Rhino Initiative

When on safari at Bomani, Camelthorn or Tum Tum, interaction with the local communities in a completely unrehearsed and authentic way is for most, a life-changing few hours. During school term, we love to get up early and meet children walking to school.  Before long, our guests are walking and the vehicle is filling up with the smaller children, who burst into song! Many other options exist for our guests to meet the people of the different neighbouring communities: classroom interaction; a game of soccer; helping with the school lunch (which is donor funded and organized by Imvelo); visits to a family home; meeting the Headman; calling in at the small, picturesque market - these are just some of the things Imvelo often do with their partners in tourism.

With all the active waterholes in Hwange, Imvelo has installed three water-level photography blinds – at Stoffie’s pan near Camelthorn and Bomani, at Jozibanini pan and at Mandiseka pan for Tum Tum guests – allowing for toe and snout level photography of Hwange’s thirsty herds! But these aren’t any ordinary photography blinds. By modifying standard steel shipping containers, including fitting them with a flush loo, and sinking it deep into the Hwange sands, Imvelo has created a cool, secure place from which to watch wildlife coming to drink. You are so close that you can feel the spray when elephants flick water over their bodies; you can smell the fresh, raw scents of the animals as if you were in their midst. Photographers will literally have a field day with the ground-level perspective from their lenses; the worn toenails and wise eyes of elephants are irresistible subjects to capture on camera. Sitting quietly and watching the interactions of the animals arriving for a drink of water is infinitely rewarding. Sometimes, incredible things happen; inquisitive young lions have been within touching distance as they investigated the new scents of the people in the hide.

The Zimbabwe Professional Guides have long been considered the best trained in Africa and therefore exploring the African bush by foot on a walking safari is a must-do while on safari in Zimbabwe. We recommend every guest on safari should go on at least one walk with their guide because the experience on foot is wholly different and there is no greater way to feel connected to nature. It’s a wonderful way to be active on safari while allowing your guide to show you his love of his work, the beauty of all things big and small and to give one a glimpse into the infinite interconnectedness of nature. In our opinion, the only thing better on safari than the adventure of walking, is probably sitting and watching.