Makalolo Plains Camp & Little Makalolo
MAKALOLO PLAINS CAMP & LITTLE
MAKALOLO - HWANGE NATIONAL PARK, ZIMBABWE
Makalolo Plains is another of the few private camps
situated within Hwange National Park. The Makalolo area is ecologically
diverse, including vast, open, palm-fringed plains, grasslands, acacia
woodlands, and teak forests. This ensures a varied food "pantry"
which feeds great numbers of animals year round. Makalolo is made up of
two small camps - Makalolo Plains and Little Makalolo - which have exclusive
use of a massive concession area within Hwange National Park. Both camps
are operated by Wilderness Safaris.
Accommodation 
For images of Makalolo Plains, click Makalolo
Images
Makalolo Plains has nine
rooms so guests enjoy a wonderful, personalized service and exclusivity.
Guest accommodation is provided in large, comfortable, tastefully decorated,
tented rooms with en-suite facilities within the main body of the tent.
The bathrooms have hot and cold running water, showers and flush toilets
as well as an additional outdoor shower. The living area includes a dining
room, pub, plunge pool and an open fire area for those evening fireside
bush tales. Makalolo Plains is raised off the ground on wooden platforms.
Little Makalolo
For images of Little Makalolo, click Little
Makalolo Images
Little Makalolo is the "sister"
camp to Makalolo Plains. It is located about 20 minutes' drive away from
Makalolo Plains and is completely independently run, with its own staff,
management and guides. The camp is built among Teak trees looking towards
a waterhole and pan which is about 100m away from camp. The camp is built
on the ground, unlike Makalolo Plains, which is raised up on decking.
There is a hide in front of the camp which gives great views onto the
waterhole. There are five tented rooms, each with bathroom facilities
within the tent. There is an outside shower too for those who want to
enjoy the stars while showering. The dining room and lounge are under
one large tent. There is a swimming pool.
Activities
Makalolo Plains is within
Hwange National Park itself, and as such, game viewing starts right at
the guest's doorstep. Game drives in open 4x4 Land Rovers and game walks
are all part of the experience. Walks with an experienced and armed guide
are a highlight for those who want to experience Africa at close quarters.
Wildlife
Summer sees the large antelope herds migrate onto
the plains, closely followed by their predators. Elephants, Buffalo, Sable,
Roan, Giraffe, Wildebeest, Impala and sometimes even Gemsbok can be seen
here. The area is one of the best for predators - Lion, Leopard, Wild
Dog and Cheetah are regularly sighted, along with the smaller African
Wild Cat, Serval, Honey Badger, Civet and Hyena. The area has a number
of waterholes which attract game in large concentrations, especially during
the winter months. Guests can sit at a waterhole and watch the passing
parade of animals as they come to quench their thirst. For the bird watcher,
Makalolo offers a wonderful range of birding, from Miombo species right
through to the Kalahari species.
The Owner - Alexius Chiyasa
Alex was born and schooled
in the Hwange district. He and his wife opened a general dealer's store
on Hwange National Park's boundary in 1972, but struggled during the course
of the war and were forced to close in the late '70s. They re-opened in
1981 and they run the trading store to this day. During the 1980's Alex
became involved with Zimbabwe's "CAMPFIRE" programme, which was
initiated by National Parks to restore the management of wildlife resources
in communal lands - back into the hands of the people living in those areas.
He acted as vice-chairman of the "CAMPFIRE" Association and his
interest in the tourism sector grew.
Around this time he met Keith Vincent
who ran Wilderness Safaris in Zimbabwe. In 1996 National Parks advertised
a number of areas for lease within Hwange National Park. Alex and Wilderness
Safaris entered into a partnership and successfully tendered for the Makalolo
concession. Makalolo Plains was built and opened in April 1997 and Little
Makalolo opened in June of the same year.
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