Africa by Lusso

At a glance

Charming, eco-friendly camp in one of Hwange’s best wildlife areas
Six spacious tents including a family tent, all overlooking a busy waterhole
Large dry-season concentrations of elephant and buffalo
Game drives, walking safaris and wildlife viewing from hides
Children aged six years and older are welcome

Overview

Little Makalolo is tucked away in a teak forest, overlooking a vibrant waterhole regularly frequented by a procession of wildlife. Affectionately referred to as 'Little Mak', it offers intimate seclusion and a sense of real remoteness. Six traditional-style tents, including a family tent, are spacious and en-suite, with indoor and outdoor showers. Solar power is used for tent lights and to heat water, ensuring a lighter environmental footprint. Teak walkways lead to the centre of the camp, where a false mopane tree shades the dining and living areas, beside which a fire deck invites convivial evenings swapping tales beneath the stars. There is a log-pile hide overlooking the waterhole in front of the camp, which offers fantastic opportunities to view and photograph wildlife as it comes down to drink. Between game drives, guests are invited to relax by the pool as hearty meals are prepared in the kitchen. The more adventurous can enjoy a thrilling sleep-out on the 'star bed' at Madison Pan, surrounded by the sounds of the African bush.

When to visit

Best

Good

Varied

January

30ºC

Maximum Tempurature

18ºC

Minimum Tempurature

191mm

Average Rainfall

January is in the peak of the green season, with hot sunny spells punctuated by spectacular afternoon thunderstorms, providing welcome relief from the summer heat. Birding is excellent at this time of year with many migrants in their breeding plumage. The landscape is green, lush and breathtakingly beautiful, though wildlife viewing can be a bit more challenging due to the thicker vegetation and increased surface water. This is also breeding season so expect to see plenty of newborn animals. Some camps close during the rainy season.
February

30ºC

Maximum Tempurature

18ºC

Minimum Tempurature

180mm

Average Rainfall

February falls into the green season in Zimbabwe and the peak of the rainy season. Days are hot and humid and rain is possible on most days, usually in the form of spectacular thunderstorms in the afternoon. The landscape is green, lush and breathtakingly beautiful, though wildlife viewing can be a bit more challenging due to the thicker vegetation and increased surface water. Expect to see lots of newborn animals and lots of migrant bird species. There are excellent photographic opportunities thanks to great light, vivid colours and dramatic skies. Some camps close during the rainy season.
March

30ºC

Maximum Tempurature

16ºC

Minimum Tempurature

99mm

Average Rainfall

March remains warm and humid with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Vegetation is lush green and thick making it more difficult to spot wildlife. There is still an abundance of newborn animals around and bird watching is fantastic; many birds are in their breeding plumage and migratory birds are still present. Some camps close during the rainy season.
April

29ºC

Maximum Tempurature

14ºC

Minimum Tempurature

29mm

Average Rainfall

April see Zimbabwe emerge from the rainy season making many of the national parks accessible again. Temperatures start to cool down and although days are still warm, evenings are noticeably cooler. Afternoon thunderstorms are still to be expected but are less frequent. This is the last month of summer bird watching before the migrants start their journey north.
May

27ºC

Maximum Tempurature

10ºC

Minimum Tempurature

2mm

Average Rainfall

Expect pleasant, dry, sunny days with cooler nights and early mornings, so it's important to bring layers for those early morning game drives. The visibility in the bush improves as the foliage starts to thin out. Animals begin to gather around the diminishing water sources, making game viewing easier.
June

25ºC

Maximum Tempurature

6ºC

Minimum Tempurature

2mm

Average Rainfall

June sees the onset of winter in Zimbabwe. Days are still pleasantly warm, though temperatures at night and early in the morning can get down to freezing, so take plenty of layers. June also signals the start of the dry season and there is almost no rainfall throughout the month. Waterholes start to dry up and animals start to move towards more permanent sources of water, making for some excellent and varied game viewing.
July

25ºC

Maximum Tempurature

6ºC

Minimum Tempurature

0mm

Average Rainfall

July is the peak of the dry season. Daytime temperatures are mild, however evenings and early mornings can be freezing in some places, so pack plenty of layers. Landscapes are less lush making it much easier to spot wildlife. Large herds of elephant gather around the pumped waterholes in Hwange and there is plenty of predator action.
August

25ºC

Maximum Tempurature

6ºC

Minimum Tempurature

0mm

Average Rainfall

Days are sunny and mild without a cloud in the sky, though nights are very cold so layers are recommended. Landscapes are dry and game viewing is spectacular, with herds gathering around rivers and Hwange's man-made, pumped waterholes.
September

32ºC

Maximum Tempurature

13ºC

Minimum Tempurature

1mm

Average Rainfall

Daytime temperatures are on the increase but evenings are still cool, so layers are recommended. September is another dry month and game viewing is excellent. Water is still scarce so animals congregate in large numbers around existing waterholes. Expect to see large herds of elephant in Hwange. September is also the month of the annual game count in Hwange and visitors are able to join the park rangers in the annual census, offering excellent wildlife sightings as well as an interesting insight into the life of a Hwange game ranger.
October

33ºC

Maximum Tempurature

17ºC

Minimum Tempurature

27mm

Average Rainfall

The season gets progressively drier and hotter and temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees but the game viewing at this time of year is unrivalled. Dry grass and leafless trees make wildlife much easier to spot. This is the time to catch those iconic wildlife sights for which Hwange is renowned: endless processions of large herds of elephant and impressive wildlife concentrations at the waterholes.
November

32ºC

Maximum Tempurature

18ºC

Minimum Tempurature

64mm

Average Rainfall

November heralds the start of the rains, which tend to come as sudden thunderstorms in the afternoon, providing welcome relief from the intense heat. Evenings can still be chilly, so it's advisable to carry a fleece with you. The rains bring greener landscapes and thicker vegetation, which can make game viewing more difficult. Many animals start to give birth and this is a great time to see newborn impala and wildebeest. There's also excellent birding with many summer bird migrants present in their breeding plumage.
December

30ºC

Maximum Tempurature

18ºC

Minimum Tempurature

175mm

Average Rainfall

December sees the return of the green season, with plenty of rain and lush, green landscapes. Days are hot and humid and evenings mild. Game viewing is still good and you'll see plenty of newborn animals. Bird watching is at its best, with many migrants in their breeding plumage.

Location

Little Makalolo lies in the heart of one of the best game-viewing areas in the eastern region of Hwange National Park. There are daily scheduled charter flights to Linkwasha Airstrip. From the airstrip the camp is a 20- to 30-minute game drive away. The camp can also be accessed by road and is a four-hour drive from Victoria Falls (must be in a 4x4 vehicle). Private charter flights can also be arranged.

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