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At a glance

  • Ten classic safari tents with private verandas in the main lodge
  • Additional family accommodation in Tom's Little Hide and The Private Hide
  • Spend an evening under the stars in the romantic Dove’s Nest treehouse
  • Get up close to the wildlife in one the camp's underground hides, offering incredible photographic opportunities
  • Children 10 years and older are welcome in the main camp; Tom’s Little Hide and The Private Hide welcome children of all ages

Overview

Built beneath a canopy of shady trees, The Hide is often voted one of the best tented camps in Zimbabwe and sits on the edge of a highly active waterhole. The 10 canvas rooms in the main camp all stand under their own thatched roofs, which extend out front to create a lovely shaded veranda where you can sit and watch the waterhole. The rooms are exceptionally spacious and all have a small lounge area, a bath with a view of the plains and waterhole, and an outdoor shower. They include two family tents and two honeymoon tents.

When to visit

  • 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

The Hide is situated in a private concession within Hwange National Park. There are daily flights from Victoria Falls to Umsthibi Airfield or Hwange Main Airport. The Hide is 40 minutes’ drive from Umtshibi Airfield or 1 hour 30 minutes’ drive from Hwange Main Airport through the national park. The lodge is a two-hour drive from Victoria Falls to Hwange Main Camp where guests are met by a Hide representative. The camp is approximately an hour's game drive from Main Camp. Guests self-driving need to do so in a 4x4 car. Private charters can be arranged.