African Bush Camps Somalisa Expeditions

Somalisa Expeditions is a six-tent camp set inside Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, where the land shifts from mopane and teak woodland toward the drier edges of the Kalahari. Only canvas and gauze sit between you and the bush at night, which is as close as most camps get.

The camp holds five luxury tents and one family tent, each on a raised wooden deck. Rangers take guests out in open four-wheel-drive vehicles twice daily — early morning and late afternoon, when animals move most — and on foot with walking guides who read tracks, plants, and insects as they go. Night drives are also on offer. For birdwatchers, the park holds species including the martial eagle, saddle-billed stork, and Pel's fishing owl.

The most distinctive feature is the in-camp elephant pool, a natural watering point that elephants use regularly and that sits close enough to the main area to watch from a safe position. A dedicated photography hide gives close-up access to wildlife. Fifteen minutes from camp, the Somalisa Sleep-Out is a treehouse platform above a separate watering hole where guests can spend a night under open sky.

The main area has a lounge, a bar, a plunge pool, and a dining table sized for group meals. Evenings end around a fire. The camp also connects guests with African Bush Camps Foundation community and school projects in the villages on Hwange's outskirts.