Bomani Tented Lodge

something of a retro experience

Bomani Tented Lodge is located in the Hwange area of western Zimbabwe.

The lodge is centred on an open-sided main building, leading out to a raised viewing platform.

The whole camp is terribly dated by modern standards, but that does give it something of a retro appeal. We would hate to see all of these old-style camps upgraded.

Rooms

Guest accommodation at Bomani Tented Lodge is in twelve tented rooms of various formats …

Saddlebill Tents : x5 : These 50 square metre tents are raised around a metre off the ground on wooden decks, with views across the Ngamo Plain to Bomani Pan. Some of the rooms have one large bed, others have two smaller beds.

Sable Suite : x1 : This 250 square metre family unit is also tented and raised off the ground above the pan, but is larger and has two attached bedrooms each with a private bathroom, one with a king sized bed, the other with two 3/4 beds which can be joined. The suite also has a private lounge, dining area and veranda. It is possible to add two further 3/4 beds in the lounge area to accommodate six guests.

Spurwing Suites : x3 : These 60 square metre tents are similar to the above, but are on concrete bases at ground level and overlook the lodge waterhole. There is space for an extra bed for children. Three of the suites have large verandas suitable for private dining.

Thatched Bungalow : x1 : This larger and more substantial 77 square metre unit has one queen-sized bed and also overlooks the lodge waterhole. Notably it has air-conditioning.

Activities

Bomani Tented Lodge offers the following guided safari activities …

• vehicle safari
• walking safari
• cultural visits
• night vehicle safari

The Hwange area is reasonably close to the substantial international airport at Victoria Falls, making it easy and convenient to include it in safaris.

The usual stay duration is 3-7 nights, with longer stays often combining two lodges.

Seasonality

The best time to visit Hwange is during the May-Oct dry season, when the wildlife is focused around the waterholes and easy to find.

Within that period, May-Jul is pleasantly cool at night, but the animals may not yet be fully migrated back into water.

Towards the end of that period, Oct-Nov the wildlife should be at its strongest, but the weather is likely to be uncomfortably hot, especially at night. Bear in mind that most camps do not have air-conditioning.

Getting there

Hwange lies quite close to Victoria Falls and the journey between the two is usually done by means of a scheduled light aircraft hop, direct into the various bush airstrips.

It is also possible to transfer by road, a journey of 4-5 hours. It may even be possible to travel down by train.

Onward flight connections are available to Matusadona, Mana Pools and on to Gonarezhou. Onward road connections can be made to Matobo, Great Zimbabwe and Gonarezhou.

almost always combined with Victoria Falls