Ivory Lodge is located outside the Hwange National Park on a private concession of 6,000 squared acres.  This well appointed lodge is situated in the key home range of the Presidential Elephant herd, made famous by Alan Elliot in the 1980s.

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This safari lodge comprises of seven elevated thatched tree house style rooms, as well as two grand tented presidential suites, all commanding great views of a private and extremely active waterhole.  Guests have the opportunity to view some of Hwange’s most prolific wildlife species from the comfort of their room or the main dining area. The most commonly viewed species from camp range from big cat carnivores to plains game to herds of buffalo and elephant, sometimes up to 500 strong.

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At Ivory Lodge, the rooms are fitted with mosquito nets and each unit is fairly open, offering an intimate bush experience.  Ivory Lodge takes children of all ages.

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Activities

 

• Early morning game drives set out at 5.30am with our licensed guides both into the National Park, and on our own 6000 acre concession.  Mornings are usually productive of hyena and wilddog as well as the other plains game.

• Afternoon and evening drives also in the same areas leave at 3pm and return with spotting torch by night.  Animals and birds seen in the afternoons are prolific with sometimes close encounters with the Presidential Elephant Herd.

• Visits to a rural school and clinic for those interested in the cultural aspect of this area.  We also sponsor the Dete Old Age Home via our Mother Africa Trust. 

• We can take you for a tour of the nearby Painted Dog Research Centre.  Entry fees here are $2

• Pan sits – relax in our hide with full day waiter service and let the animals come to you…..

 

Accommodation and Lodge Facilities

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Each elevated en suite room is positioned with sweeping views of the lodge’s productive waterhole.  This is lit at night by an unobtrusive, gentle floodlight.  Our electric blankets keep guests warm and snug during the cold winter nights and in summer, we have ceiling fans to stay cool.  All of the tree-houses have mosquito nets, 24 hour electricity and on tap hot water in the en suite bathroom.

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The standard rooms have showers and the two presidential elephant suites have bathtubs and showers.  The main area of the Lodge has a cool and comfortable seating area with tea and coffee served all day.  Ivory’s bar has a wide selection of beverages, alcoholic and non alcoholic. The newly thatched central dining area, bar and library command great views of the waterhole and overlook the swimming pool which is a welcome haven from the mid-day heat.  Wireless is available at the library for all of our Lodge guests.

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Wildlife

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Hwange has always been one of the best places to visit for a broad range of safari experiences and Ivory Lodge is “big game” country – lion, elephant leopard and buffalo are seen regularly from camp as well as in the park.  There are over a 100 types of mammal and more than 300 species of birds in Hwange with a supporting cast of innumerable insects, spiders, amphibians and reptiles.  The park also boasts the world famous Presidential elephants which often drink at Ivory Lodge’s exclusive watering hole.  These include ‘giant tuskers’, huge, old elephant bulls with enormous tusks.  The game viewing in general is superb and the park is teeming with herds of sable, giraffe, impala, zebra and wildebeest.

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We offer a variety of activities in camp and Zimbabwean guides are amongst the most highly trained and revered in Africa.  Walking safaris were perfected in Hwange and our guides offer guests the opportunity to view creatures great and small whilst on foot.  From big game approaches to examining the lowly dung beetle, this is a unique and fascinating way to see Hwange.  Game drives allow guests to cover vast distances and see the diversity of the park as well as come across a plethora of wildlife.  In addition to getting out of camp, we also encourage our guests to sit and enjoy the game that moves through the lodge and communes at the waterhole.