Khulu Bush Camp is Ivory Lodge’s “sister” camp and is located on the same 15,000 acre private concession as Ivory Lodge, a few kilometres off the main Bulawayo to Victoria Falls road. Khulu is named after one of the directors, who the local people affectionately call “Grandfather” which when translated means Khulu. Although not actually in the Hwange National Park, Khulu has special permission to enter the park through a private entrance, which comes out right by the famous Makwa Pan – cutting out 2 hours of drive time other guests entering Hwange Main Camp would need to travel. Khulu is located 173kms from Victoria Falls or 263kms from Bulawayo. There are scheduled flights arriving daily into both Victoria Falls and Bulawayo and transfers can be arranged. Charter flights are also available to Hwange Airfield. If self-driving, a high clearance 4×4 is recommended as the last few kilometres are on sandy dirt roads.
The main area of the camp is a beautifully cool, open-plan thatched building, located perfectly overlooking the waterhole, which always has some type of wildlife drinking at it. The seating area is very comfortably furnished, and there is a small bar style sitting area overlooking the deck. Below the deck is the camp’s fire pit and Hide, which has a log kraal to ensure the wildlife don’t get too close. The nice thing about the fire pit and Hide, is that it is located at ground level, so offers a slightly different view of the waterhole. The most popular feature of Khulu is the small pool located on the deck just off the main area. The reason for its popularity is the fact that the resident herds of elephants have become aware of this clean water source and most days will come up and take a long drink, sometimes while guests still have their toes in the water!
There are 6 tented rooms for guests, accommodating a maximum of 12 guests. Each bedroom is elevated on stilts with a verandah, perfect for viewing game at the waterhole they all overlook. All rooms are en-suite, with the bathroom located at the back of the tent, with his and hers basins and outside AND inside showers, with a toilet separated by a partition. The rooms are equipped with Nespresso machines, mini bars, Hair-dryers, cotton robes and a selection of toiletries. Rooms can be converted to luxurious king sized or twin beds to suit the needs of the guests, with mosquito net curtains. In the winter months electric blankets are provided, while in summer there are wall mounted fans.
Meals are served around a long table, adjacent to the lounge area, enabling guests to mingle and meet people from other countries. The meals themselves are varied, with something for everyone. Breakfasts are served buffet style, with lunch being 2-courses, while dinner is 3-courses.
Khulu is linked to the national grid, and therefore appliances like hair-dryers and electric shavers may be used, so long as there isn’t a power cut. If the power does go out, there is a back-up generator able to supply the whole camp. For guests travelling with valuables, individual canvas bags with padlocks (keys remain with guests) are supplied which are then stored in a central safe.
There are many activities on offer, from guided game drives and walks, to “pan sits” where you can watch the game from the cover of a hide, with a waiter on call. And of course, as with Ivory Lodge, Khulu also offers cultural visits through their Mother Africa Trust, to a rural school and clinic in the nearby Dete Village, which aids infrastructure development, as well as supporting the senior citizens living at Dete Old Age Home.
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