Sable Valley is not what you would expect when looking for a lodge to book near Hwange National Park. It was originally built back in the 80’s using the popular and traditional theme of that era, being rondavel thatched rooms. It was made famous in 1991 when her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness Prince Philip chose to stay here as part of their African Safari adventures. Today, lucky guests are able to book and stay in the rooms they were once in!
Sable Valley is built on the Dete Vlei and is located on a private 15,000 acre concession, a few kilometres off the main Bulawayo to Victoria Falls road, 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, and please note guests are NOT permitted to drive to Sable, but will be met at Ivory Lodge and transferred by game drive vehicle to Sable Valley.
The main entertainment area of Sable Valley is a beautiful central dining, bar and lounge area. It is comfortably furnished, with a tea and coffee station available, as well as cold drinks and wine available from the built in bar fridge. On cooler evenings this area is heated by a lovely indoor fireplace. Directly in front of this building is a boma and fire-pit, but the most popular feature is the underground hide and elevated viewing platform, which is located at the front of the property, and has a stunning 180 degree view of the Vlei, as well as overlooking a waterhole which brings a wide variety of game visiting it to drink.
There are 11 stone rondavel rooms for guests, configured as below:
- Room 1 – Queen Elizabeth’s Room (only room with a bath) – King
- Room 2 – Prince Philip’s Room – King
- Room 3 – Twin
- Room 4 – Queen
- Room 5 – Twin
- Room 6 – Queen
- Room 7 – Twin
- Room 8 – x 2 Queens – Family Room
- Room 9 – Twin
- Room 10 – Queen
- Room 11 – King
The bedrooms are laid out around the pool area, with lovely green lawn surrounding the paved swimming pool area. There are day bed/kiosks for guests enjoyment and relaxation at the pool.
Please note that the owners made a conscious decision to keep Sable Valley as “vintage” as it was originally built, and so the bedrooms are comfortable, but not fitted with all the modern day cons. They are all en-suite with showers, except for Queen Elizabeth’s Room which has both a shower and a bathtub. All rooms have a ceiling fan and mobile fan for the summer months, and electric blankets for the winter months. The rooms also have mosquito nets, room safes and 24 hour electricity, with hot water provided by gas geysers. Please note there are no tea and coffee facilities in the rooms as the owners have decided to keep things “old school” and prefer that your tea and coffee be delivered upon request.
Sable Valley 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.
The lodge is very proud of their “Mother Africa” anti-poaching unit, which patrols the private concession. They also build predator proof bomas / kraals for the villagers to keep cattle safe from predators at night. The Trust aids infrastructure development at the nearby Mabale Primary School as well as supporting the senior citizens living at Dete Old Age Home. The Mother Africa Trust sources resources for nearby schools and cultivates a friendly learning environment for students.
Sable Valley really has a special “old world charm” not found anywhere else, so why not book and spend time at this unique lodge!
Contact Us
Package Deals
For package deals that include accommodation, as well as other lodges, activities and annual event participation in and around Zimbabwe.
