Rhino Safari Camp is an intimate, traditional bushcamp nestled within dense “jesse” bushveld along the shoreline of Lake Kariba at the north-western end of the Matusadona National Park.
Seven twin bedded, open fronted, en-suite bedroom chalets, raised on Tonga-Style stilted platforms are discreetly spaced along the shoreline - all with spectacular views over Lake Kariba’s panoramic water & sky-scapes.
The camp is unfenced and wildlife moves freely between the chalets along well used game trails.
Your completely safe, elevated, platform chalet, makes the perfect “hide” from which to enjoy close up, eye-level encounters with passing elephants, or marvel at the diverse game and birdlife in the surrounding bush.
The main, wooden lodge area is set in the beautiful shade of a grove of mahogany trees, and is elevated with an upstairs sitting gallery and downstairs bar/dining area. Deliously fresh meals are served either under cover or al fresco (depending on the weather). The cosy firepit is a warm and friendly focal point for in the evening, and during the daytime, elephants quite often wander through for a drink at the pond.
Enjoy a highly personalised photographic safari experience, guided bush walks, game drives, delicious breakfasts in unspoilt wilderness surroundings, and evening cruises on the lake. Fishing, birding and superb relaxation, close to nature.
The camp is accessible by air charter into Tashinga in the Matusadona National Park or to Kariba from Harare or Victoria Falls, followed by speedboat transfer from Kariba (one and a half hours, weather permitting). Self-drivers are able to access the camp through the southern section of the Matusadona National Park (4 x4 is advised).
Related articles:-
Rhino Safari Camp - a very special kind of authentic African wildlife experience (Guest Blog Nov 2023)
Rhino Safari Camp refurbishes and upgrades (Travel Blog May 2023)
Bush Bathrooms (Travel Blog, Sept 2021)
Warm winter weddings (or honeymoons) in the wild (Feature Blog - June 2021)
Little Gems in the Wild (Travel Blog May 2021)
Tourism and Conservation - hand in hand (Travel Blog March 2021)
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Reviews 10
Giacinta, Spain
31 May 2025
If you're after a immersive bush adventure far from crowded lodges, Rhino Safari Camp delivers The combination of lakeside charm, authentic safari activities, barefoot elegance, and thoughtful guides make it a memorable choice offering breathtaking views and an immediate connection with nature. Wildlife roam freely around the chalets creating an unforgettable experience. Our chalet was very comfortable, built on stilts with reed walls and an open front facing the lake. We loved how you could fall asleep to the sounds of elephants just meters away. A rich variety of activities is available: - Game drives, bush walks, boat safaris and sundowners on Lake Kariba at sunrise or sunset. Guides were knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and really enhanced the experience.
Sophie - Twende Afrika, Belgium
15 May 2025
We had a lovely stay in Rhino Camp, waaww, clients super impressed, happy us! Great crew, nice food and pure vibes!
The place is amazing. We are traveling with clients who saw already a lot but this is so exceptional. The first evening they all got tears of happiness. We will miss the camp and will be back soon!
Twende Afrika, Belgium
22 July 2024
We spent a wonderful time here in paradise! Now we know it really exists! Thank you for your hospitality, the views, delicious food and the drives. Thank you very much. We'll never forget and will promote to come here. Greetings and love!
Lucienne Oud, The Netherlands
31 May 2024
This was one of the best places I've ever been. Authentic, rustic bush camp with amazing views from the room (you don't even have to get out of your bed to see a beautiful sunrise!). Amazing crew. I felt I was with long time friends.
Did some great boat trips and game drives and every time we saw different things, although my personal highlight was the eles coming through camp! A once in a lifetime experience.
Thanks for a great time!!!
Knorz family, Germany
31 July 2023
Thank you very much for our unbelievable days in Rhino Camp. I am sure that it is one of the very best places we have been for holidays.
Owner and staff are absolutely amazing. They are hospitable, very well oriented to the guests and we got plenty of information. Thank you once more, we lost a piece of our heart in Rhino Camp, and therefore we hopefully we come back.
Brad C
13 March 2023
An awesome place to get away and turn off completely. The hositality in camp was great and we loved every min of it. The fishing was proper and we also had a memorable bush walk and learnt heaps. The rooms were private, and it felt like we had our own little spot in paradise with the Elies coming right up to visit in the afternoons. The rustic set up makes you feel like you are in Africa, a place that we would definitely go back to without any hesitation.
Dave N, UK
11 November 2022
We visited Rhino Safari Camp for a second time after 11 years away and the place still has the magic we first remember. We were really well looked after by Karl, Jenny and the staff. The game drives, whether by boat or vehicle are full of wonderful and exciting wildlife of all kinds. Lunch and evening meals at the main Boma are wonderful events with guests sharing their day's memories and swapping stories, whilst enjoying excellent food. Thanks for a really wonderful ending to our trip to Zimbabwe.
Hayley Idensohn, Zimbabwe
20 May 2021
May is a stunning month to go to the Matusadona area, with the moderate temperatures, the clear views of the mountains and hills around, with no bushfire haze, and the beautiful bush which is still quite lush and not quite tawny yet. Although the bush is quite thick we had great wildlife viewing - in both the day and the night drive game drives. And bird sightings and fabulous star sightings due to the clear skies. The tweaks to the soft furnishings in camp and the main area are lovely and have made a difference - the creative touches of the staff with things like the grass in water arrangements turned very cleverly into effective and attractive lamps on the dining tables are lovely! We absolutely loved the bush walk and learned a load of new things from the guide, Jean Blake – who is incredibly knowledgeable about all things great and small. Len so enjoyed his birthday celebration – he said it couldn't be better and was his best birthday to date!!! From the bush walk to the lovely chocolate cake baked by Mr P and the fabulous fishing – ending off with a great sunset, delicious fish and chips and champagne. Thank you once again all the fabulous hosts of Rhino Safari Camp!! We will be back!!
clare wright, United Kingdom
13 April 2015
This camp ticks all the boxes for an authentic experience of 'the bush', in Africa. So unspoilt and unhindered by man, yet it provides all one needs to experience a true closeness with nature evoking it's richness and vulnerability.
Dick Pitman, Zimbabwe
6 February 2015
Some safari camps and lodges seek to insulate you from the bush, with aircon and raised walkways and the trappings of so-called - and usually very costly - "luxury". Others gently encourage you to blend in with your surroundings and focus on what, in my opinion, should be the real essentials: simple but comfortable accommodation, good food, and a top quality wilderness and wildlife experience that isn't ruled by the clock. Rhino Safari Camp ticks all my personal boxes, and moreover is located at the heart of some of Zimbabwe's finest scenery, looking over elephant-dotted grasslands to Lake Kariba on the one hand, and the backdrop of the Matusadona mountains on the other.