Ziwa Bush Lodge

The river views and those huge acacias at dawn were pure magic. Ziwa Bush Camp sits on a private stretch of the Zambezi, with six canvas tents that sway in the breeze. They’re nothing fancy, but the place gets the balance of adventure and comfort right without feeling stuffy. We just got back from four incredible days there in Zimbabwe, travelling with my wife and our kids, who are 8 and 11. I was a little nervous about bush camping, but it turned out to be a trip that really sticks with you. Our guide, Tendai, spotted a leopard on the first game drive and kept the kids giggling with elephant facts. One evening we watched hippos grunting from the deck, with s’mores in hand and a fire crackling nearby. The food was surprisingly good too, from fresh bush breakfasts with eggs from who-knows-where to dinners under the stars that made us forget our city diets. The kids still rave about tubing down the river, with life jackets required, thankfully. There was no Wi-Fi, so we had actual family chats around the campfire. The tent bathrooms took some getting used to if you’re squeamish, but waking up to birdsong beats an alarm any day. If you want a raw, unfiltered Africa trip with your family, Ziwa’s your spot. We can’t wait to go back and are already plotting it. Five out of five from this happy herd.

The accommodation was comfortable, and the restaurant food and service were good. The place is beautiful and picturesque, and the staff were super friendly and polite. We met the owner, Ralph, who was gracious and welcoming. Loved our stay, thank you!

Housekeeping needs attention: the towels and drinking water weren’t replaced, and it was dusty under the bed. Ziwa Bush Lodge is a peaceful, eco-friendly lodge in Njoro near Nakuru, with green surroundings and very good food. It’s a convenient base for Lake Nakuru National Park and the Great Rift Valley region. The atmosphere is rustic luxury, with a bush setting and comfort, suited to nature lovers, couples, small groups, or families looking for a quiet stay near wildlife and regional attractions without being inside a major reserve. The lodge has traditional thatched cabins and cottages made with local stone, canvas, and makuti roofs. Executive, standard, and family rooms have ensuite bathrooms and verandas overlooking gardens and bushland. Facilities include a restaurant, outdoor pool, bar/lounge, free Wi-Fi, parking, and BBQ facilities. The restaurant serves local and international food, with vegetarian options. Part of the lodging revenue supports the East African Mission Orphanage (EAMO), with a portion of each booking going to this local charity.

The room was fine, as you’d expect so close to a town, but there’s little reason to stay here otherwise. It’s quite far from the national park, around a 45m drive, with the last 20m on an off-road stretch. The staff were awful and seemed unwilling to accommodate anything. I tried asking a different staff member about a particular order because she seemed less rude, but she took the menu card away before I could do the same. I was told her name is R**h. She was also handling the restaurant during lunch today. It was the most shameful experience I’ve had at any hotel I’ve stayed at.