Bumi Hills is a beautiful, luxurious property with cliff-top views over Lake Kariba. Recently taken over by the impressive safari operator African Bush Camps, it’s located in a stunning region of Zimbabwe and is a place that offers a little bit of everything! You have Matusadona National Park only a short drive away, and Bumi Hills Private Reserve itself takes in a large section of lake shoreline – animals roam freely between the two safari areas. The region is home to some excellent wildlife, with good numbers of elephant and lion, as well all the many activities that come from being on the shores of a large lake. In particular, there’s great fishing here, with huge tigerfish and vundu the prize catches.

Permanent lodge

Lake Kariba and Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe

Luxury

From AU$1,311 – AU$2,064 pp

A stylish and luxurious hilltop safari lodge with amazing views over Lake Kariba

Lounge, bar, dining area, firepit, spa, and gym

Bathroom, Bumi Hills, Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

Ten delightful suites and a self-contained two-bedroom family villa

Game drives, walking safaris, night drives, fishing, boating, cultural experiences, and birding

Seating Area, Bumi Hills, Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
Our Yellow Zebra Opinion
  • Best in the region
Bumi Hills is nestled in the hills on the shores of Lake Kariba. With breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding landscapes, the lodge provides luxury accommodation for guests seeking a slower pace with a real focus on relaxation or exploring the shores by boat.
James Shortt Sales Director

Activities

There’s plenty to do and see at Bumi Hills. The main activity is what Lake Kariba can offer, with some great boating, both for safaris and sunset cruises. This is also a place for some of the best fishing offered by any safari lodge. There are some lovely cultural experiences you can have with local villages and also some rare fossilised dinosaur footprints in the area. The best of the land safari is actually done on foot, as the hilly landscape can be difficult for the vehicles.

Expertly guided game drives

Walking safaris and birding

Night drives

Cultural trips

Boating and fishing

  • Two game sessions per day are possible here, during the morning and the late afternoon. Among the highlights are lion, elephant, hyena, buffalo, hippos, and crocs. You can look out for smaller predators such as jackals, while the large herbivore collection features wildebeest, zebra, steenboks, and an assortment of antelopes.

    Game Drive, Bumi Hills, Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

  • Why not head out into the bush with an armed guide? As well as enjoying animal tracking (guides are well-trained in Zimbabwe to approach dangerous animals) and the area’s phenomenal birdlife, you’ll take a closer look at the reserve’s insects and plant life. Different levels and distances are available, depending on the ages of your group. Classic walking safari here has a minimum age requirement of 16 years.

    Game Drive, Bumi Hills, Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

  • You can also head out at night, when all the big predators come alive. It’s always an unforgettable experience, watching what goes on in the dark of the night! You might see porcupines, genets, civets, bush-babies, and occasionally a larger predator with its prey.

    Game Drive, Bumi Hills, Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

  • Visiting villages and meeting the people of this part of Zimbabwe is very accessible and always a rewarding thing to do. The local fishing village of Chilala offers an authentic and welcoming experience.

    Game Drive, Bumi Hills, Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

  • The boating safaris here are very good. Plenty of animals come to the water’s edge, and this is a great way to see them. Fishing is also superb, and though it’s not for everyone, plucking a massive tigerfish from the depths of Lake Kariba can be quite a thrill. The lodge operates a catch-and-release policy.

    Game Drive, Bumi Hills, Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.

Access & Location

Bumi Hills Safari Lodge sits within its own private reserve in northern Zimbabwe, on the edge of Lake Kariba. This vast expanse of water is not only shared with lots of hippos and crocs, but also marks the border with Zambia to the north. To the south of Lake Kariba and right on Bumi Hills’ doorstep lies Matusadona National Park, which enjoys strong densities of lion, hyena, elephant, zebra, buffalo, as well as wonderful birding. The region is especially good in the months from July through to October, as many animals make their way here for the freshwater source. The shoreline of the lake can be a mecca for thirsty mammals, with crocs only too pleased to welcome them! These interactions can be witnessed during the superb boating safaris on offer at Bumi Hills. There are lots of ways to access Bumi Hills Safari Lodge. The most frequent is flying in to land on the property’s own airstrip, then it’s a 10-minute drive to the lodge. You’d fly on scheduled light aircraft from either Victoria Falls, Harare, Hwange, or Mana Pools, depending on the rest of your itinerary.

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Facilities

Stone pathways, set amidst well-manicured gardens, guide your way to the main areas of the lodge.

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The lounge and dining spaces have sleek wooden furnishings in a contemporary design, with little Zimbabwean touches, all facing the glorious vistas across Lake Kariba as far as the eye can see. It really is a spectacular setting! The amazing infinity pool is the hub of the lodge, the perfect place to while away the post-lunch lull in between safari activities (although do keep one eye out for those cheeky vervet monkeys who may try to pinch your sunglasses!). Free Wi-Fi is available in the main lounge, and there’s a great games room too, with dartboard, large TV, and even a full-sized snooker table. Other amenities include a small shop,a gym, and a wonderful spa (treatments payable locally), which really adds to the atmosphere of Bumi Hills as a place for simple relaxation, as well as all its many activities.

Amenities

The rooms at Bumi Hills are magnificent – all beautifully appointed, with your double or twin bed/s set up facing the views out across Lake Kariba! The rooms are spacious and open plan in style, with modern furnishings in neutral colours.

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Each has a ceiling fan as well as climate control, mosquito nets, a comfortable seating area with a writing desk, and a splendid private veranda where you can take in both sunrise and sunset due to its north-facing position. The bathrooms have free-standing baths, indoor and outdoor showers, and twin washbasins, all in a simple elegant design. A new addition is the Baobab Villa, which is perfect for families or couples who are travelling together. It is entirely self-contained should you wish, with both indoor and outdoor dining areas, and a private bar. This option also comes with a personal butler, private vehicle, and safari guide.

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Talk to someone who’s been there

Real expertise doesn’t come from a few trips to Africa. All our specialists have either been guides, run the camps, or grown up and lived in Africa. That’s over 600 years of genuine safari experience.
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+61 1800 841 726
Emma Dunn
Product & Sales Development Director

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