September 2021 NewsFLASH
The Hide Safari Camp At the moment, it is still cold in the early mornings at The Hide… a jersey or jacket is needed for
Changa. A world removed from life’s cares.
A place where bush, lake, and mountain meet.
Where friends and family feel warmly welcomed, happy to relax and excited to explore.
Lake Kariba, Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe
Changa’s unique and secluded setting opens many of Zimbabwe’s wild wonders. Eight luxury tents are set under sprawling Mopane woodland along Kariba’s shoreline and around a central pool, private beach and bar/dining area. With all this and endless views across the lake under the biggest, bluest skies, why be anywhere else?
In colours and textures that allude to its raw African surrounds, your home at Changa is light, organic, comfortable, and spacious. A private veranda and outdoor bath and shower complete the perfect picture.
Now kick off your shoes and relax.
How wonderful life is when you can experience it in full colour with surround sound…
Changa’s expert guides can’t wait to take you on a game drive or walking along an ancient elephant trail. Fishing in the secret good spots, lounging by the pool, sundowners on the floodplain or a sunset cruise, anyone? It’s all yours.
The Hide Safari Camp At the moment, it is still cold in the early mornings at The Hide… a jersey or jacket is needed for
Matusadona National Park takes its evocative name from the undulating Matusadona hills. However, it is Zambezi-fed Lake Kariba that actually dominates this iconic African safari
Getting up early is not everyone’s cup of tea but it certainly has its rewards once you see the beautifully vivid colours of an African
I had read very good reviews about Changa Camp on Trip Advisor. I included this camp in my itinerary because my grandson Hunter, with whom I was traveling, wanted to... read more fish on Lake Kariba.
Nothing really prepared me for exactly how excellent this camp is.
The manager is superb and is involved with every aspect of the operation.
The location is divine and the camp itself is lovely, not super luxury, but exceedingly comfortable.
The food is delicious, one of the few places during a one month safari to very upmarket lodges where we were continually disappointed with the food.
Since most of our time was spent fishing, David was our primary guide and he was superb. He is an asset to the organization; he is charming, knowledgeable, and very kind and considerate.
I did a walking safari with another excellent guide (please forgive me that I cannot remember his name) who was also first class.
Game viewing will be greatly enhanced bu the introduction of animals by African Parks which was to commence the week after we left.
With that addition, this should be oil all traveler's lists who plan a safari in Zimbabwe.
Kudos to all of you and thank you for making our stay so memorable.
Joan and Hunter Kosove More
We had a fantastic time at Changa. We spent 3 nights during the festive season 2021. From the moment we arrived, the staff were welcoming, ready with refreshing drinks and... read more a nice lunch after the boat transfer. We started that first afternoon with a game drive/sundowner. Changa is located in a beautiful portion of Matusadona facing the water and hills, and for the game drives, you are afforded with all kinds of great views of wildlife framed by the hills and lake. Great snacks and drinks (try the mojito!) for your sundowner. The two guides we used during our time were Greg and Godrick. Both fantastic, knowledgeable guides who explained things in an easily comprehensible way. We recommend the Sanyati gorge boat trip for a scenic afternoon boat cruise, and a bush walk to observe the kinds of things you would not normally notice from a game drive vehicle. Back at camp, the chalets are fantastic. Comfortable, with overhead fans and a mosquito net to protect from mosquitoes during the summer/wet season. Outdoor bath to relax in! very spacious chalets. With his and hers sinks so we didn’t have to share Best of all, early morning filter coffee delivery to prepare for the sunrise game drive departures! The food was also great. They accommodated our vegetarian/pescatarian diet nicely. Tried the unusual but surprisingly really good thyme panna cotta. A testament to the chef (Douglas) and his abilities and creativity.... We had a fantastic time at Changa. We spent 3 nights during the festive season 2021. From the moment we arrived, the staff were welcoming, ready with refreshing drinks and a nice lunch after the boat transfer. We started that first afternoon with a game drive/sundowner. Changa is located in a beautiful portion of Matusadona facing the water and hills, and for the game drives, you are afforded with all kinds of great views of wildlife framed by the hills and lake. Great snacks and drinks (try the mojito!) for your sundowner. The two guides we used during our time were Greg and Godrick. Both fantastic, knowledgeable guides who explained things in an easily comprehensible way. We recommend the Sanyati gorge boat trip for a scenic afternoon boat cruise, and a bush walk to observe the kinds of things you would not normally notice from a game drive vehicle.
Back at camp, the chalets are fantastic. Comfortable, with overhead fans and a mosquito net to protect from mosquitoes during the summer/wet season. Outdoor bath to relax in! very spacious chalets. With his and hers sinks so we didn’t have to share Best of all, early morning filter coffee delivery to prepare for the sunrise game drive departures!
The food was also great. They accommodated our vegetarian/pescatarian diet nicely. Tried the unusual but surprisingly really good thyme panna cotta. A testament to the chef (Douglas) and his abilities and creativity. The bar too was always happy to pour and pour some more! check out bush babies living above the bar!
All in all, fantastic lodge in the under-visited and under-appreciated Matusadona national park. We highly recommend Changa. More
Stunning accommodation, happy and helpful staff, high end cuisine, knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides, cocktails to die for. This team runs so well with great management. Thankyou, we will be back.
The camp was charming. The tents were tastefully decorated. Your game viewing varied depending on the experience and enthusiasm of the guide. We... read more were very lucky. There was a real pool one could enjoy. I would say it is a place where you can spend a few days just relaxing while watching hippos from the hammock on the terrace of your tent
- Elephants relaxing so close to your tent that you cannot open your side door,
- Hippos laughing and grazing next to your bed,
- incredible game drives... read more with pleasant and knowledgably guides,
- candle light dinner on the beach or in the bush around the camp,
- with the most delicious food,
- a team always smiling and helpful,
- an infinity pool looking over the lake in the middle of the bush,
- a camp designed to fit into nature without disturbing it,
- tents set-up beautifully with so much love for details in their design, always clean, with big comfortable beds looking over the lake - what else do you need for a perfect holiday?
We were lucky to visit Changa with our daughter under a year a few times due to overseas family coming to see Zimbabwe. The Changa team made our stay always special and our daughter amazingly good cared for. We would always come back to show and enjoy the camp! Nothing we ever missed. More
My two sons, ages 21 & 28, visited Changa for 4 days and what an incredible experience. I'll start with everyone that works at Change, they are... read more the friendliest most helpful people in the world and went above and beyond to ensure we had the time of our lives. All smiles, all day!
The rooms are amazing, you would never know you are in a tent. The food is incredible and you eat so many times a day its impossible to go hungry. The drinks at the bar or siting ny the pool, top notch! The safaris, on foot, by jeep or on the boat are mid boggling. The amount of wildlife in this area is just so vast and diverse!
Visiting Changa was the last stop on our first ever trip to Arica, something I have dreamt about since I was a little boy and everyone/everything at Changa exceeded expectations
Thank you so much! More
Room 3 with a great view over the lake. The staff were excellent always helpful and couldn't do enough, Amazing food all three days we stayed. Elephant and Leopard seen... read more in camp whilst we were there but we were asleep. Having said that we saw Elephants , Impala, Common Duiker , Steenbok, Warthogs, Tortoises no end of birds and raptors, highlight seeing a Cheeetah!! We had Greg as our guide absolutely amazing, with Cher as overseer of the operation couldn't find fault . AI brilliant and with a laundry service included. Thanks
If you want to be right in the bush but also have the lake close by, then this is THE place to go. The whole stay was so very good... read more that i could say almost faultless. All staff were fantastic at their jobs. With such friendliness and humour and knowledge. Food was incredible and more than ample. The swimming pool was a welcomed blessing in the October heat and always remained very cool and refreshing. I would highly recommend Changa to anyone. I give it 5 stars. Although i wouldn't like to have taken small children. It's wild.
Changa was like another world. It is located on the shores of beautiful Lake Kariba and the camp itself was very well designed. The rooms, food and game... read more viewing were all fantastic but I would say the highlight was the staff team. They were kind, friendly and went out of their way to make our holiday such a memorable one. Thank you!
A true African fishing, safari and bush camp experience. Amazing, amazing ! Great food, service and warm hospitality.
Leopard, a lion kill, close up elephant encounter and lake sun... read more sets just on day one!
Tented luxury with spectacular views!
Changa was such a beautiful camp. The staff were so welcoming, polite and friendly, they would greet you at all times and ask how your day was going. The experiences/activities... read more were brilliant. The camp isn’t massive so you’re never surrounded by too many people. Your activities are usually just yourself and maybe one other couple so you really get a personalised experience. On each activity you have a picnic with yummy snacks and drinks of your choice. We saw so many elephants and baby ones too! The swimming pool was so warm and inviting. I would specially like to mention the chef Tanaka, he was outstanding. I am gluten free and every meal he made for the other guests he made an exact gluten free version- no silly alternatives! I had battered fish, pancakes, bread, cake. He couldn’t have done better if he tried! And I never felt sick once so he really knew his stuff with gluten. Before each meal he takes the time to come explain what you’ll be having and how he made it, his meals are so different and tasty! I would definitely advise going All Inclusive, this includes activities and all drinks! They serve the most amazing ice tea... and every morning you get a tray of tea or coffee brought to your tent for you to have while you wake up and get read for the day. The tents were beautiful and clean, always... Changa was such a beautiful camp. The staff were so welcoming, polite and friendly, they would greet you at all times and ask how your day was going. The experiences/activities were brilliant. The camp isn’t massive so you’re never surrounded by too many people. Your activities are usually just yourself and maybe one other couple so you really get a personalised experience. On each activity you have a picnic with yummy snacks and drinks of your choice. We saw so many elephants and baby ones too! The swimming pool was so warm and inviting. I would specially like to mention the chef Tanaka, he was outstanding. I am gluten free and every meal he made for the other guests he made an exact gluten free version- no silly alternatives! I had battered fish, pancakes, bread, cake. He couldn’t have done better if he tried! And I never felt sick once so he really knew his stuff with gluten. Before each meal he takes the time to come explain what you’ll be having and how he made it, his meals are so different and tasty! I would definitely advise going All Inclusive, this includes activities and all drinks! They serve the most amazing ice tea... and every morning you get a tray of tea or coffee brought to your tent for you to have while you wake up and get read for the day. The tents were beautiful and clean, always had hot water (not that you need hot water it was very good weather you only need cold water most of the time) Sometimes it’s not about the 5* look of the place, it’s about the experience and they way you feel when there. A feeling I’ll never forget and always want to return to!
Nikki&Ryan xx More
Changa Safari Lodge is one of those rare gems that made me want to write a review.
Location determines the best spot for any choice in land investment,... read more and Changa couldn’t be better placed to have everything necessary for a true African Safari experience that is both wild and thrilling, and yet safe and comfortable in every way.
With a determined management focus on wildlife conservation that partners with world leaders like African Parks, visitors will experience Africa at its finest. The word “adventure” springs to mind and you just don’t know what’s around the corner. Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast, fisherman, birder or simply want to sit back and relax within the Changa complex, you are not going to be disappointed. From the hospitality staff through to the rangers, you will feel taken care of every moment of every day and that’s due to a high level of management that has chosen only the best quality individuals for each position.
One has to understand the challenges of operating an exquisite and remote lodge to fully appreciate the effort made by lodge owners to make a guest’s stay truly memorable. Go see for yourself. It’s the real deal.
Mike and Shirley Donald More
We spent 3 weeks in Zimbabwe and absolutely loved every minutes of it. Our last stop was the Changa safari camp and it was wonderful. Every body went out of... read more their way to make our stay unforgettable. Donna, the camp manager, was always present when we had questions. The « tent » was very comfortable and it was lovely to sit on our porch and admire the hippos and the elephants drinking at the lake. The swimming pool was big and clean and the food excellent. Our game drives with Sean were fascinating.
What an amazing property! Our tented living space was spacious and beautiful with a lovely outdoor shower and bath. The food was amazing and the staff was top... read more notch. Our walking safari tour with Daffy was magical and our fishing/boating adventures with Kenneth were so fun! We had the pleasure of meeting the owners, Angus and Pam. What great people with a great vision!
Amazing relaxing stay. The Staff were always smiling and so friendly as usual and made us feel at home. Luke and Jaison's cocktails were delicious, and the food was really... read more enjoyable. Thank you for a relaxing few days
You will never tire of this place. This was our fifth visit to Changa and I just want to keep on coming back. I cannot fault it. ... read more The staff are wonderful, the accommodation is amazing, (specially the outdoor bathroom), delicious food , spectacular pool with views and knowledgeable guides to take you on game drives and fishing or booze cruising. If you have never been to Changa you need to put it on your bucket list.
See you next year and thank you for another fantastic stay.