Concept website by Thornveld Studio. Mkhulu Pan Lodge is a fictional lodge created to show what a direct-booking site can do.
An elephant drinking at a waterhole at sunset
Book direct · save 10% + free transfers

Wake up to elephants at your own waterhole.

Eight private suites on the edge of Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Twice-daily game drives, walking safaris and long dinners under the stars.

The thatched main lodge with a lounge and dining area
4.9Guest rating
The lodge

Small on purpose. Wild by nature.

Mkhulu Pan sits on a private waterhole twenty minutes from Hwange's main gate. With only eight suites, game drives never feel crowded and our guides get to know what you want to see.

Days start with coffee on the deck as elephants come down to drink, and end around the fire with a cold drink and the sound of lions calling in the distance.

8Private suites
2Game drives daily
20 minTo Hwange gate
Where you'll stay

Suites with a view of the waterhole

Every suite faces the water, with an outdoor shower, a private deck and full board included.

A suite with a four-poster bed under a thatched roof

Waterhole Suite

Sleeps 2 · 65 m² · Private deck

A thatched suite with a four-poster bed, a lounge and wide doors that open straight onto the waterhole.

$395per person, per night
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An infinity pool overlooking the bush

Plunge Pool Suite

Sleeps 2 · 80 m² · Private pool

Our most private suite, set apart from the main lodge with its own plunge pool and sunset views over the plains.

$480per person, per night
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A wooden deck with a sunken firepit beside the water

Family House

Sleeps 4 to 6 · Two bedrooms

Two en-suite bedrooms around a shared lounge and firepit deck. Children of all ages welcome, with a private guide on request.

$320per person, per night
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Your days

More time with the wildlife, less time in the car.

Hwange is home to one of Africa's largest elephant populations. Our guides know exactly where to find them.

An elephant beside a game drive vehicle

Game drives

Morning and afternoon, in open vehicles with no more than six guests.

A herd of elephants at a waterhole at dusk

Waterhole hide

Sit at eye level with elephants from our underground hide.

A giraffe in the bush

Walking safaris

Track game on foot with an armed, professional guide.

A safari vehicle at sunset

Sundowners

Drinks at a hidden viewpoint as the sun sets over the plains.

Why book direct

The best rate is always here.

Booking with us directly means a lower price for you and more of your money staying with the lodge, our team and our conservation work.

Book direct
Book directBooking sites
Best available rate10% offStandard rate
Airport transfersFreeExtra
Free date changesUp to 30 daysDepends on site
Talk to the lodgeWhatsApp, 7 daysCall centre
Room requestsGuaranteedNot guaranteed
Two elephants drinking at a sunny waterhole
From your deck

The waterhole is the show, and you have the best seat.

In the dry season, herds of fifty or more elephants come down to drink, often within sight of your bed.

Guest stories

What our guests remember

4.9average rating
from 212 guest reviews
★★★★★
We watched forty elephants drink from our bed at breakfast. Nothing else on our trip came close.
Hannah · United Kingdom
★★★★★
Our guide found us lions on the first drive and wild dogs on the third. Small lodge, huge experience.
Marco · Italy
★★★★★
Booking direct was so easy. They answered every question on WhatsApp and picked us up from the airport.
Lerato · South Africa
Rates 2026 to 2027

Simple rates. Everything included.

Per person, per night, sharing. Book direct and take 10% off these rates.

SuiteGreen season
Nov to Mar
Peak season
Apr to Oct
Waterhole Suite$310$395
Plunge Pool Suite$385$480
Family House$250$320
Children 6 to 1250%50%

Children under 6 stay free. Single guests pay a 30% supplement in peak season only.

Included in every stay

  • All meals, local drinks and house wine
  • Two shared game drives every day
  • Guided walks and waterhole hide visits
  • Laundry and Wi-Fi in the main lodge
  • Free return transfers from Hwange airport when you book direct
Getting here

Easier to reach than you think

45 min

From Hwange National Park airportFree transfer when you book direct.

2.5 hrs

From Victoria FallsRoad transfer or a short charter flight.

5 hrs

From BulawayoA scenic drive on tarred roads, with secure parking at the lodge.

Good to know

Before you travel

When is the best time to visit?

June to October is peak game viewing, when animals gather at the waterholes. November to March is green, quieter and cheaper, with newborn animals and excellent birding.

Do I need a visa for Zimbabwe?

Many visitors can get a visa on arrival or an e-visa before travel. The KAZA UniVisa also covers day trips to Victoria Falls on the Zambian side. We'll send you a checklist once you book.

Is it a malaria area?

Yes. We recommend speaking to your doctor about anti-malaria medication before you travel. All suites have mosquito nets and repellent.

How do I pay?

A 30% deposit secures your booking, with the balance due 60 days before arrival. We accept international bank transfers and card payments.

Book direct

Plan your stay with the lodge itself

Send your dates and we'll reply on WhatsApp or email within a few hours with availability and your direct-booking price.

  • 110% off our published ratesOnly when you book with us.
  • 2Free airport transfersHwange airport, both ways.
  • 3Free date changesUp to 30 days before arrival.
Demo: this is the message the lodge would receive on WhatsApp

No payment needed to enquire.