Big Cave Camp: Our View

Big Cave Camp rests atop a giant whale back granite outcrop, commanding inspirational views across the UNESCO World Heritage Matobo National Park. Only 46km from the southern Zimbabwean town of Bulawayo, the lodge is easily accessible for self drivers and fully inclusive travellers alike.

Accommodation is offered on a full board basis, including all meals, local drinks and activities. Alternatively, according to individual preference one can choose to do a half board or a bed and breakfast option. The lodge boasts 6 en suite chalets, a honeymoon suite, and a family suite for people travelling with children. All of the chalets are spacious and built out of stone under a thatch roof and are positioned with stunning views overlooking the National Park below. The main areas include a bar and dining area where guests dine communally with guests and lodge staff, a well stocked library with wifi, and a swimming pool. Big Cave Camp is an excellent choice for people looking for a very well priced , mid-range accommodation option. The camp is well known for its wonderful personal service and friendly staff. 

The Matopos Hills hold a wealth of well-preserved historical content, including thousands of San Bushman rock art, the tomb of Cecil John Rhodes amongst other famous explorers. This National Park remains one of the last strongholds for the critically endangered black and white rhino. Activities include game walks and game drives, rhino tracking, visits to the caves and rock art galleries, hikes up to the “World’s View” (Rhodes tomb site), mountain biking, excellent bird watching, and cultural village visits.

Particular to this area are a high concentration of rock dassies (Hyrax) which are a small herbivorous mammals, a particular favorite of leopard, which explains why the Matopos quite fairly claims to have the largest concentration of leopard populations in the world. Large raptors also feed on the hyrax, and Matopos is famous for its large numbers of raptors and in particular the majestic rare Black Eagles.

Big Cave Camp: Quick Facts

• 6 chalets, honeymoon suite and family room, all with private decks
• Full board, half board, and bed and breakfast options available
• Wifi
• Swimming pool
• Transfers available from Bulawayo and Hwange
• Rhino tracking by vehicle and on foot
• San Rock Art
• Cultural village visits
• Historical tours including "Worlds View" (Rhodes tomb site)
• Game drives in the National Park
• High botanic diversity including over 200 species of trees and rare endemic plants
• Community Project at Whitewaters Secondary School, Matobo (voluntary sponsorship)

Big Cave Camp: The Details

We would recommend staying at least 3 nights at Big Cave – with so many activities and points of interest it is well worth a visit to this extraordinary area. The lodge is fairly accessible for less mobile/active people, and with its commanding views is a wonderful place to simply relax and soak up the essence of this magically ancient location, revered by man since the pre-middle stone age, some 300 000 years ago.