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The place
We relax in the lounge and dining area, keeping one eye on the waterhole in front of camp and the other on the kids, who are busy frolicking in the private splash pool. In the balmy heat of the day, it’s tempting to join them, but we’re pleasantly lethargic, and prefer to sip on our mocktails and enjoy the breathtaking views of the savannah plains.
Built under the dappled canopy of an acacia grove on the edge of a seasonal floodplain, Somalisa Acacia feels like an oasis amid all this rugged wilderness. We catch each other’s eyes and smile as the shrieks of our happy children gain momentum, reading each other’s mutual thoughts that this will surely chase any thirsty animals away.
Luckily, the noise doesn’t chase away our new friends, who join us under the boma. They have kids of their own (now running to the pool to join their playmates), so they’re unfazed.
The rooms
Calling our kids a little later, we wander back to our safari home to freshen up before dinner. We still feel incredulous each time we return to it, with its gauze sliding doors open to 180-degree views of the surrounding bush. Our room is connected to the kids’ room with an interleading walkway, so we’re nearby if they need us, yet we can still steal some much-appreciated couple’s time.
Best of all, each of the rooms has its own en-suite, so while the kids are splashing about in their tub we have the luxury of both indoor and outdoor showers and a copper bathtub to choose from.
After showering, we help the children dress, chatting over their heads about how much we like the light, airy and outdoorsy feel of our canvas sail tent, which billows gently with the refreshing breeze. There’s even a fireplace for the colder nights, but it’s still wonderfully warm
Set on an acacia island in the heart of Hwange National Park, and boasting an elephant pool, natural waterhole and splash pool, adults and kids have plenty to entertain them.
family
retreat
by Melissa Andrews