Imvelo Safari Lodges – Nehimba Lodge Refurb Update

The Imvelo Safari Lodges team just returned from a tour in the field and has shared progress and photos from the ongoing refurb at Nehimba Lodge in Hwange. We’re pleased to report that the main guest area is coming along beautifully. Some of the changes that have been completed include:

• All furniture and cushions restuffed and recovered
• All furniture sanded and revarnished
• All canvas surfaces livened up with wall hangings
• Outside decks sanded and resurfaced
• Stairway from deck to camp fire place installed

The 7 luxurious guest rooms will be fresh, but will retain their spaciousness and elegance. The thatched tents built on teak decks overlook the magnificent lodge pan – a favorite spot for a variety of wildlife and large numbers of elephants, particularly in the dry season. The team has made the following progress on the rooms:

 

• New mosquito nets and frames
• Pine walls sanded and re-painted or stained
• Outside showers floors and indoor showers redone
• Rooms are being bug proofed with netting in open spaces
• Cushions restuffed and recovered
• New carpets and mats
• New and repositioned power points

Other projects such as water reticulation and plumbing are moving along quickly as well. The hard work is paying off with the following accomplished:

• Water pressure has been doubled by installing the ring main pipeline all the way round
• Noisy booster pumps removed
• All pipes, septic tanks and soak-aways relaid deeper and better protected from elephants
• New elephant drinking troughs installed to alleviate elephant drinking pressure

However, the most important news is that there have been significant late rains throughout Hwange! Some places more than others, but the much-needed moisture has alleviated what could have been an extremely precarious situation for the park and its wildlife. Depending what happens over the coming few months, it will still be a below average rainy season, but not catastrophic. The low rains will mean good game viewing, and we are collectively relieved that the pressure has been significantly reduced for the animals.