Big Cave Camp

Location: 46 km peg, Kezi Road,Matobo Hills, Matopos, zw

Star Rating: 9.3 Stars

Property Type: Lodges

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 01:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Check-out: 11:00 AM

Amenities & Facilities

• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
• Parking
• Non-smoking rooms
• Swimming pool
• Restaurant
• Room service
• Terrace
• Family rooms
• Luggage storage
• Safety deposit box
• Tour desk
• Ironing service
• Packed lunches
• Non-smoking throughout
• Private check-in/check-out
• Shared lounge/TV area
• Board games/puzzles
• Shuttle service (additional charge)
• Kid meals
• Outdoor furniture
• Staff adhere to local safety protocols
• Guest rooms disinfected between stays
• Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
• Physical distancing rules followed
• Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
• Cashless payment available
• Fire extinguishers
• First aid kit available
• Sanitized tableware & silverware
• Invoice provided
• Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
• Shared stationery like menus, pens are removed
• Guest room sealed after cleaning
• Physical distancing in dining areas
• Food delivered to guest room
• Process in place to check health of guests
• Screens / Barriers between staff and guests for safety
• Face masks for guests available
• 24-hour security
• Supervised childcare/activities
• Free wired internet
• Self parking (surcharge)
• Airport transportation - pickup (surcharge)
• Airport transportation - drop-off (surcharge)
• Pool sun loungers
• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Game drive nearby
• Internet access
• Housekeeping on request
• Private picnics
• Wine release events
• Exercise/lap pool
• Secured parking
• Swimming nearby
• Hosted evening meal (reserve)
• Bicycle-friendly property
• Charcoal grill
• Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
• Vegetarian menu options available
• Accessible shuttle
• No accessible shuttle
• Accessible train station shuttle
• No accessible train station shuttle

Rooms Available

• Suite

  Featuring 1 bedroom, this suite offers 1 bathroom with a shower, a seating area and terrace where you can relax. The unit features a private entrance, mountain views, a patio and wine/champagne is featured for guests. The unit has 6 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 4 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Private entrance
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Mosquito net
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Coffee machine
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Pool towels
  • Wine or champagne
  • Bottle of water
  • Trash cans
  • Cots
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Shower cap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Window
  • Hand sanitiser

• Family Room

  The family room offers a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, a terrace with mountain views as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower.

  Max Occupancy: 4 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Private entrance
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Mosquito net
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Coffee machine
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Pool towels
  • Wine or champagne
  • Bottle of water
  • Trash cans
  • Cots
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Shower cap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Window
  • Hand sanitiser

• Deluxe Double or Twin Room with Mountain View

  The spacious twin/double room provides a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, a terrace with mountain views as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Private entrance
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Mosquito net
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Coffee machine
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Pool towels
  • Wine or champagne
  • Bottle of water
  • Trash cans
  • Cots
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Shower cap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Window
  • Hand sanitiser

• Twin Room

  The twin room features a private entrance, a tea and coffee maker, a terrace with mountain views as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Private entrance
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Mosquito net
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Coffee machine
  • Terrace
  • Linen
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Pool towels
  • Wine or champagne
  • Bottle of water
  • Trash cans
  • Cots
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Shower cap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Window
  • Hand sanitiser

Guest Reviews

• Ian (10/5): Wonderful place, highly recommend - Gorgeous, unique location. Superb room. Super comfy beds. Lovely views. Fantastic food. Nothing. (Though packed lunches were a bit pricey! 25 USD each for a nice wrap, a muffin, a pear and an apple juice. 15 USD max.)
• Lorraine (10/5): A unique lodge situated in stunning surroundings with fantastic staff! - All the ammenities, stunning surroundings with fantastic staff! Hard to get to but we knew that. It’s what makes it special.
• Chingombe (10/5): A total escape... - The serene quiet surroundings. Gorgeous landscape and the bubbling stream that I could hear from my room. My stay was too short.
• Hubert (9/5): -
• Akimu (8/5): We had a lovely stay. Got a chance to finally meet Dave and Chana, what a great team they are. - The serene atmosphere is unparalleled Nil
• Caudell (10/5): - Rooms and landscape were great. Staff was very receptive.
• Mr. Craig (9/5): Rain, Rhinos, and Remarkable Views - We drove into Big Cave Camp on a rainy afternoon and were immediately greeted by zebras along the winding road; an unforgettable first impression. As the road climbed toward the rocky outcrop where the rooms sit, the setting quickly revealed that the stay would be something special. Our room was a quiet oasis; thoughtfully designed to blend into the surrounding granite landscape while offering comfort, privacy, and sweeping views across the Matobo Hills. The attention to detail continued throughout the stay, beginning with the food. Chef Shadreck produced a series of exceptional dishes from a surprise menu each evening, while Thoby’s attentive and welcoming service ensured every meal and moment at camp felt relaxed and effortless. As the days progressed, the rain cleared, and the landscape opened up under brighter skies. We headed out into Matobo National Park with Shepherd, whose knowledge and humour brought the park to life. He guided us confidently through the maze of granite kopjes and wooded valleys, sharing stories from his own experiences as he patiently tracked wildlife. From a respectful distance, we were fortunate enough to see the park’s rhinos; a moment made all the more memorable by Shepherd’s easygoing commentary, as if they had appeared just for us. Back at camp, there was ample time to enjoy the surroundings. The aptly named Big Cave itself provides a remarkable natural viewpoint across the Matopos landscape; a place where one can sit quietly, listen to the wind moving across the rocks, and watch the light change over the hills to the west. The pool, facilities, and amenities throughout the camp are excellent and provide a perfect space to relax between activities. A special mention goes to Warren for his help in settling us in and ensuring both check-in and check-out were smooth and effortless. Combined with the warm hospitality of the entire team, the camp offers an experience that balances comfort, scenery, and genuine Zimbabwean hospitality. Nothing much to worry about, just one or two squirrels burrowing their way in and reclaiming the space from time to time, but they would scurry away when spotted. It's part of the charm and we were never in any danger.
• Louisa (10/5): Magische Stimmung, tolles Personal, sensationelles Essen, wunderschöne Zimmer: Einfach phantastisch! - D
• Alastair (10/5): - Everything was great, wonderful place
• Dianne (9/5): -
• Ndlovu (9/5): -
• Antonio (10/5): -
• Mazwi (7/5): -
• Jonathan Yudelowitz (8/5): - The setting is utterly breathtaking and the design thoughtful and in keeping with this unique, world-heritage site and the staff willing and polite. It is very peaceful and allows one to appreciate nature at close range. The food was stodgy: more like an old-fashioned boarding house than a four-star lodge. We should have had snacks and drinks available. We would gladly have paid more for this. The selection of wine was also rather poor.
• Mandy (10/5): - Amazing amazing amazing Nothing
• philgdep (10/5): -
• Louisa (10/5): Überwätigend - Die Lage des Camps ist ein Traum! Die Zimmer sind sehr sauber, liebevoll gestaltet und die einzelnen kleinen Häuschen schmiegen sich wie natürlich in die Felsenlandschaft. Die Ruhe und die umliegende Natur, die zu Erkundungen einlädt, ist überwältigend. Auch das Personal ist äußerst herzlich und zuvorkommend. Das Big Cave Camp ist ein wahres Juwel im Simbawe und wir sind Dave und seinem gesamten Team sehr dankbar für die außergewöhnlichen Tage, die wir an diesem wunderbaren Ort erleben durften.
• Karen (9/5): - All very nice
• Scott (10/5): -
• Nyamweda (10/5): -
• Shelley (10/5): -
• Anita (9/5): Prima - Het hotel staat op een mooie locatie. Afstand tot Bulawayo en de slechte weg ernaar toe.
• Cheryl (9/5): -
• Klaus (9/5): - Very unique location, quiet in the middle of a spectacular landscape. Great food and nice tours. Was our 2nd visit here and probably not the last.
• martin (10/5): -
• Peter (10/5): Staff very friendly and we had two wonderful trips at very reasonable prices our guide Sandile was amazing and very kno - The place is majestic and tranquil,if you need to recharge this is the place to be Nothing
• Vena-liz (8/5): Wish we could’ve stayed longer! - The Location on the rocks was amazing. The rooms were clean and comfortable with a great outlook. N/A
• Mkandla (10/5): Exceptional - Scenic views and architecture is engrossed in the landscape
• Manduku (10/5): Exceptional -
• Amir (7/5): Nice location yet there is not much to do around - The location between the rocks is unique The room was not clean and the shower has either cold or boiling water The mattress is 300 years old and the we were literally sleeping on the support wood under it.
• Michael (8/5): A quiet and relaxing place to unwind. Incredible stars at night. - Amazing location with breathtaking views. Pleasant staff. Very quiet and relaxing environment. Fixed meal times and communal dining. Morning coffee was undrinkable. (Although coffee in chalets was very good)
• Michael (8/5): A peaceful and relaxing break from Bulawayo - Fantastic setting. Relaxing. Incredible serenity. Communal meals are not to everyone’s tastes
• Tim (9/5): Incredible lodge amongst the boulders. - Amazing location and lovely hosts and staff. We were made to feel completely at home and were looked after handsomely by the delightful Ashley and Marshall. Excellent base for exploring Matopa Hills Hard to find fault but like everything in Zimbabwe it was a tad expensive.
• Jo (9/5): Fantastic and special place - we will certainly go back! - Big Cave Camp is amazing. It is totally authentic - the whole place is just beautiful and comfortable but not pretentious and the way the lodges sit on the rock has made the most of its spectacular setting. The wifi was only available in the main building which was not ideal but certainly not a big issue. The food was very good. We would have preferred to have the option to sit at our own table at dinner and not always with all the other guests around the big table. But we met wonderful people which we may not have done had we not sat with them all at the big table. The Matopos is a very special and unique place and Big Cave Camp is exceptional in that it allows one the privellege of staying right within it- capturing the beauty and silence and its unique spiritual atmosphere. It would be good to have wifi in the room.
• Malinga (10/5): Splendid and peaceful! - The breakfast was good. Very tasty indeed. Too many lizards around. Some were very scary. Of course that's beyond your control.
• Blanka (10/5): Incredible experience - Location, staff, food and the views were great I was impressed with everything
• Kelosi (10/5): Exceptional -
• Irina (10/5): A very special spot on earth! Will return soon again. - Stunning location and beautiful architecture with excellent personalised service and attention to detail, whimsical sundowners and amazing animal spotting, cave rock art in an ancient and untouched landscape. Marshall and his team, Shepherd, Adeline, Jenny and our tour guide Sandile accommodated all our requests with great ease and made us feel very welcome. Nothing- absolutely stunning
• Peter (10/5): Exceptional -
• Robin (10/5): The perfect treat - Everything, it was just perfect. It’s a heavenly little hideout in the fantastic landscapes of the Matopo area. Nothing
• Philip (10/5): Our stay at the Big Cave camp was the outstanding part of our holiday to Zimbabwe. The staff simply couldn’t do enough f - Everything Nothing
• Adam (10/5): Had an amazing stay at Big Cave, views from the room (and all around) were stunning, wildlife everywhere and very helpfu - Breathtaking views, wildlife everywhere, great staff
• Herman (6/5): Pleasant - Location and facilities in private bungalow were very good. Food was average and often cold. Staff not supervised. No fireplace or heating in the bar and dining areas. All excursions were at extra cost. Not what we expected for the price we paid.
• Michael (10/5): A jewel in the beautiful Matopas where you can have a very relaxing & interesting stop - Big Cave is located on a granite hill (kopje) just outside Matopas Park. The accent is on the view of this most exceptional area, and this is available from the lodge, your (separate) room, and common facilities like the swimming pool and fire pit. The aim is also for visitors to interact, and we all ate together - together with the guide(s). The lodge is about dark wood furniture, and the buildings melt into the hill with the rocks literally coming into the dining area. Our excursions were expertly led by Shepherd - a great man, really passionate about this remarkable location and all it offers. He tailored them a little to our want, and we focused on seeing the rhino, bushman art, and just enjoying the fantastic scenery. We were taken to beautiful dams to look at the hippo, and sat and had a little picnic while watching them. This is a place of great beauty and serenity. The hotel staff were uniformly happy, helpful and engaging. Really great. I grew up in Bulawayo and knew the area quite well. I had a special request which was accommodated without question: I'm so grateful. Perhaps not a lodge feature per se, but we met wonderful people from the UK, Belgium, and France. The communal dining def worked in this regard, and we sat by the fire alter dinner and chatted. No big complaints.
• Gerrit (9/5): Unique experience on the rocks - We had a great time. Lovely walks on the property. The food was excellent
• Jean-claude (10/5): Everything was perfect. - The serenity of the natural environment and the way the lodge blended with its surroundings. The staff were so welcoming.
• Adrian (8/5): Very good -
• Emmanuel (10/5): Exceptional -
• Jesse (10/5): Enchanted - We were pleasantly surprised as the total experience was even more supportive and rewarding than was expected. The blaze of stars at night, the views at sunrise and sunset, and the ever-present call of the giant balancing rocks set a beautiful, tranquil tone for the stay. I will be back. I don't recall having a thought of something that needed correction.
• Allan (8/5): We enjoyed our stay and will definitely consider coming back. Besides the dinner, everything went well and we had a good - Clean and perfect place for nature lovers. Staff was great too. Dinner was underwhelming. There was no wide selection on the menu and chicken was just too dry and not good enough. Desert wasn’t the best. Generally, diner was the only turn off, everything else was good.
• Milka (9/5): Superb -
• Granttge (9/5): Matopos in style! - Fantastic friendly and knowledgeable staff. The site has a wow factor built sympathetically into the granite rock environment. Food was excellent and I particularly enjoyed the atmosphere of all guests and staff dining together round one large table. The accommodation was excellent and stylish. At night time the starry skies were unbelievable! We booked the Rhino tracking activity and were not disappointed, seeing three rhino and tracking one on foot for a good 15 minutes. Our first time here but not the last for sure!
• Monika (10/5): Exceptional - We stayd at Big Cave Lodge for two nights. It was low season an very quiet. The whole staff was very friendly and made our stay unforgettable. Deliciius food under the stars in a amazing landscaoe and atmosphere. The pool is embedded in the rock, as well as a beautiful veranda by the pool with a small lounge. Everything was perfect. High recommended! Thanks to Gery and team to had us as your guests.
• Maria (10/5): Exceptional -
• Trudy (8/5): Very good -
• Debbie (10/5): Exceptional - The location is incredible, staff are very friendly, helpful and the guide was extremely knowledgable. Food was delicious and the property was five star.
• Maiuno (9/5): Superb -
• Daniel (10/5): Lovely and wild place - The location in the middle of nowhere was brilliant, we weren’t even sure if we will find it when driving to it! The dinner was very nice and we liked the fact that all lodgers and staff sit at one big table eating together and having nice conversations. We had a pleasure of meeting the owners, who were lovely and very helpful (taking our daughter to feed lizards for example). Tours and activities are very reasonably priced. Dinner might be slightly late for families with small kids or babies. No electricity late at night so no fan on hot nights.
• Samantha (10/5): Exceptional -
• Shantel (10/5): Bouegie Bush Life - The dinner was exceptional. Cauliflower soup is life changing, meat was fantastic and the lava cake pudding was the best I've had since Bali. Breakfast was decent and the banter of the manager made the evening and morning meals super entertaining. Not enough pudding!!!!!
• Steffen (8/5): Very good - Really nice area Beautiful rooms with view Food was really Good Wifi as written really Bad Some organizational tropics where Little bit complicated
• Baptiste (10/5): Exceptional -
• Lauren (9/5): Superb - Immersed in nature, cleverly designed, rock dassies a treat. Beautiful spot, lovely views, great room and amazing meals. Very hospitable staff. Animals are on the property for game viewing so not essential to visit main National park every day. Very good activities offered. Highly recommended Not affordable for most Zimbabweans to stay more than 1 night, sadly!
• Duduzile (9/5): Superb -
• Audrey (9/5): Superb - Unbeatable location with a lot of privacy for each room, beautiful central hall for lunch & dinner. It was the perfect way to experience Matopo even if for 1 night! The staff was lovely and very helpful. Wifi needs to be improved - given there is no cell network in the area, guests should have access to decent wifi
• Richard (9/5): Superb -
• George (10/5): Exceptional -
• Maggie (10/5): My family had a very happy time at big cave camp. All the staff were friendly and helpful. Special thanks to channa. She -
• Christian (10/5): A unique and wonderful experience. - It's about Location, location, location! And the great staff. Embedded in one of the enigmatic rock heaps of Matobo this place is a one of a kind experience. The breakfast room has integrated one of the giant bolders as main wall. And every single hat has an amazing view over the landscape. The food prepared by the chef was great as well. And at night a gazillion stars twinkled above our heads. We loved our stay at the Big Cave Camp. There was nothing we didn't like. But our tiny Toyota struggled a little bit to drive on the short dirt road to the hotel parking. But it was manageable in the end.
• Gareth (9/5): Superb -
• Christopher (10/5): Fantastic. - The camp, scenery, staff and trips were all fantastic. On top of that the room and food was exceptional. Nothing. All good.
• Emily (9/5): Superb -
• Cleopatra (8/5): Amazing - Everything was great and refreshing it’s quite a distance from the cbd, however it was worth it
• Ian (9/5): a fantastic experience staying in thatched stone chalets in the heart of the awesome Matopos granite hills home of many - fantastic thatched chalets set into side of a kopjie, great food, staff wonderful and walked with rhinos just 5 m away from us can’t think of anything negative really
• Sifiso (8/5): Very good -
• Virgo (10/5): So cozy and peaceful… - The place was so beautiful and peaceful. The staff were so friendly and helpful. A big thank you to Adele, Tawada, Sandile and Shepherds The internet was slow but no much
• Kelly (4/5): Disappointing -
• Robsievw (9/5): Relaxing stay in a beautiful setting - Beautiful and calm spot with amazing views. Lodge was comfortable, food excellent and welcoming staff. Excursion to go see rhinos on foot, San cave paintings and Rhodes grave was also very enjoyable led by highly knowledgeable guide.
• Alvin (9/5): serenity - location shower was a bit dodge
• Matthew (9/5): Superb -
• Siemers (10/5): Exceptional -
• Johannes (8/5): Very good -
• Gemma (10/5): Exceptional - A wonderful experience with very friendly, professional and helpful staff. The food was delicious and well presented. The Guides very knowledgeable and welcoming. The location and views are stunning. Overall, a great place to stay. The WiFi only covered the reception area and limited — first token free and extra to be paid by guests.
• Iain (10/5): Exceptional -
• Michael (9/5): Superb -
• Philip (10/5): The beauty and tranquility of Big Cave was just what we needed. - Staff going out of their way to help us. Lovely chats with other guests and staff.
• Icaro_66 (9/5): A piece of heaven in heart! - Incridible landscape and wonderful service It was all wonderful
• Simon (10/5): Exceptional -

Photos