New safari vehicle at Tamarillo!

May 21, 2026

One of the things many guests have come to associate with Gwango is the experience of getting into one of our very unique game drive vehicles and heading out into the bush. Those drives have always been a big part of how people experience the landscapes, wildlife and everything connected to the places where Gwango has set down roots.

At Gwango Tamarillo Estate in Bulawayo though, things have been working a little differently for a while. Tamarillo is still one of the newer additions to the Gwango portfolio. As many of you know, the property itself has its own history (it was the childhood home of Gwango’s owners before being transformed to the space it is today). As Tamarillo has continued growing, we have been working with trusted tour operators to help guests experience Matobo National Park, Bulawayo (with attractions like Khami ruins) and surrounding areas. The arrangements have worked well and have allowed visitors to still enjoy activities and guided experiences while staying at the estate.

Even so, the plan was always to eventually have our own fleet of Gwango safari vehicles and guiding experiences based directly at Gwango Tamarillo Estate.

That has now happened! Gwango Tamarillo Estate officially has its very first game drive vehicle - and while it may look a little different from the open safari vehicles many Gwango guests are used to seeing in Hwange, there is a practical reason for that. Because the vehicle regularly travels longer distances on public roads between Bulawayo, Matobo and other surrounding sites, it is fully covered for comfort and safety during the journey. It’s equipped with large windows throughout so guests can still take in the landscapes, wildlife and changing scenery along the way.

Having our own safari vehicle and guides at Gwango Tamarillo Estate also allows us to create bespoke experiences for our guests. From Matobo day trips and rhino tracking excursions to historical tours and cultural visits around Bulawayo, there is now more flexibility in how activities are organised and experienced.

For us, this is a big milestone. A sign of how Gwango Tamarillo Estate continues to grow into itself. Just like we intended and hoped for, it has gradually become a space that connects hospitality, history, travel and local experiences and we couldn’t be more excited to see it continuing to take shape in this way. Adding a dedicated vehicle may seem like just another addition from the outside, but it is actually a huge step forward that enables us to create an even more memorable experience for our guests. Not to mention that we likely now have the most unique vehicle in all of Bulawayo - the vehicle was literally custom built on site at Gwango. And for those of you who know our history, you’ll know how much effort goes into searching for each of our legendary original Toyota vehicles, stripping them down, then building them back up as custom safari vehicles for your enjoyment. And honestly, it is also just exciting to finally see a Gwango vehicle pulling up at Tamarillo.

Feel free to email the reservations team at reservations@gwango.com to learn more about the available activities, guided experiences and stays at Gwango Tamarillo Estate or hop onto our website here: gwango.com/activities-in-matobo