Hwange National Park

Why visit Hwange National park

As one of the best-kept gems of the continent, Hwange offers excellent wildlife and colourful bird species. Coming to the top safari activities, from walking safaris to fascinating game drives, it has a lot to offer to its guests.

So, whether you take a Day Trip To Hwange or spend more than one week, you will be ensure an unforgettable Zimbabwe Wildlife experience!

So many elephants:

Hwange national park hosts a large number of elephants famous for their massive breeding herds. There are around 50,000 elephants and some herds are made up of around 300 elephants.

Diverse wildlife:

Hwange National park boasts diverse wildlife and significant birdlife over 100 mammals and 500 bird species. With the impressive elephant herds, the park is also home to other four members of the African Big5. In addition, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, antelopes (gemsbok, greater kudu, sable and roan antelope) and many others can be found in Hwange.

There are many man-made waterholes you can find in the park and you will see animals around them, especially in the dry months. You can spot pods of hippos and crocodiles around these water holes.

World-class accommodation facilities:

Hwange National Park has many beautiful accommodations which have largely improved in recent years. Thanks to the welcoming efforts of the wildlife safaris to revive the safari lodges and camps in this African region.

There are several safari lodges in Hwange that are run by private operators and located in private concessions. You will get served by world-class facilities from them never less than Serengeti and Okavango Delta.

Best Time To Visit

Hwange National Park is a year-round Safari destination. Yet, the Best Time To Visit Hwange is from March to May and from September to November. These shoulder seasons boast desired weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices.

• If you want to visit Hwange for the best wildlife viewing, you should opt for the dry winter months between May and October.
• The peak game viewing time is June and July months when the bushes thin out and the animals congregate in large numbers around the water sources.
• If you are a bird lover, you should choose between November and February to visit Hwange while on your Safari In Zimbabwe. February is the best time for birding as hundreds of migrant birds are present in large numbers.

How to get to Hwange National Park

It’s easy to access Hwange National Park in various ways. The close distance Victoria Falls Airport is the most accessible way to enter Zimbabwe by air.

By Air-

Regular flights connect from the city of Johannesburg to Victoria Falls Airport (VFA). Victoria Falls connects Hwange with the rest of Africa through connecting flights.

Domestic Flights-

Domestic flights between parks are usually incorporated into your Zimbabwe Safari Packages and are most often booked by your tour operator. Hwange is not connected by any scheduled flight.

By Road-

Land transfers from the airport are the only way to reach the Hwange National Park via car rental drive. The weekly buses also travel to Botswana with a stop at the border of Hwange.

Travellers can reach the main camp side on a tar road which is located 200 km south of Victoria Falls. It takes hardly 3 hours to get into the park.

To visit some other camps deeper in the park, especially in the rainy season, a 4WD vehicle might be needed.

Main Attractions of Hwange National Park

Hwange national park is a place of many breathtaking attractions. Visitors come here to enjoy the safari and see the rich diversity of wildlife and birdlife that calls the park home. Apart from that the park is also well-known for its archaeological and historical sites.

Excellent Wildlife game:

Hwange National Park is an excellent wildlife area that boasts over a hundred great and small animal species. In the park, you can see a variety of wildlife games, predators, and some unique animals that can’t find anywhere else.

Hwange is home to one of the largest elephant populations in the whole of Africa. The Hwange National Park is the largest in Zimbabwe and is well known for its abundance of wildlife and birdlife.

Abundant of Bird species:

Hwange National Park is home to around 400 bird species including some unique and endangered species. In the warmer season, Hwange hosts many migratory birds including Southern Ground Hornbill, the Martial eagle, Cape Griffon, Dickinson’s kestrel, and many others.

Archaeological and Historical sites:

Apart from wildlife and birdlife, Hwange has also some famous archaeological, cultural, and historical sites like the Bumbusi National monument. There are also many amazing landscapes that are worth visiting such as Chivasa Pan, Tshakabika Hot Springs, Nehimba Pan, and Masuma Dam as well.

Excellent photographic opportunities:

Hwange also offers a great opportunity for excellent photography because of its diverse landscapes. It’s like heaven for wildlife and nature photographers. It offers picturesque views of nature and stunning wildlife games as well.

Animal conservation:

Like many other national parks in Zimbabwe, Hwange is always alert on the conservation process. It works on both wildlife and nature conservation. Here you can see the painted dog conservation centre and like some others.

Hwange was on the hot conservation discussion in the last few years after the death of Cecil, the Lion. This news raised awareness of the issues of wildlife conservation in Africa. Read more about Zimbabwe wildlife conservation.

Entrance fees & rates of Hwange National Park

The Hwange National Park is located in the southwest of Zimbabwe. Its main entrance is located 2-3 hours of drive or 30 minutes of air journey south of Victoria Falls.

Entrance fees of Hwange are quite reasonable:

Private Vehicle Fees:

Travel Tips for Hwange National Park

You need to ware about some essential travel information to visit Hwange while on your Safari To Zimbabwe. These help you to travel in this iconic park, at its fullest.

• Most of the park’s roads are fit for driving with 2×4 vehicles.
• There are many options available to stay that suit a range of budgets-everything from safari camps to luxury safari lodges.
• Apart from the guided drive and self-drive, you can also prefer horseback safaris for game viewing.
• Hwange is a year-round safari destination and is also accessible in the wet season between November to April. Although it’s hard to spot big games during this time, it’s the best time for birding safari.
• Though October comes under the best time to visit Hwange, it’s also the hottest month of the year. So, it can be quite difficult for those sensitive to hot weather.

Things to do in Hwange National Park

When Traveling To Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park is a must-visited safari destination on any Zimbabwe Safari Packages. Here, you can explore many amazing safari experiences while visiting Hwange. Here are some must-do activities-

Game drives in Hwange National Park:

Like other national parks in Africa, Hwange also offers the traditional game drive for the best safari experience. No visit to Hwange can be completed without a game drive.

The morning game drive is most attractive because of more wildlife sightings. It starts early in the morning between 6 am and gives the chance to witness many wildlife games.

There is a full-day game drive one can do between 6 am to 6 pm and can encounter the Big Five who roam freely in the park.

Bird Watching in Hwange:

Hwange National Park hosts a good concentration of birdlife that attracts thousands of bird enthusiasts. Around 400 bird species including some migratory birds can be seen in Hwange making it a twitcher’s paradise.

Just keep your eyes open and look up to the sky and you never miss out on the incredible sightings of many eye-catching bird species.

Visiting the Painted Dog Conservation Center:

Wild dogs are called painted dogs having roamed through many countries. Their numbers are dropping down slowly from around 50, 000 to only 3,000. This huge drop in numbers resulting the loss of natural habitat.

The Painted Dog Conservation Center in Dete, Zimbabwe is like heaven for them. It works intending to address the real issues through the protection of orphaned wild dogs. It also provides education and development projects for the growth of the local communities.

Village tour experiences:

To develop tourism in the Hwange District, steps have been taken to visit local villages around tourist destinations. So, while you are on your Zimbabwe Safari to Hwange National Park, you should go on a cultural visit. Through this, you can learn more about the local people and their epic cultures.

Their hand-made craft and arts will teach you more about their skill and intelligence. Purchasing these things, empower them to support their families.

Wildlife sightings

Hwange has a good wildlife concentration with over 100 mammals, around 400 bird species, and 100 tree species.

• It is famous for its large elephant herds which travellers can encounter in the park.
• There is also a significant population of African Painted Dogs (Wild Dogs) and the population of Hyena and Gemsbok as well.
• When lions are common to encounter, leopards and rhinos are luckily seen.
• Apart from these, many other animals can be seen including giraffes, sable, eland, waterbuck, zebra, warthog, baboon, and cheetahs.
• Hwange is also an ideal, place for birds including around 400 species. You can spot the iconic ground-dwelling kori bustard and crowned cranes dancing during the mating season as well.

Safari Game Drive in Hwange National Park

Game Drives through the park focuses on all of the plant and animal species found in the area. You will be led by our experienced guide who knows everything about the Hwange and is passionate about every living creature around. He will educate you on details ranging from the smallest insects to the tallest trees. His efforts ensure the experience you get would be a lifelong memory.

• Hwange is one of the few renowned elephant sanctuaries left in Africa. So, going for a game drive to spot the elephant herds around the muddy waterholes is best among all game drives.
• The park is home to myriad four-legged residents that you will encounter while on a game drive. It includes all the members of the Big Five, elegant giraffe, swift cheetah, and striped zebra.
• At the time of the dry season in Hwange, lions are cached hunting the majestic elephants. This rare phenomenon is simply surprising at that time.
• The cold months of the game drive take the tourists to spot the calving of wild dogs. It’s astonishing to see their increasing number with the arrival of the puppies.
• After the full-day game drive, begin the evening tour by indulging in decadent African delicacies under the dazzling sky. Witness the nocturnal species and enjoy the wilderness at night.

What types of travellers would enjoy the Hwange NP

Travellers who want to experience Victoria Falls along with a wildlife-rich park will love the proximity of Hwange. It is one of the most visited landmarks in the world.

Family Safari To Hwange offers many game viewing facilities suitable for every age. For those looking for a self-drive, Hwange is the best option to roam in the wild with their own company.

Accommodation Options in Hwange

There are many options for private lodges both inside and outside of the park which provide fully-inclusive rates. There are wildlife Management Authority Camps inside the park and they have self-catering cottages and wildlife campsites.

Amalinda Collections

The Amalinda Safari Collection is set in the remote wilderness area of Hwange National Park. It offers luxury intimate safari experiences to tourists. Their Driving You Wild touring service offers reliable, safe, and responsible transfers throughout Zimbabwe. The passionate and experienced guide will get you to know more about the flora and fauna of Hwange.

Bomani Tented Camp

To experience great year-round game viewing in Hwange, you need to look no further than Bomani. It always prefers to plan your safari time around you and offers luxury services to the guests.

Let us arrange a travel package to meet your budget if you are heading on a Zimbabwe Safari.

Visit Hwange with less crowd, and magnificent sightings!

What makes Hwange so special is its fewer crowds, giving the chance for an intimate Zimbabwe Safari Experience. All of its biodiversity, enormous elephant herds, and ease of game viewing make the park an authentic safari destination in Zimbabwe.