Hwange National Park: Zimbabwe's great elephant park

Why visit

Hwange covers roughly fourteen and a half thousand square kilometres, about the size of a small country. There are no permanent rivers inside the park, so in the dry months the wildlife depends on waterholes, many of them pumped. That makes for spectacular viewing: sit at a pan in September and you may watch herd after herd of elephants arrive to drink, with buffalo, zebra and giraffe waiting their turn. Hwange is also one of the best places in Africa to see **painted dogs**, and its lions became known around the world through research here.

When to go

The best game viewing is from about **July to October**, when the bush is thin and animals crowd the waterholes. June to August is cool, with cold mornings, so bring warm layers for open vehicles. October is very hot. From November to March the rains bring green landscapes, baby animals and great birding, but wildlife spreads out and some camps close.

Areas of the park

**Main Camp**, near the north eastern entrance, is the easiest area to reach, with the national parks rest camp, the Nyamandhlovu platform overlooking a busy pan, and good self drive loops. **Sinamatella** and **Robins** in the north west are wilder and hillier. The **Linkwasha** and **Makalolo** concessions in the south east have private camps and some of the best game in the park. The **Ngamo** area and nearby communities offer good value lodges just outside the boundary.

Ways to explore

Most visitors take guided game drives in open vehicles. Zimbabwe's professional guides are among the most highly trained in Africa, and **walking safaris** with a licensed guide are a highlight. Self drive is possible on the main roads around Main Camp, but sandy tracks need a high clearance vehicle and experience. Some camps offer night drives and hides at waterholes.

Where to stay

Options run from **national parks rest camps** and campsites, which are simple and good value, to mid-range lodges outside the park near Dete and Main Camp, to high end tented camps in private concessions. Book early for July to October. Check rates and availability with the operator or the parks authority directly.

Getting there

Hwange Main Camp is about two hours by road from Victoria Falls on a tarred highway, making it easy to combine the two. Some camps include road or light aircraft transfers from Victoria Falls. There is also a slow overnight train between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls that stops at Dete, but it is unreliable and best treated as an adventure.

Nearby

The **Painted Dog Conservation** centre near Main Camp explains efforts to protect these rare dogs and is worth a visit. The town of Hwange itself is a coal mining town with little for visitors.

Health and safety

Hwange is a malaria area, so speak to a travel clinic about prevention. Always stay in your vehicle except at designated spots, and follow your guide's instructions on foot. Carry water and sun protection. See our Victoria Falls guide for the classic pairing and the free trip planner to fit Hwange into your route.