Safari Guide: Hwange National Park

Zimbabwe’s largest nature reserve and one of the best safari destinations in the world for witnessing elephant herds up close, Hwange National Park stretches over 14,650 sqkm of vast open expanses of pure African wilderness. It is a place where wildlife can be found at every turn, and a sense of adventure is never far away.

Known for its exceptional game drives and walking safaris, this park is tailormade for those seeking a front-row seat to Africa's most iconic animals flourishing in their natural habitat, including the iconic Big 5. The landscape is as diverse as the creatures within it, ranging from Zambezi teak forests, open savannahs, seasonal pans, and desert sands blown in from the nearby Kalahari. Hwange is a safari experience that ticks all the right boxes.

The oldest of Zimbabwe’s national parks, Hwange was established as a game reserve in 1928, and by the 1960s, it had gained national park status. The park serves as the nation’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage and protecting the abundant wildlife that calls the land home.

Lying between Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city, and the spectacular Victoria Falls, it is a must-visit safari spot for those who come to this extraordinary country. Despite challenges like poaching and water shortages, Hwange National Park has become a leader in safari conservation efforts in Southern Africa. Today, the park captivates visitors from around the world with its unforgettable safari experiences and stunning landscapes that rival anywhere else in Africa.

While it is a year-round safari destination, choosing the best time to visit Hwange National Park will depend on what type of wildlife encounters you desire. Like most safari destinations in Africa, when to visit can be split into two distinct seasons: the hot and humid wet season in summer and the milder dry season in winter.

For those looking to spot big game and predators, the dry season is your best bet. This is why it is often recommended for first timers and those that want the classic safari experience. But if you want to see nesting birds and baby antelopes frolicking in the open grasslands, then you will find the summer season ideal, and with far less crowds.

Dry Season - May to October

Average Temperature: 20°C - 29°C

Average Rainfall: 6mm

During the dry season, rainfall is minimal and humidity levels are low, making it an ideal time for wildlife viewing. Although there are hotter days, particularly towards the end of the dry season, the overall period tends to have cooler mornings and evenings and the weather is generally more pleasant, providing comfortable conditions for game drives and other adventures out in nature.

As seasonal pans dry up, animals come from far and wide to gather around the man-made waterholes, and the sparse vegetation makes it all the easier to spot your favourite African animals out on the plains.

Wet Season - November to April

Average Temperature: 23°C - 26°C

Average Rainfall: 44mm

If you prefer lush green landscapes and have a keen interest in bird watching, then the wet season is a fantastic time to visit. At this time of year, you will find the land teeming with life and an abundance of birds, butterflies, and baby animals await you.

Large numbers of migratory birds flock to the park during this season. These include the richly coloured carmine bee-eater with its scarlet and teal plumage, and the European roller, a striking blue bird that migrates to Africa to escape the northern hemisphere's winter. The wet season also offers visitors clearer views thanks to the lack of dust in the air, leading to superior safari photo opportunities.

From majestic big cats to beautiful birdlife, the park's diverse ecosystems host over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 bird species. Hwange gives you the chance to see all of Africa's most celebrated animals including elephants, lions, leopards and rhinos and Cape buffalos.

You will be hard-pressed to think of an African animal that can’t be found at Hwange. Renowned for its gigantic herds of elephants, the park has one of the biggest populations in Africa, with around 45,000 estimated to reside here.

The natural and man-made waterholes and pans are some of the best places to see the park’s variety of wildlife. Head to the Mandavu and Masuma dams in the northwest of the park where you’ll find zebras, impalas, and waterbucks gathering to drink.

Watch hippos wallow contentedly in the water while crocodiles warm themselves along the banks. The concealed lookouts provide excellent photographic opportunities and the chance to witness lions, tongues lapping at the water's edge and elephants using their trunks like water hoses.

Meanwhile, the Nyamandhlovu Pan to the southeast features an elevated viewing platform giving you the perfect vantage point to see the wonder of nature play out before your very eyes. Keep your eyes peeled for stealthy leopards gliding silently among the sparse acacias and see large herds of Cape buffalo moving through the open grasslands.

The park is also home to the endangered African wild dog, whose distinctive mottled coats can sometimes be seen roaming the savannah. Both black and white rhinos can also be found at Hwange in the bushland. Look up to the sky and see the diverse birdlife, from the colourful lilac-breasted roller to the regal African fish eagle, whose distinctive call echoes across the plains.

As night falls, the park comes alive with nocturnal creatures. Take part in a thrilling night safari and see spotted and brown hyenas scavenge under the cover of darkness for the day's leftovers while aardvarks and porcupines can be heard rustling in the undergrowth.

When it comes to where to stay there is no shortage of luxury accommodation options that make for the perfect mix of comfort, relaxation and unforgettable animal encounters. Staying in of the camps located within the park itself gives you the ultimate safari experience where the calls of the wild are never too far away. So, with this in mind here are our favourite camps at Hwange National Park.

Somalisa Acacia

Nestled on the fringes of a seasonal floodplain and sheltered from the Zimbabwean sun under a canopy of acacia trees sits a little slice of secluded tranquillity, Somalisa Acacia. This camp is ideal for families or private groups looking to unwind in luxurious, en-suite tents after a long day's game drive.

Bask in the beauty of nature on your private deck with a 180-degree view of the sprawling savannahs that surround you. Watch inquisitive elephants quench their thirst at the nearby elephant pool, all from the comfort of your lounge chair, or enjoy a cosy bush dinner under the starlit sky as you create memories of a lifetime.

Little Makalolo

Strategically located overlooking a thriving waterhole, the camp is where animals of all kinds come to visit. This intimate camp is made up of six traditional tented rooms, including a dedicated family suite, and outfitted with solar-powered lights and hot water for a rejuvenating stay. Explore the camp's charm through winding teak walkways.

Relax by the pool or sip a drink at the bar with the gentle sounds of nature to serenade you. Head to the cleverly disguised log-pile hide for up-close wildlife encounters with African elephants. Observe these giant grey guests cooling themselves in the waters and practice your wildlife photography skills in the process.

The Hide

A stay at Hwange Park doesn’t get more exhilarating than this, where your days and nights will be filled with thrilling game drives, immersive bush walks, and unrivalled wildlife viewing from the underground hides that populate the camp. Stay in one of ten luxuriously furnished tents, all with their own en-suite, and be swept away by the magic that this place brings.

Look out over the waterhole from your private veranda and see it abuzz with all manner of African wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffalos, and more. When evening comes, select a bottle of wine from the underground cellar and raise a glass as you drink in the beautiful sunset.

Want to explore the beauty and wonder of Hwange National Park on your very own safari adventure? Get in touch with our expert travel team today: +44 (0) 20 3821 5994 (UK), +1 (833) 215 9353 (US), or explore@niarratravel.com and begin creating your dream trip.