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Hwange National Park

  • Destinations
  • Zimbabwe
  • Hwange National Park
OVERVIEW ITINERARY IDEAS ACCOMMODATION WHEN TO GO? WHERE NEXT

Why Go

Combine a Hwange safari with the Falls

Hwange is Zimbabwe’s largest national park, known best for its heavyweight game viewing and beautiful wild landscapes. It’s also conveniently close to Victoria Falls, lying less than a 3-hour drive away. This makes a Hwange safari easy to combine with Victoria Falls, giving travellers the chance to enjoy a classic big game safari with all the drama and activities of ‘the Smoke that Thunders’.

And a Hwange certainly delivers a big game safari: home to an estimated 30 000 elephants and huge herds of buffalo, this park is one of the last refuges for endangered black rhino and African wild dogs. All the big cats – lions, leopards and cheetahs – are resident and you’ll see giraffe, zebra, antelope, warthog and baboons. Spot-lit night drives and guided walks reveal smaller and more elusive creatures but some of the best game viewing is often from the comfort of a hide set over a waterhole.

Hwange safari accommodation ranges from luxurious lodges to comfortable tented camps – there are ones better suited for honeymooners, and others that are more family-friendly. A combination of similar-type accommodation usually delivers the best experience. Choose from lodges set in the park itself and ones located in adjoining private concessions. Park-based lodges have easy access to some of the best game viewing areas of the park; privately run concession-based lodges enjoy exclusive sightings and offer extra activities – night drives and walking safaris.

Talk to Safari Online about a Hwange safari. We’ll recommend the best tour or accommodation for your requirements. We can also tailor-make an itinerary for you including Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe’s other top safari destination – Mana Pools National Park – where you can add canoeing on the Zambezi River to the list of adventures.

Hwange National Park on the map

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What to Do

Things to look forward to in Hwange

1. Go on a Game Drive

Enjoying the advantage of open-sided & raised 4X4s, you’ll sit back to some of the best game viewing in Zimbabwe. Local guides know the park intimately & ensure you get the best possible sightings.

2. Visit Smoke that Thunders

Whether you’re planning a day trip or a few nights, Victoria Falls lies an easy 3-hour drive away from Hwange. Choose from accommodation on either the Zimbabwe or Zambia side of the Zambezi River.

3. Track Big Cats & Wild Dogs

Hwange has long had a reputation for lions but this landscape is also home to Africa’s other big predators: leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena & even a roving pack or two of African wild dogs.

4. Enjoy a View for Two

Several of Hwange’s lodges offer very luxurious & discreet accommodation, making them perfect for romance. Private candle-lit dining, indulgent honeymoon suites & personal service are part of the experience.

5. Search for Rare Animals

Home to familiar African animals, Hwange National Park is also a haven for rarer ones. Your guide will be on the lookout for roan & sable antelope as well as rare black rhino & endangered wild dogs.

6. Go on a Night Drive

Lodges in private concessions conduct spot-lit night drives, putting you in the front seat for Africa’s nocturnal show. It’s a chance to see creatures such as wild cats, porcupines & giant eagle owls.

7. Bring Birding Binoculars

Home to 60% of Zimbabwe’s birds, the 420 or so species of Hwange attract bird watchers from across the world. Birding is great throughout the year but exceptional in summer when migrant species arrive.

8. Walk the Wild Side

A guided nature walk gives you the chance to see the smaller details & enjoy some excellent bird watching. For the truly adventurous, multi-day horse-riding is available in Hwange NP.

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Reviews

Professional, quick and top of the edge service!!!

From the very first contact we’re very happy about the respond time and quality of information from safari-online.com. Based on the received first tailor-made quote, which is a weblink with all the details about the flights, photos of the lodges etc. we knew that this is “our” partner for this trip. Our expectations were excelled!!!

Lukas (Germany)
Safari Online made our fantastic family holiday dream come true!!

Safari Online have been nothing but professional and incredible from the time we made our first enquiry to the last day of our stunning holiday. Nothing was too much trouble for Walter. We are now starting to plan our next family Safari for 2019. Guess who we will be booking with??? Safari Online we hope you are ready!!!!!

Penni (AU)
Professional, patient, efficient and responsive. Met all our travel needs and requirements spot on

Communication was excellent – I asked A LOT of questions and did a ton of research myself and Walter was extremely patient with me and very responsive. he was straight forward and extremely professional. Tour itself was excellent – an incredible experience and one never to be forgotten. Everything was spot on.

Neena
Best trip I have ever been on. Highly recommend.

Would highly recommend. Safari online asked questions when booking and were efficient and knew exactly what we were looking for in terms of accommodation and animals were wanted to see. Gave advice on a few little extras with no pressure, which we did and am very grateful which make trip even more exciting. Would definitely recommend booking with them.

Karina was absolutely instrumental to our safari success.

Our experience with Safari Online was excellent. After becoming very frustrated trying to search for a safari destination on our own, we turned to Karina for help and she was a lifesaver.  We had an amazing safari adventure at the lodge–the experience of a lifetime–and are so grateful for her help. We literally couldn’t have done it without her!

Chris (USA)
Walter has always been an excellent communicator and has supported us fully

We have been to Africa for 24 of the last 27 years so know a bit about what is involved. Walter has arranged the details for the last couple of years, and has done a superb job. He is always quick to respond and comes up with answers immediately……..no evasive tactics, always head-on!

Roger (UK)
It was a safari of a lifetime and exceeded all of our expectations!

Our mom grew up in Central and South Africa so we had visited the continent many times. My sister and I wanted to take our teens and husbands to Africa to experience the magic. We had a limited budget but big and specific expectations and by some miracle Walter was able to manage both.

Heather (USA)
Safari Online were extremely efficient and absolutely charming to work with.

Our 28-day itinerary took us to South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana. A magnificent and unforgettable adventure. Everything ran smoothly and efficiently from the flights, transfers, rides, connections, etc. Absolutely wonderful! Can’t thank them enough!

Ann and Mario (Canada)
Very helpful good suggestions for holiday ideas always available for questions good organising

Excellent service and they supplied good suggestions for our holiday they also organised all internal flights and arranged check in for us so we had no worries while on holiday. We have had a most memorable holiday staying at wonderful places thanks to Sabrina and Safari Online. Would recommend Safari Online to organise your holiday.

Lorraine (UK)
An incredibly well organised tour with no hassles whatsoever.

Safari Online understood our needs and was able to present us with sensible options to choose from. It was evident that this tour operator has knowledgable and experienced agents who can arrange a seemless tour. We were provided with a professional online itinary which was comprehensive and easy to use, knew exactely what to expect, and encountered no stumble blocks along the way.

Gwen (AU)