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Hwange National Park

  • Destinations
  • Zimbabwe
  • Hwange National Park

When to Go

Best time to Visit Hwange NP

Hwange’s long dry winter (May to October) is generally seen as the best time for game viewing. Animals are increasingly concentrated around water and the leafless landscape makes spotting them easier. It is also the time of lowest risk from malaria and the most comfortable time to visit from the perspective of climate: temperatures from May through August are mild to warm with cold nights and virtually no rain.

Travellers should note that the dry season coincides with the lowest water levels at Victoria Falls – especially September to November. The falls are in full flow from February to May but this is when game viewing conditions are not optimum in Hwange – there may be heavy rain, animals are widely dispersed and the malaria risk is at its highest.

The June to August period is a good compromise: excellent game viewing at Hwange and still an enormous amount of water going over Victoria Falls.

Hwange’s summer season will appeal to returning safari travellers, wildlife photographers and bird watchers. The mass birthing of especially impala antelopes means plenty of predator activity; the landscape is beautifully green and lush; and the arrival of summer’s migrant birds cements Hwange’s reputation as one of the best birding destinations in southern Africa.

Jan/ Feb/ Mar/ Apr
Peak rainy season; great bird watching (Vic Falls full flow)
May/ Jun/ Jul/ Aug
Dry season, sunny days & cold nights; peak game viewing months
Sep/ Oct
Hot & dry; best waterhole game viewing (Vic Falls very dry)
Nov/ Dec
Early rainy season; antelope birthing season
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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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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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.

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)
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)
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
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)