
Hwange National Park
The largest national park in Zimbabwe covering a total area of 14 500 km², and that 14 500 km² of some of the most pristine wildlife sanctuary in Southern Africa. Home to a large selection of mammals, birdlife, reptiles, and that includes an impressive 40 000 strong population of elephants.
Formally known as 'Wankie National Park', it was founded in 1928 and has ever since been one of Africa's best known and famed National Parks, and for a good reason, the wildlife experiences within the park are nothing short of spectacular, as are those sunsets.
Hwange National Park Facts
- Size: 14 500 square kilometres
- Location: Western Zimbabwe
- When to visit the park: Year-round
- Altitude: In the region of 1050 metres above sea level
- Accommodation: Lodges In Hwange
Where is Park Hwange National Park located?
Hwange is located in the western region of Zimbabwe on the border with Botswana.
The park is a mere two-hour drive or a 30-minute flight south from Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls and 280 kilometres or a three-hour drive north from Bulawayo and the Motobo National Park.
Click here for a map view of the national park (we have used HERE maps as Google Maps has made a mess of the Hwange area); HERE WeGo Maps - Hwange National Park
Best Time to Visit Hwange National Park?
Hwange National Park is a year-round safari destination with wildlife sightings being easier in winter and birdlife being best in summer.
The winter months, July to October (the dry season), are best for wildlife sightings as the park is dry, and that forces the wildlife to visit the waterholes dotted throughout the park.
The summer months, December to March (the wet season), see's wildlife heading deeper into the bushveld, making it harder for the guides to find them when out on game drives.
Birdlife is good in the dry season but becomes spectacular when the rains start falling, and the migrant species start to arrive.
At Uyaphi.com, we do not have a preferred season to visit; we find that no matter the time of year, Hwange offers something completely different every time. Wildlife sightings are always good, as is the birdlife, game drives are amazing, as is the scenery, sunsets and surrounding bushveld. If you had to push us for an answer, we would probably say the spring, autumn or summer, as the winter mornings can get really cold.
Information On Hwange National Park
Hwange is home to over 100 mammal species, including over 40 000 elephants and almost 400 species of birdlife. Wildlife highlights include; lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, wild dog, sable antelope, to mention only but a few.
Days are spent on safari activities, for example, game drives and short walking safari excursions; stopping off at hides and waterholes is a highlight, especially for those who love photography.
There is a good selection of safaris lodges and camps both within the National Park and just outside park boundaries in private reserves. The more expensive accommodation options are in private concessions within the park; only guests staying at these lodges get access to the area.
Main Attractions Of Hwange National Park
- Wildlife
- Birdlife
- photography hides
- Waterholes
- Sunsets
- Game drives
- 40 000 elephants
- Lions and leopards
- Wild dogs if you are lucky enough
- Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge is set high on the cliffs overlooking the Save River and the fabled Gonarezhou National Park.
Gonarezhou is 'big game country' in a region of Zimbabwe that is as wild as one can get. Wildlife here includes all the cats, rhinos, buffalos and elephants to mention but a few.
- John's Camp
John's Camp in Mana Pools is a breath of fresh air, a classic safari camp experience for those who want and need to escape the modern world.
A small and intimate tented camp for those who want to experience the very best in wildlife and birdlife that Mana Pools National Park has to offer.
- Old Drift Lodge
Old Drift Lodge lies on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, an accommodation option that offers luxury, location and the best of what the region has to offer.
With incredible views of the Zambezi, Old Drift Safari Lodge is the perfect escape that honeymooners and romantics alike have been searching for. - Big Cave Camp
Big Cave Camp is located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site; it is here that one gets the chance to explore the boulder fields, Rhodes Grave and World's View, track rhinos, and view rock paintings when out on game drives.
The surrounding Matobo Hills is as a spectacular a destination as one with find in Southern Africa.
- Ruckomechi Camp
On the western boundary of the Mana Pools National Park, nestled in a large grove of Acacia and Mahogany trees.
Ruckomechi Camp overlooks the Zambezi River with a superb view of the mountains of the start of Africa's Great Rift Valley Escarpment.
- Chikwenya Camp
Chikwenya Camp is located at the confluence of the Sapi River and the Zambezi River, on the eastern border of the world heritage Mana Pools National Park.
Chikwenya Camp enjoys an exclusive 7000-acre lease of pristine lower Zambezi floodplain and some 5km of river frontage.