Hwange National Park

Hwange National Park used to be known as Wankie Game Reserve, named after a local chief. Today it is Zimbabwe's biggest park and protected area and receives a lot of conservational help from the ministry and safari operators.

This park is included in the 5 nation Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Area (KAZA), which focuses on opening old animal migration routes in the largest conservation area in Africa.

Hwange is known to host one of Africa's largest populations of elephants, especially in the 1980s. It is widely known for its diversity of species, including over 100 mammal species (of which a number are endangered) and 400 bird species.

There are a variety of camps and lodges in this special park, ranging from affordable to luxurious, catering for all sorts of clientele. This is a must-see destination in Zimbabwe and fits perfectly into a Vic Falls and Botswana safari.

Little Makololo Camp is a small and intimate safari camp offering a private and secluded location in the immense Hwange National Park; one of Zimbabwe's premier wildlife destinations. In addition to normal safari activities, the camp has an excellent waterhole hide.

Somalisa Camp offers elegance and romance in a private location in the midst of the Hwange National Park. This quaint safari camp offers only 6 canvas safari tents overlooking the vast plains promising spectacular views.

The Hide is renowned for its fantastic location in Hwange National Park, its gourmet cuisine and high quality guiding. The emphasis at this unique safari camp is on offering guests a personalised safari experience.

Davison's Camp offers a magnificent location in the private Linkwasha Concession in south-eastern Hwange National Park. The tents are luxurious and situated on the ground with ensuite bathrooms, as well as verandas that overlook the waterhole in front of the camp.

How to Get There

Hwange National Park is located in the far west of Zimbabwe, on the border with Botswana and close to Victoria Falls. To embark on a safari in Hwange, Sun Safaris will arrange for guests to fly to Victoria Falls Airport (Zimbabwe).

Upon arrival, guests will connect with either a chartered flight, which will fly guests to an airstrip in Hwange National Park that is closer to their booked lodge; or they will embark on a road transfer from Vic Falls Airport to their lodge in Hwange; or, if guests will be driving themselves on a Hwange safari, they will pick up their hired car.

During the wet summer months, self-driving is not recommended and a 4WD is required, so Sun Safaris would rather arrange all means of transportation for guests to reach their lodge accommodation.

Hwange National Park Game Viewing and Activities

Hwange National Park is famous for its large concentration of wildlife during the winter months. There are a number of pans throughout the Park offering drinking water where wildlife congregates, making for incredible and consistent game viewing.

During the summer months when plains game migrate onto the lush park to give birth to their young, predators follow suit as they look out for easy meals. Wildlife in the park includes elephant (to a large extent), Cape buffalo, sable, roan, southern giraffe, blue wildebeest, impala and occasionally gemsbok, which are specialised to the dry winters.

Hwange National Park is one of the best in Zimbabwe for predators, as lion, leopard, wild dog and cheetah are regularly seen, along with the smaller African wildcat, serval, honey badger, civet and spotted hyena.

The park is a bird lover's haven with more than 400 species found. Hwange is well-known for its massive herds of elephant and buffalo.