Hwange National Park travel guide 2026

This post gives travel information about Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, Africa. It includes sections about the location of the park, how to visit, rules for visitors, activities, best time to visit, maps, health, a brief history of the Park, and a list of accommodation/safari providers.

Hwange (pronounced ‘Wan-gé’) is the largest National Park in Zimbabwe, and the third largest in Africa. It is home to one of the largest elephant populations on earth, as nearly 100 other mammal species including leopards, cheetahs, and wild dogs (also called African hunting dogs or painted wolves). With over 400 bird species, and a strong population of raptors, it is designated an Important Bird Area. As such, it is a world-class safari area and is an excellent add-on to visiting Victoria Falls, or just to experience an authentic African safari.

Most of the Park is unfenced, and animals move across transfrontier areas. ZimParks (also called ZPWMA) is the government agency responsible for managing the Park.

It has an area of 14,651km², approximately the same size as Northern Ireland, and a little bigger than Death Valley in California, USA.

With landscapes ranging from the Kalahari Desert at the southern edge, to granite hills, and forests containing mopane and teak in the north, it offers a varied scenery and habitats for wildlife.

The large numbers of wildlife in Hwange survives only due to underground water being pumped into 60 water holes throughout the park (also called ‘pans’): an African conservation success story.

Fun fact: The “Presidential Herd” of elephants is found in Hwange National Park. It is estimated to be one of the biggest elephant herds in Africa, with 40,000 individuals. It’s not unusual to see up to 100 elephants at once during the dry season.

You can find the Big Five in Hwange (elephant, lion, leopard, Cape buffalo and rhino). However, the rhino were reintroduced to the park in 2022 and are in a specially protected area (Imvelo Ngamo Wildlife Sanctuary) in partnership with Imvelo Lodges. Booking is required here.

Location of Hwange National Park

Hwange NP is located in the northwest corner of Zimbabwe approximately 283 km from Bulawayo and 172 km from Victoria Falls.

Top tip: The National Park should not be mistaken for Hwange Town, which is a mining location nearby.

Hwange National Park is in the province of Matabeleland, and the predominant language is Ndebele. English is widely spoken, and in tourist accommodation, people are fluent in English. Many other langagues such as Shona, ChiNambya and Dombe are also spoken.

There’s an article dedicated to various maps of Hwange, including free printable A4 maps, at this link.

The Park is split into three management units – Main Camp (10,765 km2), Sinamatella (1,328 km2) and Robins (2,679 km2). Each area has its own ZimParks HQ. A station is being developed at Makona in the south and this may eventually end up as a fourth management unit (source).

Transport to Hwange National Park

Options to get to Hwange:

• Self drive to Main Camp: Approx. 283 km from Bulawayo, or 172 km from Victoria Falls on the A8 road. From the turnoff, it’s 23km along a tarred road to Main Camp reception.
  • Read my article about the road from Bulawayo to Hwange.
• Road transfer from Victoria Falls, Bulawayo, or Harare: ask your accommodation or tour operator for their shuttle options.
• Air: The air strips in Hwange National Park are for chartered flights only, mainly servicing the private camps, which means that fly-in-safaris are more expensive than self-drive ones. Ask your accommodation or tour operator for flight information.
• Rail: this service from Victoria Falls or Bulawayo is not recommended at present, due to unreliable schedules. However, you could get a transfer to Dete and then take the Elephant Express rail transfer to Ngamo, if staying at Bomani or Camelthorn Lodges (high season only).
• For the intrepid, there’s the Extracity bus or Lin’s Luxury Coaches.

Visitors can self-drive around Hwange National Park during daylight hours, or they can go on guided safaris with private safari lodges. Zimbabwe is renowned for having some of the most rigourously trained guides in Africa, so this is a great place to go on a guided safari.

The roads in the park are a mixture of tarred roads and gravel tracks. In my opinion, the more natural feel of the roads are a huge drawcard of Hwange, making for a more authentic safari experience than, say, Kruger National Park.

Most self-drive visitors will need to make their way to the main gate of Hwange National Park, which is called Main Camp. ZimParks (also called ZPWMA) is the government agency responsible for managing the Park. There is a visitor reception at Main Camp, and self-drive guests are required to pay the entry fees at Main Camp. For visitors staying with private safari lodges, entry fees are usually handled by the lodge.

Activities

• Game drives are the main activity here: this is safari country. Game drives offer the chance to see the wildlife in their natural habitats. The best times to see animals are at dawn and at dusk, so these are the key times for a game drive.
  • Visitors can self-drive around Hwange National Park during daylight hours, or they can go on guided safaris with private safari lodges.
• Don’t miss the Painted Dog Conservation Centre: This rehabilitation centre treats sick and injured painted dogs (also called African hunting dogs or painted wolves) with the hope that they will be able to return to the wild once they are fully healed. It is open to visitors daily.

Best time to visit Hwange National Park

• The best time for wildlife viewing is August to November, during the country’s dry season. Animals move to the water holes in order to drink, so it’s easier to spot them. Daytime temperatures are around 26°C/79°F, and the humidity is low, around 50%, so even in the heat of the day it does not feel oppressive. It is cool at night with average temperatures of around 7°C/40°F.
• Note: October can be too hot for some visitors. Daytime temperatures can reach over 40°C/104°F.
• May to July are also good, because rainfall is usually low. Daytime temperatures are around 26°C/79°F, and the humidity is low, around 50%, so even in the heat of the day it does not feel oppressive. It is colder at night during these months, with average temperatures of around 7°C/40°F.
• Top tip: April to October are the best months to avoid malaria in Hwange. The risk of getting this disease is very low during this time.
• December to February are usually rainy, so it is more difficult to spot wildlife. Daytime temperatures average 29°C/84°F, while night and early mornings average 18°C/64°F.
• March and April are lovely ‘shoulder’ months, with mild temperatures and little rainfall.
• See the Weather in Zimbabwe page for more about Zimbabwe’s seasons.

Rules for visitors to Hwange National Park

• For your safety, stay on the road and in your vehicle at all times.
• Please do not feed animals or birds.
• Camp at designated sites only.
• Do not use scooters or motorbikes in the Park.
• The carriage of weapons, explosives or poisons is prohibited.
• Please do not disturb animals by making unnecessary noise.
• Removal of any plant or animal samples is prohibited.
• Do not pollute water sources.
• Bringing pets in the Park is prohibited.
• Please do not damage or remove State property.
• Do not place advertising material within the Park.
• Flying aircraft at less than 150m above the ground is not permitted.
• For your convenience you are advised to claim your booked accommodation by 5:30pm on the day of arrival as it may after that time, be reallocated.

Brief history of conservation in Hwange National Park

• In the early 19th Century this wilderness in the far north-west of Zimbabwe was set aside as a royal hunting reserve by the warrior king, Mzilikazi, a renegade Zulu and former lieutenant of Shaka, who founded the Matabele nation.
• In 1929 the area was first proclaimed a national park, then it was enlarged in 1939 and then again in 1966.
• In September 1928, Ted Davison a 22-year-old official employed at the time for Tsetse Fly control was offered the appointment as First Warden. He accepted readily. In the 33 years he was in charge of the reserve, he developed it to its full grandeur as a great national park. Wankie Game Reserve, as it was first called, was proclaimed as a national park on 27 January 1950. From that time on it was developed as a major conservation and tourist asset.

• In 2011, Hwange became part of the Kavango Zambezi Trans-frontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) in southern Africa. It is still a National Park in its own right, however.
  • The KAZA TF Conservation Area straddles the countries of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This important conservation project is the world’s largest terrestrial conservation area. Its diverse landscape is home to the largest trans-boundary elephant population in the world, and provides critical habitat for other endangered wildlife and birds.
  • KAZA TFCA combines 36 formally proclaimed protected areas, including game reserves, forest reserves, game management areas, communal lands and conservation and tourism concession areas.
• By 2014, nearly 60 artificial water sources had been established within the park to support wildlife during the dry season. These water holes are responsible for the spectacular dry-season game viewing that has drawn tourists to the area for the past six decades. Even though they are not natural features, they are recognized as one of the park’s exceptional resources. However, because these water sources require artificial upkeep, they remain vulnerable to political and economic pressures.
• The area is also part of the Hwange-Sanyati Biological Corridor (HSBC) conservation project.
• By 1949 there were 2,771 visitors and this had grown to over 25,000 by 1965. Tourism peaked in 1997 with probably as many as 140,000 entries. At that time, apart from Makololo and Linkwasha, there were no private sector camps inside the national park. Most visitors were accommodated outside the park in a plethora of camps on different land categories – safari areas, forestry estate and private land. Many of them used these areas for their activities along with visits to the park. Since 2010 tourist entries have been increasing at about 20% per annum, after reaching a very low point in 2008. There are nine tourism concessions inside the park, one of them being a leased ZPWMA facility. All others are owner built and occupied. Most of the park, especially in the south is not
  used by tourists with all activities occurring in the north and east. Main Camp is the hub of the tourism industry receiving around 80% of visitors, followed by Sinamatella with around 15% and Robins with around 5% (source).
• In some designated areas outside the border of the National Park, safari hunting is a controversial income-generating activity. Within the Park, wildlife is protected. However, on the borders, baiting carnivore species for safari hunting is an on-going practice. Most lions and leopards are shot on the park boundary, and 32% of lions shot on the eastern boundary have been shot on one small enclave (25km2), indicating that these animals have been attracted to the properties by the use of bait. Cecil the Lion was one of the most well-known lions of Hwange that was killed by a private safari hunter.

Maps of Hwange National Park

There’s an article showing various maps of Hwange, including free printable A4 maps, at this link.

Health tips for Hwange National Park

• Malaria
  • Top tip: April to October are the best months to avoid malaria in Hwange. The risk of getting this disease is very low during these months, because mosquitos do not breed in the dry season.
  • During September to May, visitors should take malaria prophylaxis and wear mosquito repellent.
• Please read my article Health information for visitors to Zimbabwe for more guidance on medical considerations. Always travel with Medical Aid.
• If self-driving, do not drive close to elephants, or drive off the marked tracks.

Accommodation and safari lodges in Hwange National Park

I have split this into ZimParks (also called ZPWMA) accommodation and private accommodation.

Note that all visitors need to pay ZimParks entry fees when entering the park. This can be paid at Main Camp reception or with your private accommodation.

1. ZimParks accommodation in Hwange

ZimParks offers self-catering accommodation and self-drive camp sites.

• Picnic Sites for camping (max 6 people): Shumba, Ngweshla, Masuma, Deteema, Kennedy 1, Mandavu, Jambile.
• Platforms for camping (max 6 people): Guvalala & Makwa platforms.
• Self-catering chalets/cottages: 9 at Main Camp consisting of 1 or 2 bedrooms. 2 at Sinamatella consisting of 1 and 2 bedrooms.
• Camping/caravaning also available at Main Camp and Sinamatella.

2. Private accommodation in Hwange

The type of accommodation ranges from self-drive camping to, mid-range, and all-inclusive luxury safari lodges.

Some of these are located in private concessions within Hwange National Park, whilst some are just outside the National Park but are frequented by wildlife. Sometimes accommodations describe themselves as a ‘Camp’ but these can be luxury permanent tents, not necessarily the rough-n-ready campsite that comes to mind! Hunting safari accommodation is not listed here.

• Bomani Tented Lodge
• Hideaways Bumbusi Wilderness Camp
• Camelthorn Lodge
• Camp Hwange
• Daka Plains Camp
• Davison’s Camp
• Deteema Springs Camp
• Elephant’s Eye
• Ganda Lodge (just outside NP border)
• Gwango (just outside NP border)
• The Hide
• Hwange Safari Lodge (just outside NP border)
• Ivory Lodge (just outside NP border)
• Jozibanini Camp (Josibanini)
• Kapula Camp
• Kashawe
• Khulu Bush Camp
• Linkwasha Camp
• Little Makalolo, Makalolo
• Miombo Safari Lodge (just outside NP border)
• Nantwich Lodge
• Nehimba Lodge
• Robins Camp
• Sable Sands (just outside NP border)
• Sikumi Tree Lodge (just outside NP border)
• Somalisa Camp, Somalisa Acacia, Somalisa Expeditions
• Verney’s Camp

Many of the private lodges actively contribute towards conservation of the wildlife, as well as healthcare and education for the people living around the Park. When looking into accommodation options, take a look at the community initiatives run by the lodge.

Read my article 5 things I loved about our lodge in Hwange (and 5 things I didn’t).

Culture and archaeology in Hwange National Park

Hwange National Park has a rich repository of archaeological data, with at least 100 identified sites spanning the Stone Age, Iron Age, and historical eras. Regrettably, sparse documentation means that numerous locations have likely been lost already.

The park features two primary stone-walling sites, located at Mtoa and Bumbusi (Bumboosi). Because some of these areas also function as ceremonial spaces, they hold substantial cultural worth for local populations. To properly identify and formalize these locations, additional collaborative work must be conducted alongside the communities.

If you would like to donate to the preservation of this unique National Park, please visit the Friends of Hwange donation page.

What to pack for Zimbabwe

I’ve dedicated a whole article to items you might need in Zimbabwe and southern Africa – see What to pack for a Zimbabwe holiday.

As Hwange is a safari area, avoid taking clothes that you don’t want to get dusty. Designer white clothing is not advised! Stick to neutral-coloured clothing (no bright colours or black), and don’t forget a wide-brimmed hat.

A fleece jacket is great for the unexpectedly cold mornings.

You can also buy the Ultimate Trip Planning Kit where you can download the packing checklist along with a whole bunch of customisable planning templates.

Interesting facts about Hwange National Park

• The park features shallow pans and natural sodium- and lime-flavored salt licks that draw wildlife from the neighboring Kalahari wilderness. Considered one of the natural wonders of Southern Africa, most of these pans span 20 to 30 meters in diameter and collect up to a meter of water following the rains.
  • Intriguingly, these depressions are forged entirely by termites and larger wildlife. Termites bring essential minerals like lime to the surface while constructing their mounds. These rich mineral deposits attract wild animals—particularly elephants—who crave the salt. As animals eat away at the mounds to access the nutrients, they create hollows in the earth that trap rainwater. These craters continually expand over time as animals drink the water, consume the mineral-rich soil, and carry the mud away on their hides.
• It is the only protected area in Zimbabwe where gemsbok and brown hyena occur in small numbers.
• The Hwange Game Census is organised and run by Wildlife and Environment Zimbabwe (WEZ). It is the longest continuously running game census in Southern Africa.

Books to read

• The Elephants and Me: Pursuing a Dream in Troubled Zimbabwe by Sharon Pincott
  • A true story filled with both joy and foreboding, this portrait of Zimbabwe and its wildlife comes from an Australian woman who went as a tourist to Africa and then decided to leave her old life and live permanently in tumultuous Zimbabwe to work with elephants on land bordering Hwange National Park.
• Elephant Dawn: The Inspirational Story of Thirteen Years Living With Elephants in the African Wilderness by Sharon Pincott
  • In 2001, Sharon Pincott traded her privileged life as a high-flying corporate executive to start a new one with the Presidential Elephants of Zimbabwe. She was unpaid, untrained, self-funded and arrived with the starry-eyed idealism of most foreigners during early encounters with Africa. For thirteen years – the worst in Zimbabwe’s volatile history – this intrepid Australian woman lived in the Hwange bush fighting for the lives of these elephants, forming an extraordinary and life-changing bond with them.
• Bradt Zimbabwe Travel Guide 2025: With a Foreword by Sir Ranulph Fiennes by Paul Murray
• Remembering African Wild Dogs: 6 (Remembering Wildlife) by Margot Raggett
• Letters From Wankie by Patricia Friedberg
  • Wankie” is a unique true story based on the collection of some 500 air letters the author, British-born Patricia Friedberg, wrote home to England in the mid-1950s, during the first two years of her marriage to her South African physician husband. Together the newlyweds moved to the remote mining town of Wankie (now Hwange) in the far northwest corner of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) where he was employed as a colliery doctor. More than 50 years later, after her mother passed away, Patricia found among her mother’s papers the bundle of air letters neatly tied and safely stored.

The above links are affiliate links.

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