Hwange National Park

Facts
Situated between Bulawayo and the great Victoria Falls, the Hwange National Park is the largest in Zimbabwe. It offers its visitors a diverse and vast array of vegetation, ranging from the semi desert shrub on the edge of the Kalahari Desert and the forests in the south, to the granite hills and Mopane woodlands in the north. This diverse collection of vegetation allows for an abundance of mammal and bird species to exist side by side.

With over a 100 species of mammals including lion, leopard, rhinoceros, buffalo and buck as well over 400 bird species, this highly accessible Park is an essential stop. The Hwange National Park boasts uncrowded paths and viewing spots along with ruins and rock paintings on display in the Bumbusi National Monument. The latter showcase the history of this land as it was originally intended.

When to visit
The best time to visit the Hwange National Park is from August to early November. The animals congregate around the few pumped waterholes situated within the Park, as water is scarce everywhere else. Therefore patience and waiting are key, but greatly rewarded in the end. The days are hot whilst the evenings are warm, with the rainy season yet to hit, making it a pleasant time to take in all its splendour. The birdlife during the summer months is dazzling, as the vegetation bursts into life creating a picturesque setting for its viewers. The winter months provide tourists with warm days and clear blue skies, whereas the nights are freezing and warm clothes need to be packed.

Highlights
The region is known for its large population of elephants – around 30.000 call the Park home. These noble creatures can be viewed from various spots within the Park. The most popular is the Nyamandhlovu Pan, situated 10 kilometres from the Hwange Main Camp. Most camps in Hwange offer both day and night game drives to its guests. If a ‘face-to-face’ experience is what you are after, explore Hwange on foot on a bush walk.

Additional Info
Friends of Hwange Trust – Conservation in Hwange
Painted Dog Conservation – African Wild Dog Conservation Hwange
Conservation & Wildlife Fund (CWF) – Wildlife Conservation in Hwange