Named after a local Nhanzwa chief, Hwange National Park is the largest Park in Zimbabwe occupying roughly 14 650 square kilometers. It is located in the northwest corner of the country about one hour south of the Mighty Victoria Falls.
It became the royal hunting grounds to the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi in the early 19 th Century and was set aside as a National Park in 1929. Hwange boasts a tremendous selection of wildlife with over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 bird species recorded. The elephants of Hwange are world famous and the Park’s elephant population is one of the largest in the world. The Park has three distinctive Camps and administrative offices at Robins, Sinamatella and the largest one at Main Camp.

For true nature lovers and for those who want to spend a few days deep in the wilderness, Hwange National Park is the place to go. A tented camp under the African stars and walking with Rangers in the wilderness in search of wild animals, birds, tracks and interesting trees provides an intense experience of nature and its wonders. There are no rivers that carry water all year round, thus in the dry season from about May to November the animals depend on the water points at which water is artificially pumped for them.

While the park abounds in elephant population (one of the largest in the world), it also hosts 100 mammal species, including nineteen large herbivores and eight large carnivores and 400 bird species; Zimbabwe’s specially protected animals are all found here. Gemsbok, brown hyena and the population of African wild or painted dogs is stated to be of one of the largest surviving groups in Africa now.

Park size: 14,651 km²

Proclamation: 1961

GETTING THERE
wange National Park is very accessible. Main Camp can be reached on a tar road, 200km/124mi south of Victoria Falls. The drive takes less than three hours. To reach some of the other camps deeper in the park, a 4WD might be necessary, especially during the wet months, from May to October. Some of the lodges have airstrips for chartered flights.

You will probably arrive in Zimbabwe by way of Victoria Falls Airport (VFA), near the town of Victoria Falls. Usually, you will be picked up from the airport or hotel by your tour operator, who will organize onwards travel throughout the country as part of your tour package.