When it comes to size, Hwange is not only Zimbabwe’s largest national park. At 14,651-square kilometers (5,656-square miles), it is also one of the 10 largest parks in Africa.
Hwange National Park is home to the Presidential Herd of elephants. An estimated 40,000 strong, it’s one of the largest herds on the continent. It isn’t unusual to see close to a 100 pachyderms at once.
You can stay inside the park or out, but the most luxurious accommodation is located on the private concessions surrounding Hwange. Here you’ll find my favorite property, Ivory Lodge, located next a water hole that’s popular with the park’s elephant population. No fences restrict the animals from roaming between the park and the safari lodges just outside it.
Regardless of where you stay, it will likely have a “hide” and you should definitely check it out. Hides are usually located near watering holes and allow visitors a chance to safely observe animals up close. Hides are especially cool for night viewing. Keeping quiet inside the hide is paramount.
Besides the massive elephant population, Hwange is home to some 106 other species of animals including all the big cats. For bird lovers, there are more than 400 species to watch for here.
To maximize the chances of spotting animals, especially the big cats, hit up Hwange during the July-to-October dry season. During this time animals are thirsty and will travel long distances to drink from the park’s 60-odd watering holes. Many of the holes are kept filled by park officials.
Painted dogs are some of the most special animals to spot in Hwange, especially if you manage to see a pack hunting. These African wild dogs are endangered. Less than 5,000 remain on the continent. Zimbabwe is one of their last strongholds.
If you aren’t lucky enough to spot an endangered painted dog on safari, pay a visit to Zimbabwe’s Painted Dog Conservation. It runs a rehab facility for sick and injured pups with the hope that once healed, these dogs can be returned to their pack in the wild.
If you want to prove your prowess as a safari guide, head out in your own vehicle on a do-it-yourself, self-drive safari through the park. You have to stick to the roads but so does everyone else — no off roading is allowed by individuals or safari companies in Hwange. If you choose to drive yourself but aren’t having much luck spotting animals, head to Nyamandhlovu Pan, where you can climb a high-rise viewing platform to look out over a popular watering hole.
You can stay inside or outside the park. One benefit of staying outside is the lodges are on private estates, and animals roam freely between there, so even if you aren’t inside the park itself you can still go on game drives and see animals, but not have to pay the $20 park entrance fee.
