We're Open8am–6pm SAST
WishlistPartner Portal
Zimbabwe · The Land of the Elephant

Hwange

Elephant Kingdom

Zimbabwe's largest national park, home to 45,000 elephants—one of Africa's greatest populations. Over 100 lions, wild dogs, sable antelope, and dry-season waterhole spectacles that rival anywhere on the continent. Two hours from Victoria Falls.

Best timeJuly – OctoberWildlife100+ mammal speciesThe park14,650 km²Journeys from$1,200 pp
Scroll to Explore
The Beyond Africa Difference

Zimbabwe's greatest wilderness — where pumped waterholes draw one of the largest elephant populations on earth across a mosaic of Kalahari sand, golden grassland and ancient teak.

Hwange is Zimbabwe's flagship park and one of the greatest elephant sanctuaries in Africa. Covering 14,650 km² of Kalahari sandveld, mopane woodland and teak forest, the park is home to an estimated 45,000 elephants—a staggering concentration that peaks during the dry season (July to October) when herds gather at waterholes by the hundred. More than 100 lions roam Hwange, often in large prides, and the park is a wild dog stronghold with regular sightings. Sable antelope—one of Africa's most beautiful antelopes—are common here, along with roan, greater kudu, giraffe, and buffalo. During the dry months, the park's 60+ waterholes (most pumped by solar panels) become magnets for wildlife, offering unparalleled game viewing. Private lodges cluster around key waterholes, with underground hides providing eye-level photography opportunities as elephants drink just metres away. Walking safaris with San Bushmen trackers, night drives for leopard and hyena, and visits to the Painted Dog Conservation Centre add depth to the experience. Hwange is just two hours from Victoria Falls, making it the perfect safari-and-waterfall combination. With vast wilderness, exceptional game densities, and affordable luxury compared to Botswana, Hwange is one of Africa's best-kept safari secrets.

One of Earth's Great Elephant HerdsWalking Safaris with Legendary TrackersPainted Dogs & Big CatsTwo Hours from Victoria Falls
Destination overview

Why Visit Hwange

Zimbabwe's largest national park, and one of the last great elephant kingdoms in Africa. From the vast dry-season herds that gather at the pumped pans to the painted-dog packs, big cats and walking safaris led by some of the finest guides on the continent — Hwange rewards every moment. Here is what makes it unforgettable.

  • 45,000+ elephants — one of Africa's largest populations, with dry-season herds of 100+ at waterholes
  • Over 100 lions in large prides, wild dog stronghold, leopard, and spotted hyena
  • Underground waterhole hides at luxury lodges — eye-level elephant photography paradise
  • Sable antelope, roan, greater kudu & giraffe — exceptional antelope diversity
  • Walking safaris with San Bushmen trackers — learn bushcraft and traditional tracking
  • Just 2 hours from Victoria Falls — the perfect safari-and-waterfall combination
The wildlife

Wildlife You'll Encounter

African Elephant

Lion

African Wild Dog

Leopard

African Buffalo

Sable Antelope

Giraffe

Greater Kudu

Spotted Hyena

Roan Antelope

The Signature Collection

The Experiences That Define Hwange

Where the Hwange story unfolds. Watch the herds file in to Nyamandhlovu Pan, walk the bush at dawn with a legendary tracker, keep a hushed vigil at a floodlit waterhole hide, and follow the night drive as the park's nocturnal hunters emerge — each one built into your itinerary by your private concierge.

3 hours

Nyamandhlovu Pan Game Drive

Morning or evening game drive to Nyamandhlovu Pan—one of Hwange's most productive waterholes. Elephant herds (sometimes 100+), lion, leopard, wild dog, buffalo, sable antelope. Dry season peak spectacle.

  • Game drive
  • Professional guide
  • Park fees
Enquire with a Concierge
Half-day

Walking Safari with Bushmen Guides

Guided walking safari with San Bushmen trackers. Learn tracking, bushcraft, and traditional plant uses. Get close to smaller wildlife and experience Hwange on foot. Intimate and educational.

  • Armed guide
  • Bushmen tracker
  • Walking permit
Enquire with a Concierge
2–3 hours

Hide Waterhole Viewing

Sit in underground hides at private lodge waterholes. Eye-level viewing of elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, kudu, and predators. Photography paradise, especially dry season (July–Oct).

  • Hide access
  • Refreshments
  • Photography blinds
Enquire with a Concierge
2 hours

Night Game Drive

After-dark game drive to find nocturnal wildlife: lion, leopard, spotted hyena, aardwolf, honey badger, civet, and porcupine. Hwange's predators are highly active at night.

  • Night drive
  • Ranger
  • Spotlight
Enquire with a Concierge
More Zimbabwe Journeys

Extend Your Zimbabwe Journey

The elephants of Hwange are the reason you come — but Zimbabwe rewards those who linger. Add the thundering power of Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, just two hours to the north, and shape a longer journey through the land where the Zambezi meets the wild — each of these curated journeys leads to a real itinerary our concierge will tailor to you.

Instant-Book Adventure Experiences

Explore Our Complete Adventure Catalog

Looking for more Southern African safari and adventure experiences? Visit Gray Line South Africa — our sister company — for a full catalog of instant-book tours across the region, with live availability and instant confirmation.

Browse Gray Line South Africa
Zimbabwe's Wild Heart · Kingdom of the Elephant

Kingdom of the Elephant

Hwange is elephant country on a scale found almost nowhere else — tens of thousands of them roaming a wilderness the size of a small nation, the famed Presidential herd among them. In the dry season they gather in their hundreds at the pumped pans, the ground trembling as bulls, matriarchs and calves crowd the water at dusk. Watch from a floodlit hide as they drink shoulder to shoulder with buffalo and sable; walk the golden grasslands at dawn with a tracker reading the bush like a book; follow a painted-dog pack on the hunt, or wait out the night as lions call across the sand. This is one of Africa's last great elephant kingdoms — vast, wild and unforgettable.

Presidential ElephantsFloodlit Waterhole HidesWalking SafarisPainted DogsSable & Roan AntelopeKalahari Teak Woodland
Plan a Hwange Journey
The perfect Southern African journey

Pair Hwange with a Journey

Hwange's elephants pair beautifully with the great sights of the region. Follow the herds across the pans, then drive two hours north to the thunder of Victoria Falls, or cross into Botswana to Chobe's river frontier — two elephant capitals in one seamless itinerary we'll weave together for you.

Hwange National Park vs Other Parks

Why Choose Hwange National Park

Hwange National Park stands apart — here's how it compares to other parks.

FeatureHwange National ParkOther Parks
Signature experience45,000+ elephantsLimited
Wildlife100+ mammal speciesFewer
Birdlife400+ speciesFewer
Standout appealOver 100 lions in large pridesLess distinctive
OverallElephant KingdomMore generic
Plan your timing

When to Visit Hwange

Peak Dry Season

Jul – Oct
★★★★★

The great spectacle — tens of thousands of elephants and huge herds of buffalo, zebra and antelope crowd the pumped waterholes. Sparse bush and concentrated game make this the finest time to visit.

15–32°C, dry & sunny

Early Dry Season

May – Jun
★★★★

Cool, comfortable mornings and thinning bush as the land dries. Wildlife begins to gather at permanent water, and the park is quieter than peak season.

8–27°C, dry, cold nights

Green Season

Nov – Mar
★★★☆☆

Summer rains bring lush grasslands, newborn animals and superb birding with migrants in full colour. Game is more dispersed but photography is dramatic and lodge rates are lowest.

18–35°C, hot with afternoon storms

Autumn Shoulder

Apr
★★★☆☆

The bush starts to dry and thin after the rains, and wildlife drifts back towards the waterholes. A fine value shoulder month with green landscapes still lingering.

12–30°C, drying out

Month-by-Month Guide

Good to know

Useful Hwange Travel Tips

The practical details that make a safari effortless — gathered from years of crafting private Zimbabwe itineraries for our guests.

Book the dry season early

July–October is peak demand with limited lodge beds around the pumped waterholes — reserve well in advance to secure the best camps.

Use the waterhole hides

Hwange's underground and elevated waterhole hides put you at eye level with elephants and buffalo — a must-do for serious photographers.

Pair with Victoria Falls

The Falls are roughly two hours away, so combining Hwange with Victoria Falls makes for the ultimate Zimbabwe itinerary.

Seek the wild dogs

Hwange holds one of Africa's most important wild dog populations — the Linkwasha and Robins areas offer the best chances of a sighting.

Walk with the trackers

Guided walking safaris with expert Bushmen trackers add cultural depth and a thrilling on-foot dimension to your wildlife experience.

Choose a guided safari

Self-driving is possible, but a professional guide delivers far better sightings and a deeper understanding of the ecosystem.

Location & Access

Getting to Hwange

19.0000° S, 26.5000° E
Where to stay

Our Hand-Picked Hwange Lodges

From the waterhole-view suites of the park's finest camps to intimate walking-safari lodges deep in the wilderness, the most coveted addresses in Hwange, each held for you by our concierge.

★★★★★

Somalisa Camp

FromR 8,784per person, per night

★★★★★

The Hide

FromR 7,686per person, per night

★★★★

Linkwasha Camp

FromR 7,137per person, per night

★★★

Hwange Safari Lodge

FromR 2,562per person, per night

★★★

Sable Sands

FromR 1,281per person, per night

★★

Miombo Safari Camp

FromR 915per person, per night

Worth the premium

Why It Justifies the Price

Zimbabwe's largest national park, home to 45,000 elephants—one of Africa's greatest populations. Over 100 lions, wild dogs, sable antelope, and dry-season waterhole spectacles that rival anywhere on the continent. Two hours from Victoria Falls.

45,000+ elephants

one of Africa's largest populations, with dry-season herds of 100+ at waterholes

Over 100 lions in large

Over 100 lions in large prides, wild dog stronghold, leopard, and spotted hyena

Underground waterhole hides at luxury lodges

eye-level elephant photography paradise

Sable antelope, roan, greater kudu & giraffe

exceptional antelope diversity

Walking safaris with San Bushmen trackers

learn bushcraft and traditional tracking

Every journey is privately guided, fully bonded and backed by our 4.9/5 rating from more than 200,000 guests since 2008 — with a dedicated concierge from first enquiry to final farewell.

Good to know

Hwange, Answered

What makes Hwange National Park special?

Zimbabwe's largest park (14,650 km²) and home to one of Africa's largest elephant populations (~45,000). Over 100 lions, wild dog stronghold, sable antelope, and exceptional dry-season waterhole viewing. Victoria Falls is 2 hours away.

When should I visit?

July to October (dry season). Wildlife concentrates at waterholes—massive elephant herds, lion, wild dog, buffalo. June is shoulder season. November to March is green season (lush but game more dispersed).

How many elephants are there?

45,000+ elephants—one of the largest populations in Africa. Dry season gatherings at waterholes can reach 100+ elephants at once. It's the park's signature spectacle.

Can I see wild dogs?

Yes! Hwange is a wild dog stronghold. Sightings are common, especially in the Linkwasha and Robins areas. The Painted Dog Conservation Centre is also nearby.

Is Hwange a Big Five park?

Almost. Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo — yes. Rhinos (both black and white) were reintroduced in small numbers in some concessions but are rarely seen. Focus is elephant, lion, and wild dog.

Can I combine Hwange with Victoria Falls?

Absolutely. Victoria Falls is 2 hours away by road. Most visitors do 3–4 nights in Hwange then 2–3 nights at the Falls. Perfect combination.

What's the waterhole viewing like?

Exceptional. Many lodges have underground hides at waterholes offering eye-level viewing. Dry season (July–Oct) brings 100+ elephants, buffalo herds, giraffe, zebra, and predators. Photography paradise.

Where should I stay?

Somalisa Camp (luxury, remote), The Hide (luxury, Nyamandhlovu Pan, underground hide), Linkwasha Camp (classic bush camp), or Hwange Safari Lodge (mid-range, budget-friendly).

How do I get there?

Fly to Victoria Falls (international airport), then 2-hour drive or charter flight to Hwange. Or overland from Bulawayo (3 hours). Self-drive is possible (4x4 recommended).

What should I pack?

Lightweight safari clothing (neutral colours), sun hat, binoculars, camera with zoom, sunscreen, insect repellent (minimal malaria risk in dry season), warm layers for cool mornings/evenings.

Your journey, your way

Ready to start planning your Hwange journey?

Tell us how you love to travel and we'll shape a private safari around you — every flight, every transfer, every game drive and every evening at a bush camp taken care of. One dedicated concierge, start to finish.

  • 18+ Years of Excellence
  • 4.9/5 Guest Rated
  • 200,000+ Guests Since 2008
Chat