Founded around 1928, Hwange National Park is one of Africa's finest havens for wildlife and is famous the world over for its size and its wildlife population of buffalo, zebra, very large concentration of giraffe, all the big cats, hyena, wild dog, rhino and the world’s biggest elephant population. Elephants make up the largest proportion of the biomass in the park and they have been enormously successful in Hwange to the extent that the population has increased far above that naturally supported by such an area. It is also home to many predators and endangered species plus very large and varied birdlife.

The Park hosts 105 mammal species, including 19 large herbivores and eight large carnivores. All Zimbabwe's specially protected animals are to be found in Hwange and it is the only protected area where gemsbok and brown hyena occur in reasonable numbers. The population of African wild dogs to be found in Hwange is thought to be of one of the largest surviving groups in Africa today.

The park boasts superb birdlife. Kalahari birds are found here including red-billed spurfowl, crimson-breasted shrike, Kalahari scrub-robin, cut-throat finch, red-eyed bulbul and southern pied babbler. The plains are alive with pipits, larks and wheatears while raptors including the martial eagle are also plentiful.  In the summer months the bird list is greatly increased by migratory species like southern carmine bee-eaters, black kites and broad-billed rollers.

Hwange National Park occupies 14,650 square kilometres (over 5,650 square miles) of unspoilt African bush and is the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe. The park lies in the west, on the main road between Bulawayo and the world famous Victoria Falls. The park is close to the edge of the Kalahari desert, a region with little water and very sparse, xerophile vegetation.

The park landscape includes desert sand to sparse woodland as well as grasslands and granite outcrops. Due to the lack of water, man-made waterholes were introduced to sustain the animals through the dry season. The park has an interesting variety of landscapes with one part running alongside the North-eastern end of the Kalahari desert. The south is sandy with extensive forests and open grassland. A feature of the area is ancient fossil dunes - ancient sand dunes held together by vegetation.

Walking, driving and horseback safaris are a popular way of seeing the wildlife. Accommodation is provided at a number of world-class game Lodges.

To travel through Hwange National Park today is to see what much of the interior of Africa might have been like more than 150 years ago.
Hwange National Park which is managed by a National Parks Service whose rangers are some of the best in the field. They know the park, its flora and fauna and its inhabitants intimately.

Davison's Camp lies in a remote north-eastern corner of Hwange National Park within the Linkwasha Concession.
Named after the founder of Hwange National Park and its first warden, Ted Davison, the camp is situated in a grove of false mopane trees and has fantastic views across the plains to a very active waterhole.
Accommodation is in nine comfortable en suite tents (including one family tent) with an open fronted living and dining area which also overlooks the waterhole.
Giraffe Springs - situated within the heart of the national park, this unique private camp offers 10 luxury walk-in tents with a distinct Arab feel - with flowing textured fabrics dyed in rich spicy colours. The main dining area and lounge includes a wildlife viewing platform and plunge pool. As there is no fence, game wanders freely through the camp.
Hwange Safari Lodge, a favourite with visitors from all over the world. The Lodge has 100 well-appointed rooms and suites, as well as conference facilities. It caters for a diverse range of individuals and groups from the lone adventurer to couples, families and tour groups. It offers comfort, modern conveniences and the opportunity to experience the real African wild. The Lodge is staffed with people who are not only experts in providing a world-class hotel service in true African Sun tradition, but who also have a love and intimate knowledge of the Lodge’s surroundings.
Ivory Lodge is set on its own 6 000 acre conservancy bordering Hwange National Park and is "big game" country - lion, elephant leopard and buffalo are seen regularly from camp as well as in the park. The lodge is built in the tree tops of giant teak forests – diverse habitats attract a variety of wildlife and bird life.
Linkwasha and Little Linkwasha Tented Camp - Completely rebuilt in 1999 Linkwasha Tented Camp offers one of the highest quality wildlife and wilderness safari experiences in Zimbabwe. Situated within the private Linkwasha concession guests are accommodated in one 7-room tented camp and one 3-room tented camp. Each comfortable walk-in tent has en-suite facilities including shower and flush toilet along with an outside shower. All rooms are raised off the ground on wooden platforms connected by raised walkways.
Little Makalolo Tented Camp is in the heart of Hwange National Park and is situated overlooking a busy waterhole in an area frequented by a wide variety of game, including hundreds of elephant, especially in the dry season.
This classic luxury tented safari camp is offers tastefully appointed walk in-tents with en-suite facilities and both indoor and outdoor showers.
The living areas include a dining room, lounge, plunge pool and an open fire area for those convivial evening fireside tales. There is a log pile hide overlooking the waterhole in front of camp where guests can enjoy wildlife viewing during the siesta hours.
Makololo Plains Safari Camp is situated in a remote and private concession within the vast Hwange National Park, is one of the few camps built within the park.
The camp is built on raised teak decks and boardwalks, providing panoramic unique views over the Somavundla Pan with its excellent concentrations of wildlife. This is an ideal location for game viewing, with sightings of lion, large herds of elephant, buffalo, hyena, giraffe, sable, wildebeest, impala, waterbuck, reed buck and many other species. It is also a prime birdwatching location, with other 400 species of native birds to be seen in the plains.

Accommodation consists of ten large, comfortable tented rooms with en suite facilities as well as an outdoor shower for showers under the stars. The main area has a lounge, bar area, plunge pool and dining area and a fireside boma for outdoor dinners by the fire.
National Parks Camping and Caravan sites - Zimbabwe National Parks also have affordable accommodation options in the park. The park has three permanent camps:



Main Camp: is situated at the main entrance to the Park easily accessible by tarred road from the main Bulawayo–Victoria Falls road.. There are numerous pans and pumped waterholes around Main Camp and the area is rich in game. The camp facilities include self-catering lodges, cottages and chalets, a camping and caravan site, bar and restaurant, grocery store, curio shop and petrol station. There are also facilities for conference.

Sinamatella Camp: Established in 1966, this part of the Park was a former cattle ranch. The camp is located near the northern boundary of the Park on an outcrop, 55 metres high, overlooking a distant riverbed and miles of grassy plain.

The Camp is approximately 120 kilometres from Main Camp. Vehicles are not allowed to travel between the two camps after 1400 hours. Sinamatella is an Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ)

The Camp has lodges, chalets and camping sites. In addition, a restaurant, bar, shop and fuel are available. Apart from these facilities at the rest Camp there are also several exclusive camps in the area which include Bumbusi Camp,  Lukosi Camp and Bush Camps.


Robins Camp: Robins Camp is close to the western boundary of Hwange approximately 60 kilometres from Sinamatella and 140 from the Main Camp. Through traffic from Main Camp is required to leave by 1200 hours. The Camp has lodges, chalets and camping sites. In addition, a restaurant, bar, shop and fuel are available. There are also several exclusive camps in the Robins area which include Nantwich Camp, Isilwane Lodge and Deka Camp.

Sikumi Tree Lodge - The unique Sikumi Tree Lodge overlooks a waterhole from which on golden afternoons zebra and elephant come to drink. At night lions may pad across the grass as jackals wail mournfully at the stars. The lodge complex consists of 13 tree houses set within a forest of Mangwe and Acacia trees.
Somalisa Camp is set in the heart of Hwange National Park. It is an authentic bush camp, a blend of old African charm and elegance together with an exclusive safari experience. At Somalisa Camp, you will experience the heightened romance of the African Bush in one of the most natural environments in Africa.
Its stunning location tucked away on an acacia island along the edge of an ancient seasonal flood plain gives it breathtaking views of the savannah plains of the famous Kennedy Vlei line.
Accommodation is in canvas tents with en suite bathrooms, flush toilet and outside shower.  With only six tents this is a small and intimate camp which promises a very personal experience.
The Hide is situated in a private concession on the eastern boundary of Hwange National Park the accommodation is in East African style canvas tents.
In front of the camp is a fantastic waterhole (floodlit in the evenings) offering wonderful game viewing right from camp.
Taking a maximum of 16 guests, a stay at The Hide is guaranteed to be a personal, comfortable and relaxing experience.
The central feature of the camp is a large thatch 'A' frame dining and entertainment area with magnificent views of the pan. Meals are served in elegance and style around a solid teak 22-seater table.

Game Viewing:
Hwange National Park ranks among the top national parks in Africa in terms of size, diversity and quantity of game. The park offers unrivalled wildlife views from game drives as well as from viewing hides. Walking and game drives will allow you the opportunity to observe elephant, kudu and sable antelope, zebra, wildebeest, the rare and endangered roan antelope, buffalo, giraffe, white rhino, lion, leopard, hyena, and many other wildlife species.

The park offers a host of attractions and activities which include:
•    Mandavu Dam - provides a beautiful viewing hide to watch animals coming to drink.
•    Masuma Dam - excellent hide for game viewing.
•    Detema Dam - exceptional game viewing hide.
•    Ngweshla Pan - the loop road is a pleasant day-drive.
•    Nyamandhlovu Platform - prime game viewing area at a pumped water hole.
•    Dom waterhole - an exceptional view of the African Sunset.
•    Big Toms & Little Toms - these are viewing hides which provide excellent game viewing opportunities and are named for the farms of Harold Robins who bequeathed his land to the Park in 1939.
•    Wilderness trails.
•    Escorted and guided walks.
•    Fishing.
•    Wilderness trails Moonlight game viewing - available around the full-moon period subject to weather conditions.
•    Sunset – amazing sunset views in unique savannah vegetation
•    vegetation Unique grassy Savanna and
Birdwatching:

Hwange National Park, an unspoilt African bush and the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe, is a quiet haven to 420 species of birds like crimson breasted shrike, violeteared wax bill, glossy starling, lilac breasted roller, whitecrowned shrike, ground scraper thrush and bradfield's hornbill.
Picnic & Camping Sites:

Camping is permissible in Hwange National Park at Shumba, Kapula, Mandavu Dam, Masuma, Ngweshla, Jambile, Kennedy 1, Guvalala,and Detema Picnic Sites. Each site consists of an enclosed picnic area (usually with shady trees or thatch cover) and a small ablution block with running water. Groups of up to 10 people may camp overnight at these areas but the sites are also open to all visitors during daytime
In addition, overnight camping is permitted at some of the platforms overlooking waterholes.