Hwange National Park
40,000 elephants and 60 waterholes — dry-season congregations of 1,000 elephants at a single waterhole.
About Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park covers 14,651 square kilometres of Kalahari sandveld in northwestern Zimbabwe, making it the country's largest national park — larger than Northern Ireland. The park has no permanent rivers; instead, over 60 artificially pumped waterholes (a system pioneered by warden Ted Davison in the 1930s) sustain wildlife through the dry season. Hwange's elephant population fluctuates between 40,000-50,000 during the dry season, creating some of the most dramatic elephant congregations in Africa. The park is the former hunting ground of the Ndebele king Mzilikazi.
When to Go
August to October for the most spectacular waterhole action — up to 1,000 elephants at a single waterhole. May to August for comfortable temperatures and good general game viewing. November to April green season offers newborn animals and migratory birds.
What You'll See
40,000-50,000 elephants, over 100 mammal species, 400+ bird species. Strong populations of sable antelope (Zimbabwe's national animal), roan antelope, gemsbok, wild dog (several packs), lion, leopard, cheetah, and spotted hyena. Hwange's painted dog (wild dog) research project is one of the longest-running in Africa.
Your Journey Begins
1.5-hour drive from Victoria Falls (190 km) to the Main Camp entrance. Charter flights to Hwange airstrips from Victoria Falls (30 minutes). Victoria Falls Airport connections to Johannesburg and regional hubs. The park is a natural extension of any Victoria Falls itinerary.
Within Hwange National Park
Main Camp & Ngamo Area
Nyamandhlovu Pan hide — sit at ground level as 1,000 elephants drink within arm's reach.
Main Camp is Hwange's administrative centre and the most accessible area, surrounding by several productive waterholes including Nyamandhlovu Pan — a legendary hide where visitors sit at ground level as elephants, buffalo, and predators drink within metres. The adjacent Ngamo Plains is open grassland favoured by cheetah and wild dog. Main Camp offers self-drive options and Zimbabwe Parks accommodation alongside luxury private concessions.
Sinamatella & Northern Hwange
Escarpment views across the Lukosi Valley — Hwange's remote north with black rhino and teak woodland.
Sinamatella Camp sits on a sandstone escarpment in Hwange's northern sector, offering panoramic views across the Lukosi Valley. The northern sector features more diverse terrain — rocky outcrops, teak woodland, and seasonal pans that attract black rhino (a small, closely monitored population), kudu, and klipspringer. Fewer visitors reach this remote sector, providing a more wild and exclusive experience than the Main Camp area.
Private Concessions & Linkwasha
Exclusive concessions with night drives — Linkwasha's waterholes draw the park's densest game concentrations.
Hwange's private concessions — including The Hide, Somalisa, Linkwasha, and Little Makalolo — occupy exclusive traversing areas within and adjacent to the national park. Linkwasha Concession in the southeastern corner is considered Hwange's premier game-viewing area, with prolific waterholes attracting enormous elephant herds, wild dog packs, and pride of lion. Night drives and walking safaris are permitted in the concessions, unlike the national park proper.
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