Hwange National Park, in Zimbabwe’s northwest, is one of Africa’s most popular national parks. It should be on every safari lover’s list. The Big Five and 100 other species are found roaming Hwange’s savanna and woodlands. This park is home to the largest diversity of mammals among all the national parks in the world. This park, which is Belgium-sized, is home to approximately 50 000 elephants. It is also known for its regular sightings, including leopard, cheetah, and lion. The 500 species of birds recorded in this park will amaze birdwatchers. Hwange Park, in Zimbabwe’s northwest, is one of Africa’s most popular parks. Here are reasons Why You Should Visit Hwange National Park.
Visit Hwange in the dry winter months from July to October for spectacular wildlife sightings. Animals gather around the park’s man-made water holes to drink.
Hwange’s main draw is its accessibility. You can fly to Victoria Falls, then hire a car or take a transfer by road to the park. It’s only an hour drive from the airport. There are plenty of options for accommodation to suit your budget, including campsites and luxury safari lodges. You can also drive most of the park’s roads with a 2×4 vehicle.
Hwange’s uniqueness is due to its absence of crowds. The park is renowned for its diversity, large herds, and easy sightings during the winter months. It never gets crowded. This means that you can enjoy the beauty of the bush in peace and quiet.
Highlights
- Zimbabwe’s oldest and largest national park
- One of the largest elephant herds in Africa
- This is a paradise for birdwatchers, with more than 400 species of birds recorded.
- You can see a variety of wildlife whether you are on foot, horseback or on a game-drive.
- Hwange’s wild dog population is thought to be the largest in Africa.
Five Reasons Why You Should Visit Hwange National Park
Low tourist numbers
Hwange National Park’s biggest draw is its vast wilderness area, which is rich in wildlife but low in tourists. Hwange National Park is relatively empty compared to other popular national parks like Botswana, Tanzania and South Africa. This allows you to enjoy wildlife sightings and camp life without being overwhelmed by tourists.
There are so many elephants
Hwange National Park is famous for its large breeding herds. It is home to approximately 50 000 elephants. Some of the herds include as many as 300 elephants. Hwange is home to very few rhinos, but there are strong numbers of the Big 5 elsewhere.
Diverse wildlife
Hwange is well-known for its rich wildlife and prolific birdlife. The Park is home to over 100 mammal species and 500 bird species. You’ll see amazing sightings around the gathering points and wildlife that have been created since the Park was founded.
Hwange is not known for its “no wildlife” rumor due to rampant poaching. Although poaching and hunting have reduced numbers, conservation groups have continued to work tirelessly over the years to preserve the Park’s wildlife. Hwange’s wild dog breeding program has been a major success, with numbers of these remarkable painted dogs steadily increasing.
High-quality accommodation
Wildlife Safaris has made it possible to improve the accommodation in Hwange National Park in recent years.
Private concessions are home to a variety of safari lodges that are run by private operators. They provide world-class accommodation that rivals the best in Okavango Delta, Serengeti and Greater Kruger.
Is Hwange National Park Safe?
Although Hwange National Park can be visited without any danger, it is recommended to book through and go with a trusted safari operator. This is due to difficulties outside the Park, most notably because of poor road infrastructure and corrupt elements on border posts and roadblocks.
Although there have not been any reported incidents of crime in the Park, tourists may still be affected by criminal activity by poachers.
To avoid long road trips, it is highly recommended to travel by air from Zimbabwe. Fly to Victoria Falls International Airport, then drive to Hwange or take a private charter flight.
Road accidents in Zimbabwe are a problem because of the poor road infrastructure. Police corruption is still a problem. Traffic officials are notorious for taking bribes. You can drive to Hwange National Park with your own vehicle if you wish.
There are several tropical diseases that can affect national parks in Africa, including bilharzia, malaria, and cholera. Get medical advice about the vaccinations required for Zimbabwe and precautions you can take to avoid falling ill with any of these more common tropical diseases.
Petty criminal activity can be found in major cities and towns, including Harare. This includes bag snatching and credit card skimming. You should take the same precautions as you would when traveling in any country developing around the globe. Pay attention to your valuables, such as mobile phones, laptops, and cameras.
Despite the difficult circumstances that many Zimbabweans live in, the people of Zimbabwe are friendly, welcoming, and warm. Tourism is vital for people’s livelihoods. It is important that tourists feel safe and secure. Most Zimbabweans speak English fluently.
Start planning your ideal Zimbabwe safari today!
