Part of Victoria Falls
Quick answer
Reviewed · 4 min read
Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s largest park, about two hours by road from Victoria Falls, and one of Africa’s great elephant destinations. In the dry season, tens of thousands of elephants rely on its waterholes, many of them pumped. Highly trained guides, lions and painted dogs complete the picture. Plan three or four nights, ideally from July to October.
Researched and maintained by Empyrean Travel · How we research
- Country
- Zimbabwe (north-west, on the Botswana border)
- Best for
- Elephants, expert guiding, walking, Victoria Falls combinations
- Best time
- July–October (dry season); November–April green season
- Getting there
- Victoria Falls (VFA), then about 2 hours by road or a short charter flight
- Ideal stay
- 3–4 nights
- Malaria
- Yes — CDC recommends prevention for all of Zimbabwe
Why go on safari in Hwange?
Hwange covers about 14,600 square kilometers (5,600 square miles) of Kalahari sand, teak and mopane woodland and open grassland. It is Zimbabwe’s largest national park and part of the Kavango Zambezi (KAZA) conservation area, which links parks across five countries.
Its elephant population is among the largest of any park in Africa, and Zimbabwe’s professional guides are known for some of the most rigorous training on the continent. That combination — big game and expert guiding, often on foot — draws seasoned safari-goers. It sits just south-east of Victoria Falls, making it an easy pairing.
When is the best time to visit Hwange?
Hwange has few permanent rivers, so in the dry season, roughly July to October, wildlife converges on waterholes, many kept full by solar or diesel pumps. Elephants, buffalo and sable gather at the pans, and lions and other predators follow. October is hot and dramatic.
When the rains arrive around November, water spreads across natural pans, elephants disperse and the bush turns green; the green season through April brings newborns, migrant birds and better rates. Painted dogs, also called African wild dogs, roam widely, and denning often falls in the middle of the year.
Where should you stay in Hwange?
Each area has a distinct character, so many travelers combine two.
- Main Camp area: near the park headquarters in the north-east, with the easiest road access from Victoria Falls and good viewing on nearby pans.
- South-east concessions: private areas bordering the open Ngamo and Linkwasha plains, with intimate tented camps, private waterholes, hides and guided walks. Linkwasha Camp is a well-known example.
- Sinamatella and the north-west: hilly, remote country with sweeping views and far fewer vehicles, suited to repeat visitors.
How do you get to Hwange, and what does it combine with?
From Victoria Falls Airport, it’s about two hours by road to the Main Camp area and longer to the southern concessions, which are usually reached by light-aircraft charter. Hwange also has its own airport near Main Camp for charter flights.
Hwange combines naturally with two or three nights at Victoria Falls and the riverfront at Chobe in Botswana — or, for seasoned travelers, Mana Pools on the Zambezi. Our best time for safari guide helps you line up the seasons.
How can you support conservation in Hwange?
Pumping water is costly, and many waterholes are maintained by camps and conservation groups. Staying in concession camps and asking about their water and anti-poaching programs helps keep the system running. A painted dog conservation center near the park, close to Main Camp, welcomes visitors.
Walking safaris with licensed professional guides are a Hwange highlight; follow instructions closely, walk in single file and keep quiet near game. See our walking safari guide. Park fees are set by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority; confirm current rates as of 2026.
Hwange highlights
Elephants at the pans
Dry season · July–October
Watch herds arrive at a waterhole in long lines, jostle for the cleanest water and splash in the mud.
Walking with a pro guide
Concessions & park
Zimbabwe’s rigorously trained guides make walking here a masterclass in tracking and bushcraft.
ExplorePainted dogs
Throughout the park
Hwange is a stronghold for these endangered, highly social predators.
Ngamo plains
South-east Hwange
Open grassland with sable, zebra, giraffe and the lions that hunt them.
Waterhole hides
Private concessions
Ground-level hides put you eye to eye with drinking elephants — superb for photography.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hwange worth visiting?
How do you get from Victoria Falls to Hwange?
When is the best time to see elephants in Hwange?
Should you choose Hwange or Chobe for elephants?
Official sources
Rules, fees and schedules change — confirm the latest details at the source before you travel.