Hwange National Park

Zimbabwe’s best elephant safari destination

Welcome to the Land of the Giants

Hwange National Park has a scale and presence that’s difficult to match. As Zimbabwe’s largest national park, it covers nearly 5,800 square miles (15,000 square kilometers) of varied terrain – but it’s not just the size that stands out. It’s also the peacefulness and the sheer concentration of wildlife. Once a hunting ground, Hwange was established as a national park in 1928 and has become one of Southern Africa’s key conservation areas. Its vast, varied landscapes – from open savannah and Kalahari sandveld to dense teak forests – support over 100 mammal species and nearly 400 bird species.

Lion prides, buffalo herds, and elusive wild dogs roam freely through Hwange – but it’s the elephants that leave the most lasting impression. Tens of thousands move through the park’s expansive landscapes, making Hwange home to one of Africa’s largest elephant populations. You’ll see them up close at waterholes and from camp, their presence felt as much as seen – in the worn paths winding through the trees and in the quiet authority they bring to the land. This is Elephant Country, and there’s nothing quite like it.

You’ll discover the true magic of Hwange National Park when you slow down. Linger by a waterhole or rest beneath a shady tree and watch wildlife wander by. Walking safaris with expert guides enrich the experience by uncovering the subtle signs and untold stories of the bush. Here, it’s all about being fully present – immersed in each moment as it unfolds.

In Hwange National Park, the safari experience goes beyond wildlife sightings. It’s about presence, perspective, and discovering a quiet kind of wonder that stays with you long after you’ve left.

PLAN YOUR SAFARI

Find out the best times to visit Hwange National Park

  • Emerald season
  • Diamond season
  • Amber season

January is the summertime, with warm daytime temperatures around 30°C. The afternoon summer rains bring a freshness to the season and landscapes, replenishing the plants, and waterholes.

Plan your Safari

In February, the summertime climate of high temperatures (around 30°C during the day) and late afternoon thunderstorms, continue. At night, witness the skies light up with breathtaking lightning storms, while the summer rain showers generally settle into a pattern: typically expected around late afternoon.

Plan your Safari

March is the tail-end of the summer season.

Plan your Safari

In April there are still warm days to enjoy as temperatures continue to hover around 29°C. The nights bring cooler weather, as the mercury drops to the mid-to-late teens.

Plan your Safari

Daytime and evening temperatures have cooled slightly, with averages around 27°C and 10°C respectively. Most notable is the transition from the rainy summer season to the dry winter season. May marks the start of the winter season and sees far less rain than the previous months.

Plan you Safari

Wildlife numbers are at their highest during the dry season – June to September – as they congregate around the water sources in the park.

Plan your Safari

Wildlife numbers are at their highest during the dry season – June to September – as they congregate around the water sources in the park.

Plan your Safari

Wildlife numbers are at their highest during the dry season – June to September – as they congregate around the water sources in the park.

Plan your Safari

The temperature begins to warm up again, with sunny days and clear skies.

Plan your Safari

October sees temperatures reach their peak during the day, around 32°C.

Plan your Safari

November usually brings the start of the rainy season; you can expect some afternoon rain showers. Summer temperatures in Hwange National Park reach average highs of 33°C and lows of 20°C, making for a great summer getaway.

Plan your Safari

December is usually the rainiest month of the year, seeing around 11 days of afternoon rains, which helps to reinvigorate the fauna and flora after months of dry weather.

Plan you Safari

Our Experiences in Hwange National Park

Wildlife

Teeming with wildlife, Hwange is home to the worlds largest population of elephant, along with buffalo, sable, roan antelope, giraffe, wildebeest, impala, gemsbok, hyena, wild dog and over 400 bird species including the racket-tailed roller, carmine bee-eater, and southern ground hornbill to name a few.

wildlife wildlife wildlife wildlife wildlife wildlife wildlife wildlife wildlife

PLAN YOUR SAFARI

Start Planning Your Safari

CLOSE