Wild For Hwange: Africa’s Best Kept Safari Secret

Nestled in the heart of Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park is a hidden gem often overshadowed by Africa’s more renowned (and crowded) safari destinations. Yet, for those in the know, Hwange is an unparalleled sanctuary of wilderness and wonder. Whether it’s entering the park via the enchanting Elephant Express train ride, watching a mama cheetah napping in the shade of an acacia tree with her cubs, or feeling the suspense of approaching wild elephants on foot, Hwange offers unique safari experiences that will make memories to last a lifetime. When my brother and his wife were ready to go to Africa, I chose to take them to Hwange, knowing that it would deliver an amazing experience (and it did!). Here’s why you should consider the often-overlooked Hwange National Park for your next African safari.

Everyone goes to Africa for up-close encounters with the most incredible wildlife in the world, and Hwange delivers on that promise. In addition to elephants (45,000 of them in the park!), giraffes, zebra, warthogs, lions, jackals, wildebeest, buffalo, and hyena, Hwange also offers the opportunity to see more unique and endangered species. Whether it’s catching African wild dogs on the hunt, running into cheetah on the Bomani Plains, or visiting the recently-reintroduced white rhinos in the Ngamo Wildlife Sanctuary, every day on safari will surprise and delight you with remarkable wildlife sightings in one of the most densely-concentrated wildlife destinations in Africa.

Most first-time safari-goers seek out Africa’s most famous parks: Kruger National Park in South Africa; Tanzania’s Serengeti; or the Maasai Mara in Kenya. While these parks are popular for a reason, there are so many other lesser-known parks and reserves across Africa that also offer spectacular safaris, with fewer visitors. Hwange is nearly the exact same size as the Serengeti (5,700 square miles), yet it receives only a fraction of the visitor numbers – 30,000 annual visitors compared to the Serengeti’s 500,000. The lack of crowds means that every game drive in Hwange feels like a private adventure, with just you, your expert guide, and Hwange’s tranquil landscapes and spectacular wildlife.

As someone who has been on dozens and dozens of safaris all across Africa over the last two decades, I really appreciate unique wildlife experiences above and beyond the traditional game drive. Our preferred camps in Hwange excel at that. Entering Hwange via the Elephant Express train ride is an absolutely magical way to kick off your safari, and approaching some of Hwange’s imposing elephants on foot during a walking safari is truly a thrill. Getting face-to-face (face-to-trunk?) with elephants from an underground blind offers a unique perspective, and it’s fascinating to see what nocturnal creatures emerge on a night drive (we’ve seen porcupines, jackals, genets, springhares, and African wildcats in Hwange). The recent reintroduction of white rhinos in the Ngamo Sanctuary offers incredible opportunities to view rhinos on foot and interact with the dedicated, community-based anti-poaching rangers who protect them.

We prioritize working with partners who provide exceptional guides, knowing that a high-quality guide can unlock an exceptional experience for our guests. Zimbabwe has some of the highest standards in all of Africa for a guide to become professionally certified, requiring about seven years of training – as much as medical school! Their learning incorporates skills like advanced first aid, botany, birding, and rifle skills (critical for escorting guests on foot). Many guides willing to go through that much training have an infectious passion for wildlife, and we have found our Zim guides to be some of the best on the continent – not just in technical skills and natural history observation, but also in their warmth and approachability. We have developed lasting friendships with some of our Hwange guides, and we love keeping in touch with them on social media – it’s a great way to continue your safari experience even after you go home!

Families looking to take kids ages seven and up on an unforgettable safari adventure should absolutely consider Hwange for their safari due to the unique, family-friendly activities. We’ve seen lodges that tout themselves as family-friendly simply because they have a pool, but in Hwange your kids will have kid-friendly experiences designed specifically for them. Children can become a Junior Ranger for a day, see elephants by mountain bike, play an impromptu soccer game with local children during a village visit, ride the Elephant Express, sleep out under the stars, walk with rhinos, and learn about conservation while hanging out with anti-poaching rangers who devote their lives to protecting wildlife. Hwange’s exceptionally trained guides will entertain and educate your kids while also keeping them safe and ensuring that everyone in the family is having fun and creating lifelong memories.

Hwange National Park is an excellent destination for visitors looking for an authentic glimpse at local life in rural Africa. You can interact with local Zimbabweans in authentic villages, going about their daily lives. When staying in the eastern part of the park, your local guide can take you for a tour of the nearby village, where you can chat with the Ndebele people, learn about their subsistence culture, tour a homestead, and visit the local school. Living near big wildlife is not easy when you make your living as a subsistence farmer, and embarking on a village visit gives greater depth and perspective to your safari while also allowing you to experience the warmth, kindness, and smiles of the local people.

Part of the fun of going on safari is staying in gorgeous camps that offer the perfect blend of comfort, style, and exceptional service – and Hwange has some standout options! Nehimba Lodge, located on a private concession in the northern part of the park, is one of my favorite camps in all of Africa. In addition to its charming tents, sumptuous meals, and doting staff, the in-camp elephant experiences are world-class; don’t get too attached to taking a dip in the pool because the elephants might drink all the water before you get there! The rustic Jozibanini offers one of the most wild and remote experiences in all of Africa for those looking to get off the beaten track, and the elegant and spacious villas at the community-run Camelthorn Lodge are the perfect place to take an afternoon nap in your hammock or dip in your private plunge pool on your second-story balcony.

While Hwange National Park flies under the radar for most Americans, the same cannot be said for the nearby Victoria Falls, and for good reason. Victoria Falls is the perfect place to unwind at the end of your Hwange safari, with exclusive camps, serene surroundings, and excellent water-based activities. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya (“the smoke that thunders”), the mile-wide falls are the largest waterfall in the world, and it’s exhilarating to hear the deafening roar of the falls and feel the spray as you admire the views on an afternoon hike through this UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to viewing the spectacular falls, more adventurous travelers can tour the falls by helicopter, whitewater raft the class five rapids of the Zambezi, or venture out into the Devil’s Pool to sit at the top of Victoria Falls and gape down at the 300-foot dropoff beside you (my personal favorite Vic Falls experience!). There are some ultra-luxurious safari lodges nearby that you will never want to leave. You can spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and phenomenal birdlife during sundowner river cruises, and the town of Vic Falls has great curio shopping where you can find fantastic souvenirs to bring home.

After exploring Hwange’s savannas and mopane forests, and relaxing at Vic Falls, you may also want to consider spending some time in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, exploring Zambia’s wild Lower Zambezi National Park, or paddling a kayak with Cape Town’s penguins. The Vic Falls airport (VFA) is well-connected to all of these highlights in southern Africa, making it easy to extend your adventure beyond Zimbabwe.

Ready to start planning your own custom safari to the wilds of Hwange? Reach out to someone who has been there and can help you customize your bespoke journey!

Your wild adventure aficionado,

Alexis Alloway