Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park covers a vast area of 14,650 km², running from about 1 hour south of Victoria Falls along the Botswana border. Formerly the Matabele king, Mzilikazi's royal hunting grounds, Hwange was made a national park in 1928. A project of drilling boreholes deep into the Kalahari sand, bringing life giving water to an area previously characterized by its absence.
One of the most remarkable facts of Hwange, Zimbabwe’s largest National Park, is that if it were not for pumped water holes this area would be an unpopulated, sandy mopane forest. At the tender age of 22, Ted Davison became the first park warden of Hwange. From the early 1930s he began the process of drilling boreholes deep into the Kalahari sand, bringing life giving water to an area previously characterized by its absence.
This area of mopane forest that runs up the border with Botswana was historically a migratory corridor through which animals, elephants in particular, would pass on their way from the mineral rich areas of central Botswana to the lush areas in the north along the Chobe and Zambezi rivers. This migratory path brought elephants into regular conflict with humans. Through the formation of the park, and with the dedicated pumping of water, Hwange has become a year-round conflict free zone for a vast population of the great pachyderms.
There is much more to Hwange than the elephants, a great diversity of mammals and birds fill this national park with life. The different habitats of the park, from wide open grasslands to thick forest, provide opportunities to see a great range of game on drives. While elephants are a given on all drives in Hwange, it is not uncommon to come across good herds of buffalo and healthy prides of lion. If you get lucky you may spot an leopard hanging in the trees or a coalition of cheetah sunning themselves on the side of a termite mound. The park is rich in plains game, and again, you may be lucky and see the magnificent sable or roan that live here.
Jozibanini Camp
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Jozibanini Camp is a small and truly exclusive camp in a remote part of Hwange National Park. The camp is situated in the south west part of the park where only the wildlife and park rangers frequent.
Khulu Bush Camp
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
The small Khulu Bush Camp overlooks an ancient riverbed, in today’s terms called a ‘vlei’, known to attract a variety of the greatest wildlife and bird life in Hwange National Park, right on your doorstep.
Nehimba Lodge
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Located within a private concession in the northern region of Hwange National Park is Nehimba Lodge. Famed for its huge populations of elephant, guests can expect an incredibly close-up experience of these gentle giants from the comfort of camp.
Bomani Tented Lodge
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Bomani Tented Lodge is situated within a 5000 acre private reserve and only 1.5 kilometers from Hwange National Park. Bomani is an intimate, exclusive campsite with only nine luxury tents and one thatched bungalow.
Little Makalolo Camp
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Little Makalolo Camp is located in the heart of Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, next to a vibrant waterhole. This is an exclusive six room camp offering an unsurpassable game viewing experience in the country's largest protected area.
Somalisa Camp
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Somalisa is located in a private concession at the heart of Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park. Known as 'the home of elephants', a visit to this luxury camp results in an interaction with the planet's largest land mammal that is unlike any other.