Hwange
Old-world charm meets untamed wilderness
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest and oldest national park, offers a raw and authentic safari experience. While some of the campsite’s infrastructure and road conditions may feel reminiscent of earlier times, the park’s vast, untamed wilderness more than makes up for it. Covering over 14,600 square kilometers, Hwange boasts an extraordinary diversity of habitats - from open savannahs and mopani forests to dense woodlands of Teak, Terminalia, and Mopani.
The park is renowned for its plentiful sightings of elephant, lion, buffalo, giraffe, and an impressive variety of antelope, especially thanks to numerous waterholes - many of which have year-round water.
For a more intimate viewing experience, the park features several well-positioned hides where you can quietly observe wildlife at close range. Hwange offers a wide range of accommodation options both inside and around the park; from exclusive picnic site camps and self-catering platform camps to high-end lodges, all perfect for those seeking solitude and immersion in nature. The park’s vast network of undeveloped tracks gives travelers a true sense of wilderness adventure, and although a 4x4 vehicle is required, the rewards are unforgettable: uncrowded sightings, peaceful bush camps, and the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Sights & Scenes
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Our Expert Opinion
What makes Hwange special to me is its remarkable diversity of vegetation and landscapes. From teak forests and open grasslands in the south to mopane woodlands, vleis (wetlands), riverbeds and seasonal pans in the north - Hwange offers a constantly changing backdrop that captivates in every season.
We’re big fans of the park’s picnic site campsites, but have also uncovered some fantastic, affordable self-catering and lodge options that offer exclusivity, comfort, and even guided activities - all without the luxury price tag. That said, the top-end lodges bring incredible value and can easily be woven into any self-drive itinerary for a touch of luxury.
Kazuma Pan National Park – Zimbabwe’s Hidden Gem
What an unexpected surprise! Kazuma Pan is undoubtedly one of Zimbabwe’s most underrated and least-visited national parks. Tucked away along the historic Hunters Road and forming a key part of the transboundary wildlife corridor between Botswana and Zimbabwe, this park is a must for adventurous travellers seeking remote wilderness.
From the Serengeti-like openness of the Kazuma Depression to the rugged terrain and riverine vegetation of the Katshetshete Catchment, the diversity of landscapes is remarkable. In the rainy season, the Kazuma Depression transforms into a shallow wetland, attracting a stunning variety of waterfowl. During the dry months, the open grasslands become a haven for large herds of game, including rarities such as oribi, roan, sable, tsessebe, and eland. As natural water sources dry up, wildlife congregates around pumped pans like Corner Pan and Insiza, offering excellent game viewing.
On our July 2025 visit, we had the park nearly to ourselves, enjoying its solitude, adventurous driving routes, varied landscapes, and exceptional sightings of both birds and wildlife. Kazuma Pan is a true off-the-radar wilderness—ideal for self-drivers wanting space, seclusion, and a slice of wild Zimbabwe rarely experienced by others.
