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Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Hwange National Park Summary
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The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
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Suited for
Zimbabwe – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type D , Type G
Type D:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) (ZWG) £1 ≈ ZWG 35.66 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 3/5
Cashless payments are becoming more common in Zimbabwe, especially in larger cities. However, cash is still widely used, and credit card acceptance may be limited outside urban areas.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is appreciated in Zimbabwe but not mandatory. In restaurants, a 10% tip is standard. Small tips are also welcomed in taxis and for hotel services. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is allowed in Zimbabwe, but alcohol is typically consumed in licensed venues or private spaces. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces but is allowed in designated outdoor smoking areas. |
| Independence Day (18 April) |
Celebrates Zimbabwe’s independence from Britain |
|---|---|
| Christmas (25 December) |
Celebrated with family gatherings and festive meals |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Numbers: 999 (General), 995 (Police), 994 (Ambulance), 993 (Fire) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Uber |
| Other: | Zimbabwe is known for its natural beauty, wildlife, and landmarks such as Victoria Falls. It offers a variety of outdoor and adventure experiences. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Best game viewing July to October, when animals depend on the park's pumped waterholes
Rainy season November to March: some camps close and dirt roads can become impassable
Large elephant herds gather at waterholes August to October, among Africa's biggest concentrations
Don't miss
- 🚙 Go on thrilling game drives to spot the Big Five
- 🚶♂️ Join guided walking safaris for close wildlife encounters
- 🐘 Watch elephants gather at the popular waterholes
- 🌙 Experience night drives to see nocturnal wildlife
- 🐕 Visit the Painted Dog Conservation Centre for wild dog insights
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Hwange National Park?
Hwange is a safari lover’s dream, home to over 100 mammal species and nearly 400 types of birds. It’s famous for its enormous elephant populations, but you’ll also spot lions, giraffes, buffalo, zebras and even the rare brown hyena. The park’s network of waterholes – many manmade and pumped year-round-draws wildlife in dramatic numbers, especially during the dry season (June–October). Walking safaris offer a thrilling, up-close perspective, while classic game drives let you cover more ground. The landscapes are striking, from granite koppies in the north to desert scrub in the south and the sense of space is unforgettable. But Hwange isn’t without its challenges. The roads can be rough-4x4s are recommended – and self-driving is best for experienced safari-goers. There’s little to no phone signal in many areas and WiFi is limited to some lodges. Summer brings intense heat and rains, which can flood roads and make wildlife harder to spot. Always bring extra water, fuel and supplies and follow park rules: stay on marked roads and never leave your vehicle outside designated areas. Still, if you want a truly wild, uncrowded safari with top-notch guiding and a real sense of adventure, Hwange is hard to beat.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
-
1
Masuma Dam Campsite (exclusive camp)
🎈Events
-
Bird migration season (Dec–Mar)
-
Dry season wildlife gatherings (Jun–Oct)
-
Guided photographic workshops
-
Conservation awareness days
Knowledge before you go
- Visit June-October. Dry season concentrates elephants at waterholes.
- Book guided game drives. Self-drive risky due to wild animals and terrain.
- Combine with Victoria Falls. Park is only 1.5-hour scenic drive away.
- Watch Little Makalolo waterhole at night; nocturnal predators hunt thirsty elephants.
How to travel to Hwange National Park
Hwange is easily reached by road from Victoria Falls (2–3 hours) or Bulawayo (5–6 hours). Most visitors arrive via private transfer, guided safari or self-drive (4x4 recommended). Public transport is possible but slow and complicated. Many lodges offer transfers from Victoria Falls or nearby airstrips and Hwange is often combined with a visit to Victoria Falls.
Access summary
- From Hwange National Park Airport (HWN): 15–45 min by lodge 4x4 transfer.
- From Victoria Falls: 2.5–3.5 hours by road transfer or shuttle.
- From Bulawayo: About 4–5 hours by tarred road; some safari stopovers.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Hwange National Park
Accommodation ranges from luxury safari lodges and tented camps to self-catering chalets and basic campsites. Most lodges offer all-inclusive packages with meals, activities and transfers. Book ahead, especially in peak season. Camping is allowed at designated sites-bring all supplies and be prepared for wild visitors!
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Hwange National Park
Most visitors explore by guided game drive or walking safari from their lodge or camp. Self-driving is allowed but only recommended for experienced travelers with a 4x4, as roads can be rough and signage limited. Always stay on marked roads and plan to return to camp before dark. There’s little to no phone signal – bring a satellite phone if venturing far.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in the region are around 58% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to ZWG) is 42% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is a lot cheaper compared to the past.
Travel costs (Data for Livingstone, Zambia - 151 km away)
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Notable additional fees:
Roughly US$20 – 24 (£15.02 – 18.03) per international visitor per day, plus a vehicle fee. ZimParks revised its tariffs in 2026, so confirm before you travel.
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Hwange is generally very safe for visitors, but always follow park rules and guides’ instructions. Never leave vehicles outside designated areas and be aware of wildlife at all times. Medical help can be far away, so take precautions.
Health & Medical
Medical care is limited — bring any needed medications and a basic first aid kit. Malaria is present, so use repellent and consider prophylaxis. Drink only filtered or bottled water and avoid walking alone at night.
Accessibility
Most lodges and camps are accessible by vehicle, but the terrain is rough and some activities (like walking safaris) require moderate fitness. Wheelchair access is limited in many areas — check with your lodge before booking.
Tap water
Tap water is not always safe to drink — stick to bottled or filtered water, which is widely available at lodges. Always carry water with you, especially on drives and walks.
Packing recommendations for Hwange National Park
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
🥾
Walking boots
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
🍫
Energy snacks
🧥
Waterproof jacket
👀
Binoculars
🪰
Insect repellent
🗺️
Map or GPS device
🔋
Power bank
limited electricity
🩹
Basic first aid kit
👕
Neutral-coloured clothing
👒
Sun hat
🚰
Plenty of water and hydration gear
🧥
Fleece mid-layer
for cool evenings
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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