NATIONAL PARK · BIG FIVE
Zimbabwe's largest national park — fifteen thousand square kilometres of teak woodland, salt pans, and the largest elephant herd in southern Africa.
Why Hwange
Hwange is fifteen thousand square kilometres of teak woodland and Kalahari sand on Zimbabwe's western border. It is the largest national park in the country, and one of the largest in southern Africa.
It is home to the Presidential Elephants — a herd of around four hundred animals my father, Alan Elliott, had granted formal protected status in 1990. Each one is named, individually identified, and individually monitored.
This is the Big Five at its best in Zimbabwe — but the park is also famous for its painted dogs, bat-eared foxes, and the kind of horizons that make you understand why people fall in love with Africa in the first place.
“I was born into Hwange. My father lived here, the elephants we know by name lived here, and the silence at the waterhole at dawn is the sound I associate with home.”
— Josh Elliott · Founder · Fifth-generation ZimbabweanAt a glance
Area
14,651 km² · Largest in Zim
Best Time
May to October
Wildlife
Big Five · Wild Dog · 100+ mammals
Stay
12+ camps · Multiple price tiers
Heritage
Presidential Elephants since 1990
From
$350
pp / night
Highlights
Four hundred elephants named, identified, and individually known. The first protected herd in Africa — granted by President Mugabe in 1990.
Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and both rhino species — at game densities equal to anywhere on the continent.
One of Africa's healthiest wild-dog populations. Dawn drives in the southern part of the park give 60% sighting odds in season.
Hwange's lifeblood. In dry season every animal in twenty kilometres comes to drink. Sit at one for an hour.
Gallery
Experiences
Six days on foot — Hwange, Matobo, and Mana Pools
A thrilling yet family-friendly adventure combining safaris, cultural encounters, and the iconic Victoria Falls.
Seven days designed around the light
From Ancient Ruins to Thrilling Safaris. This private journey blends exploration with classic safari excitement, all at a…
Five days — see the impact, meet the people, make a difference
Experience the perfect Zimbabwe introduction in one unforgettable journey.
On the map
Hwange does what every safari should: it makes you feel small. We saw 19 elephants drinking at sunset and forgot every other place.
Sarah & David · New York · 10-night Zimbabwe trip, September 2025
When to travel
JAN
○FEB
○MAR
○APR
○MAY
○JUN
○JUL
○AUG
○SEP
○OCT
○NOV
○DEC
○May–October — peak. Dry, cool, animals concentrate at the waterholes. Best Big Five viewing of the year.
November–April — green season. Born-this-year wildlife everywhere. Migration of mass colour: birds, butterflies, flowers. Some camps close. Some roads impassable.
Conservation
Hwange's conservation story is remarkable. The Presidential Elephants programme, founded by my father in 1990, was the first time individual elephants were given formal political protection. The herd has grown from sixty to four hundred animals.
Visitor revenue goes directly to ZimParks. Many of our partner camps run anti-poaching units, community schools, and predator-monitoring programmes that wouldn't exist without tourism.
Practical
Hwange has its own airport (HWN) — direct flights from Victoria Falls (40 min) and Harare (1.5h). Road from Vic Falls: 2.5h. Some camps offer charter air transfer to bush airstrips.
Currency: USD widely used.
Connectivity: Variable in camps; satellite at the larger lodges.
Malaria: Yes — prophylaxis recommended October–April; year-round in some camps.
Yellow fever: Not required for direct flights from US/UK/EU.
Vaccinations: Routine + tetanus.
Khaki / neutral colours for game drives. Warm jacket for dawn drives. Closed shoes. Long sleeves dawn-and-dusk against mosquitoes. Binoculars (bring your own — game densities are too good to share a pair).
Speak to a specialist
I plan every Zim Travellers itinerary myself. Tell me what you'd want from a few days here and I'll write you a route — no template, no aggregator, no commission desk.
"I answer every email here personally — within 24 hours."
Frequently Asked
Three nights minimum. Five if you want the Presidential Elephants programme + general game + cultural visit + walking safari.
Yes. In peak dry season most travellers see four of five in a 3-day stay. Black rhino is the rarest — see Matobo for that.
Hwange has one of Africa's healthiest populations. April–November is best, especially after a kill the night before.
August–November — when the waterholes are the only source of water and herds gather in their hundreds.
Yes — the herd lives in the Hwange Estate area. Our local guides know individual animals and can identify them by name.
