Private8 days
Classic Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls, Hwange, Matobo & Khami
The Falls, the elephants and the granite, in eight days
From $5,950 per person
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Zimbabwe · National Park
Hwange
Zimbabwe’s largest national park — 14,650 square kilometres of teak woodland, Kalahari sand and dry-season waterholes that draw elephants in remarkable numbers.
Hwange covers 14,650 square kilometres of teak woodland and Kalahari sand — Zimbabwe’s largest national park and one of southern Africa’s major protected areas.
The park is closely associated with the Presidential Elephants, protected under a 1990 presidential decree and monitored through work with roots in Alan Elliott’s time in Hwange. Elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo are established here; rhino sightings are rare. Hwange is also an important painted-dog stronghold.
“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.”
Best May–October 23 experiences Presidential Elephants since 1990
Recommended trips
Start with these.
Hwange anchors most Zimbabwe itineraries. These are the routes we plan most often — private vehicle, private guide, adjustable before you commit.
Private12 days
Private14 days
Guest review
What guests say about Hwange.
A named guest, a real trip and a travel date.
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
Why ZimTravellers
One person plans your trip. He lives here.
ZimTravellers is not a call centre. Josh Elliott — fifth-generation Zimbabwean, owner of Matobo Hills Lodge — writes every itinerary himself, drives these roads, and answers every email within one working day. That changes what a trip here can be.
One local point of contact
You plan directly with Josh from first enquiry to the trip itself — one point of contact, whether the day is run by our own team or a hand-picked local operator.
Generations deep
Five generations in Zimbabwe. The guides, the border posts, the fuel stops — known first-hand, not from a supplier manual.
Direct WhatsApp line
WhatsApp Josh before, during and after the trip. Office hours Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00 and Sat 09:00–13:00 CAT — replies within one working day.
Stories, not schedules
Routes built around what you want from the country — not a fixed departure sheet with your name added.
Tell Josh what you’d want from a few days in Hwange and he’ll write you a route. No template, no commission desk.
Make an enquirySignature experiences
What Hwange does best.
Hwange
The Presidential Elephants
A closely monitored herd protected under a 1990 presidential decree, with roots in Alan Elliott’s work in Hwange.
Hwange
Hwange’s big game
Elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo are established in Hwange. Rhino sightings are rare; Matobo is the stronger choice for rhino tracking.
Hwange
Painted dog tracking
Hwange is one of Zimbabwe’s key painted-dog strongholds. Sightings are never guaranteed, but expert tracking and dry-season road access help.
Hwange
Waterholes at sunset
During the dry season, pumped waterholes concentrate wildlife and reward patient viewing as the heat leaves the day.
Recommended accommodation
Where we stay in Hwange.
A short planning list, not a price promise. We confirm the right property, room and current rate for your dates before you commit.
Hwange
Somalisa Camp
Hwange stay · availability and current rate confirmed before your proposal.
Ask Josh about this stay →
The Hide Safari Camp
Hwange stay · availability and current rate confirmed before your proposal.
Ask Josh about this stay →
Hwange Safari Lodge
Hwange stay · availability and current rate confirmed before your proposal.
View this stay →
Iganyana Tented Camp
Hwange stay · availability and current rate confirmed before your proposal.
Ask Josh about this stay →
Speak to Josh
Plan your Hwange trip.
Tell me your dates, your party, and what you want from Hwange. I’ll reply with a route and honest advice on what to skip.
Make an enquiry
WhatsApp Josh
+263 77 587 6661 · Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00 · Sat 09:00–13:00 CAT · Closed Sundays & public holidays
“I answer every email here personally — within one working day.”
Ways to travel
How do you want to do this?
Tailor-made
Your dates, your pace, your rooms. Josh writes the route from scratch around what you want from the country — most guests travel this way.
On the map
The far west, on the Botswana border.
Hwange has its own airport (HWN): 40 minutes from Victoria Falls, 90 from Harare. By road from Victoria Falls it is about two and a half hours, and several camps take charter flights to bush airstrips.
- Combine with Matobo HillsExplore trips →
- Combine with Victoria FallsExplore trips →
- Combine with Mana PoolsExplore trips →
Every marker is a link — tap a region to open its page. Hold Ctrl (⌘ on Mac) and scroll, or use the buttons, to zoom.
When to travel
Twelve months at the waterholes.
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● Peak◐ Shoulder○ Green season
May–October — dry season. Cool mornings early on, then hotter conditions as wildlife concentrates around reliable water.
November–April — green season. New-born wildlife, returning migrant birds, big skies. Some camps close and some roads flood; we route around both.
All trips
Every Hwange experience.
14 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Epic Zimbabwe
Two weeks, every landscape that matters
From $12,150 ppView trip →
14 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Zimbabwe Hidden Gems & Ancient Hills
The full circuit — Falls, Hwange, Matobo and the wild north
From $9,950 ppView trip →
12 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Best of the Zambezi, Hwange & Mana Pools
River, elephants and rock art — the Zambezi arc
From $10,850 ppView trip →
12 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Family Zimbabwe: Falls, Hwange, Matobo & Kariba
A family safari with history between the game drives
From $9,900 ppView trip →
12 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Luxury Walking & Rivers
Eleven nights on foot, from the pans to the Zambezi
From $19,700 ppView trip →
12 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Proper Matobos, Hwange, Falls & Kariba
The Matobos route done properly
From $8,850 ppView trip →
12 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Ultimate Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe's greatest hits, at the top end
From $12,850 ppView trip →
11 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Feathers & Footprints: A Birding Safari
Chasing Zimbabwe's rarest wings
From $4,900 ppView trip →
11 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
True Zimbabwe with Khami Ruins
The whole story — Falls, Hwange, Mana and ancient Matobo
From $8,900 ppView trip →
11 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Victoria Falls, Hwange, Matobo & Lake Kariba
The balanced first-timer's Zimbabwe
From $6,800 ppView trip →
10 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Zimbabwe at Its Best
Khami, Matobo, Hwange and the Falls, in ten days
From $5,200 ppView trip →
10 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Zimbabwe Highlands, Great Zimbabwe, Matobo & Hwange
Rhinos, mountains, stone cities and elephants — overland
From $6,800 ppView trip →
9 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Elephants and the Victoria Falls
Elephant country, the Falls and the hills
From $6,700 ppView trip →
9 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Livingstone, Hwange, Matobo & Mana Pools
Falls to floodplain, with a granite interlude
From $8,600 ppView trip →
9 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Luxury Waterfalls & Walking Safaris
Waterfalls, walking safaris and granite dawns
From $8,200 ppView trip →
8 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Classic Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls, Hwange, Matobo & Khami
The Falls, the elephants and the granite, in eight days
From $5,950 ppView trip →
8 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Two Countries, One Great River
Across Zimbabwe and Botswana — Falls, Hwange, Chobe
From $4,900 ppView trip →
7 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Big Five Explorer: A Raw Zimbabwean Safari
Track rhinos, scout leopards, and camp among elephants on this wild, budget-friendly camping safari through Zimbabwe’s hidden corners.
From $1,200 ppView trip →
7 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
The Photographer’s Safari
Seven days designed around golden hour
From $3,900 ppView trip →
6 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Rovos Rail, Bulawayo, Matobo & Victoria Falls
Rovos Rail, with Matobo and Khami done properly first
From $4,300 ppView trip →
5 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Safari That Gives Back
See the impact, meet the people
From $2,600 ppView trip →
Full-Day Tours · Max 12 guests
Hwange Full-Day Safari
Elephants, lions and 400+ birds — the flagship park
From $195 ppView trip →
Full-Day Tours · Private (max 8 guests)
Hwange on Foot
The most immersive way to safari
From $185 ppView trip →
No trips match those filters here — tell Josh what you’re after and he’ll build it.
Frequently asked
Hwange, answered.
Three nights minimum. Five if you want the Presidential Elephants programme + general game + cultural visit + walking safari.
Elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo are established in the park. Rhino sightings are rare, so we normally pair Hwange with Matobo when rhino tracking matters.
Hwange is an important painted-dog stronghold. No sighting is guaranteed; experienced guides use recent movement and tracking signs to improve your chances.
July–October is strongest for dry-season concentrations around permanent and pumped water. Conditions become hotter and drier towards October.
Their story is centred on the Hwange Estate area. Ask Josh to plan with a guide who understands the herd’s history and current movements; sightings remain wild and unguaranteed.
Plan your trip
The elephants are named. Come and meet them.
Tell Josh your dates and your party. You’ll get a route, straight answers, and a reply within one working day.