Hwange National Park

Park entry fees are approximately $82 USD per person. Daily safari costs range from $150–$400+ per person depending on accommodation type and operator, with budget camps starting around $150–$250/day and mid-range lodges at $250–$400/day. All-inclusive packages from major tour operators typically cost $200–$350 per person per day, including accommodation, meals, and guided game drives. Costs vary by season, with peak dry-season rates higher than wet-season prices. Compare verified operators on SafariFind.com to find the best value for your budget.

The dry season from May to October is the best time to visit Hwange National Park. Wildlife congregates at permanent waterholes during these months, visibility is excellent, and roads are fully passable. Peak viewing occurs June through September when water becomes scarce and animals concentrate around remaining sources. October can be very hot but still offers excellent wildlife sightings. The wet season (November–April) features lush vegetation, migrating birds, and lower prices, but some roads become impassable and wildlife disperses, making sightings less predictable.

Hwange hosts all Big Five wildlife—lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino (though rhinos are very rare). The park is famous for its massive elephant population of 44,000–50,000 individuals, the largest in Africa. You'll also see African wild dogs (a Critically Endangered species frequently spotted in packs), cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, hippos, greater kudu, roan and sable antelopes, and numerous smaller mammals. Over 400 bird species inhabit the park, particularly during the wet season. Wildlife is most active and visible during the dry season (May–October) when animals gather at waterholes.

Hwange is located 200 kilometers south of Victoria Falls, accessible by a tarred highway suitable for standard vehicles (3–4 hour drive). Most international travelers fly into Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA), then drive or arrange a charter flight to the park. Charter flights from Victoria Falls to airstrips within or near Hwange take approximately 1 hour. Alternatively, fly into Bulawayo Airport (BUQ), approximately 300 km south, and drive north to Hwange. Many safari operators arrange transfers from Victoria Falls or include charter flights in their packages.