Hwange National Park

Hwange National Park

Hwange (previously called Wankie), Zimbabwe’s largest national park, is famous for its large herds of elephant. Other predominant species include buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, white and black rhino, cheetah, wild dog and bat-eared fox. This is one of the best parks on the continent to see sable antelope. Hwange is slightly larger than the state of Connecticut, covering 5656 square miles (14,651 km2). The park is located in the northwest corner of the country just west of the main road between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. Hwange boasts over 100 species of mammals and 400 species of birds.

The park ranges from semidesert in the south to a plateau in the north. The northern part of Hwange is mudstone and basalt, and the southern part is Kalahari sand veld. The park has an average altitude of 3300 feet (1000 m). Winter nights can drop to below freezing, and summer days can be over 100° F (38° C), while average temperatures range from 65-83° F (18-28° C). There are no rivers and only a few streams in the north of the park, but boreholes (wells) provide sources of water year-round for wildlife. During the dry season, these permanent water holes (pans) provide an excellent stage for guests to view wildlife performing day-to-day scenes of survival.

Generally, there are no seasonal animal migrations. The best time to see wildlife is during the dry season from July-October when the game concentrate near permanent water. Game viewing is good June and November, fair in April, May and December, and poor during the rainy season from January-March when the game is widely dispersed.
Game viewing is usually very good within ten miles (16 km) of Main Camp and Park Headquarters. Wildlife commonly seen nearby include elephant, giraffe, zebra, greater kudu, impala, buffalo, sable antelope, wildebeest, tsessebe, black-backed jackal, lion, hyena, and cheetah. On one visit we saw a try large full-maned male lion guarding a buffalo kill while a ckal darted in and out, snatching morsels as dozens of vul-Lres waited their turn.

On my most recent visit to Hwange we sat in a tree hide Y a waterhole and watched over 30 giraffe come to drink. From ground-level hide we watched as a herd of over 70 eland assed within 65 feet (30 m) and 10 buffalo came within 30 feet ) m) of us. On a night game drive in a wilderness area of the ^serve we saw five lion, one leopard and bat-eared fox.

Moonlight game viewing occurs from one or two nights efore and after a full moon when park staff escort guests to the fyamandhlovu (meaning “meat of the elephant") Platform tear main camp. Morning walks with a national park game cout may be available.

The area around Sinamatella Camp in the northern part •f the park is good for spotting kudu, elephant, giraffe, impala, lippo, klipspringer, warthog, lion, hyena, and leopard. The Bumbusi Ruins, the third largest ancient stone buildings in Zimbabwe, are located behind Bumbusi Camp, 15 miles (24 km) lorthwest of Sinamatella Camp.

The northwestern part of the park near Robins Camp is known for its large lion population. Other species often seen include impala (which attract the lion), buffalo, kudu, sable antelope, roan antelope, waterbuck, elephant, giraffe, reed-buck, tsessebe, lion, side-striped jackal, cheetah and hyena.

Hwange has 300 miles (480 km) of roads, some of which are closed during the rainy season. All-weather roads run through most of the park. Some roads near the main camp are tarmac, which detracts a bit from the feeling of being in the bush.

Vehicles must keep to the roads and visitors are not allowed to leave their vehicles unless escorted by a licensed professional guide, or at the hides, game-viewing platforms and at fenced-in picnic sites. Open vehicles are allowed.

An airstrip is available for small aircraft at Main Camp. The closest rail station is Dete Station, 15 miles (24 km) from Main Camp.

Accommodations: Sable Valley Lodge, Sikumi Tree Lodge, Ivory Lodge and Hwange Safari Lodge are all located in 60,000-acre (24,000 hectare) Dete Vlei (private reserve) bordering Hwange National Park, a 30-60 minute drive from Hwange National Park; guests of these camps and Kanondo Tree Camp enter the park through the main gate. The Hide, Jabulisa Lodge, Jijima Camp and Kumuna Lodge are located on private reserves or leased land; guests enter the park through Kennedy Pan. Makalolo Tented Camp and Nemba Safaris are located in an exclusive area deep within the park, about a three hour “game drive” from the airport. Only guests of these two camps are allowed in this region of the park. Mobile tented camp safaris are also available.

Class A:

The Hide is a new 14-bed luxury tented camp only a 10 minute drive from the Kennedy Pan entrance to the park. The large “Manyara” tents have ensuite facilities and the camp overlooks a waterhole. Day game drives are offered in the park; walks and night drives are offered on the private concession.

Sable Valley Lodge overlooks a water hole and accommodates up to 16 guests in luxury thatched lodges with ensuite facilities. Day game drives and walks are offered.

Sikumi Tree Lodge has nine thatched chalets (doubles) set in mangwe trees and two family chalets set closer to the ground (24 beds), all with private facilities and swimming pool. Activities include day game drives and walks.

Jijima Camp is a luxury tented camp (16 beds) with ensuite facilities situated on a private reserve about a 20-minute drive from the park.

Class A/B:

Makalolo Tented Camp is situated in the Makalolo Wilderness Area, a remote region of the park with excellent game. Only guests of Makalolo and Nemba Safaris (see below) are allowed in this part of the park, guaranteeing exclusivity. Tents with private facilities accommodate a maximum of 18 guests. The camp offers day and night game drives and walks.

Nemba Safaris is a 16-bed camp with tents and chalets with ensuite flush toilets and bush showers, and is situated in the remote Linquasha Wilderness area of the park. Day and night game drives, walks and visits to hides are offered.

Class B:

Kanondo Tree Camp accommodates a maximum of 12 guests in treehouses with ensuite facilities.

Jabulisa Lodge is a refurbished 1920s farmhouse with thatched cottages (1* beds) with ensuite facilities on a private reserve a 20-minute drive from the park. Game drives are offered.

Ivory Lodge consists of 10 treehouses with ensuite facilities and swimming pool, and is located an hour’s drive from the park.

Chokamella Camp has 10 tents with private facilities and a small swim¬ming pool.

Hwange Safari Lodge has 100 double rooms with private facilities, swimming pool and an elevated game-view¬ing platform with bar. Game drives are offered in large trucks and open vehicles.

Kumuna Lodge has 14 thatched rondavels with swimming pool on a private game ranch adjacent to the park. Game drives, walks, horseback riding and fishing are offered.

Class D, F & Camping:

There are six National Park Camps — Main Camp, Sinamatella Camp, Robins Camp, Bumbusi Camp, Lukosi Camp, Deka Camp and Nantwich Camp — all of which have lodge accommodation. Some rooms have private facilities. Ablution blocks are available for campers and for people in rooms without private facilities.