Safari in Hwange & Victoria Falls
Explore iconic Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe's largest wildlife sanctuary, Hwange National Park, renowned for its vast elephant herds and diverse ecosystems.
Hwange & Victoria Falls Parks Map
Explore safari parks across Hwange & Victoria Falls
Hwange & Victoria Falls Safari Parks
Explore safari parks in Hwange & Victoria Falls
Antoniette Farm
Antoniette Farm is a protected area in Zimbabwe.
Chete Safari Area
Chete Safari Area is a protected area in Zimbabwe.
Chirisa Safari Area
Adjacent to Chizarira National Park, Chirisa offers a similar rugged and remote wilderness experience, with diverse habitats supporting a wide range of wildlife. It's known for its good populations of elephant, buffalo, and various antelope, and is popular for both photographic and ethical hunting safaris.
Chizarira National Park
One of Zimbabwe's most remote and untouched national parks, Chizarira is characterized by its dramatic escarpment, deep gorges, and rugged terrain. It offers a true wilderness experience with opportunities to spot elephant, lion, leopard, and a variety of antelope, making it ideal for adventurous hikers and those seeking an off-the-beaten-path safari.
CT/3 Concession
CT/3 Concession is a protected area in Zimbabwe.
CT/5
CT/5 is a protected area in Zimbabwe.
Deka Safari Area
Deka Safari Area is a protected area in Zimbabwe.
Dimbangombe Conservancy
Dimbangombe Conservancy is a protected area in Zimbabwe.
Hwange National Park
Zimbabwe's largest and most famous national park, Hwange is renowned for its vast herds of elephants, often numbering in the thousands, especially around its numerous waterholes during the dry season. It also boasts a high concentration of predators, including lions, leopards, and cheetahs, making it a premier Big Five safari destination with diverse landscapes ranging from Kalahari sands to Mopane woodlands.
Kazuma Pan National Park
Located near the Botswana border, Kazuma Pan is characterized by its large, shallow pans that fill with water during the rainy season, attracting vast numbers of migratory birds and large herds of plains game. It's an important corridor for elephants moving between Botswana and Hwange, offering a unique birdwatching and game viewing experience.
Matetsi Safari Area
Matetsi Safari Area is a protected area in Zimbabwe.
Matetsi Safari Area 6 + 7
Matetsi Safari Area 6 + 7 is a protected area in Zimbabwe.
Mucheni Community Conservancy
Mucheni Community Conservancy is a protected area in Zimbabwe.
Railway Farm 35
Railway Farm 35 is a protected area in Zimbabwe.
Railway Farm 37
Railway Farm 37 is a protected area in Zimbabwe.
Railway Farm 39
Railway Farm 39 is a protected area in Zimbabwe.
Victoria Falls National Park
Victoria Falls National Park in north-western Zimbabwe protects the south and east bank of the Zambezi River in the area of the world-famous Victoria Falls. It extends along the Zambezi river from the larger Zambezi National Park about 6 km above the falls to about 12 km below the falls.
Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve
Adjacent to Victoria Falls, this private reserve offers exclusive game viewing experiences, including the Big Five, in a pristine wilderness setting. It's particularly known for its rhino conservation efforts and offers guided walks, game drives, and night drives, providing a more intimate and flexible safari experience close to one of the world's natural wonders.
Victoria Falls Rainforest
Victoria Falls Rainforest is a protected area in Zimbabwe.
Woodlands Community Reserve
Woodlands Community Reserve is a protected area in Zimbabwe.
Zambezi National Park
Located upstream from Victoria Falls, this park offers a more relaxed safari experience with the Zambezi River as its northern boundary. It's home to elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, and a wide array of antelope, providing excellent game viewing opportunities, especially on river cruises and game drives, often combined with a visit to the iconic falls.
Compare Parks in Hwange & Victoria Falls
Side-by-side comparison of safari parks in Hwange & Victoria Falls
| Park | Area | Wildlife | Lodges | Crowds | Malaria | Airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hwange National Park | 14,651 km² | 353 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | FVLK (61km) |
| Zambezi National Park | 560 km² | 442 | - | Quiet | Moderate | ZW-0054 (11km) |
| Chizarira National Park | 192 km² | 169 | - | Quiet | Moderate | FVCR (10km) |
| Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve | - | 442 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | VFA (9km) |
| Chirisa Safari Area | - | 198 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | ZW-0032 (3km) |
| Kazuma Pan National Park | - | 442 | - | Quiet | Moderate | BW-0014 (27km) |
| Antoniette Farm | - | 374 | - | Quiet | Moderate | FVMC (26km) |
| Chete Safari Area | - | 169 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | ZW-0017 (15km) |
| CT/3 Concession | - | 206 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | BW-0044 (44km) |
| CT/5 | - | 218 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | BW-0044 (19km) |
| Deka Safari Area | - | 353 | - | Quiet | Moderate | WKI (16km) |
| Dimbangombe Conservancy | - | 442 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | VFA (10km) |
187 species recorded in Hwange & Victoria Falls18 threatened
We find the sheer scale of Hwange's landscape breathtaking, a vast expanse of Kalahari sands that feels both ancient and alive. The sunsets here are sensational, painting the wide-open skies with fiery hues that reflect off the dusty plains. Standing at the edge of Victoria Falls, the thundering 'Smoke that Thunders' is an overwhelming sensory experience, a powerful reminder of nature's raw force. We love how these two distinct environments, the arid savanna and the lush riverine gorge, offer such a compelling contrast for wildlife viewing.
Terrain & Altitude
Predominantly flat Kalahari sandveld, punctuated by ancient fossil dunes, scattered rocky outcrops, and the dramatic gorge carved by the Zambezi River.
900-1,100m above sea level
Vegetation
A mosaic of Mopane woodlands, extensive Teak and Acacia forests on Kalahari sands, open grasslands, and lush riverine vegetation along the Zambezi.
Water Sources
The mighty Zambezi River dominates the northern edge, while Hwange relies heavily on a network of vital pumped waterholes and seasonal pans.
Unique Features
The colossal Victoria Falls, one of the world's largest waterfalls, and Hwange's ancient fossil dunes and deep Kalahari sands are truly distinctive.
For Hwange, we strongly advocate for fly-in safaris from Victoria Falls. While driving to the park gates is feasible, the internal park roads are best navigated by experienced safari guides, and a light aircraft transfer saves valuable time, maximizing your wildlife viewing opportunities. We find the aerial perspective of Hwange's vastness truly unforgettable.
Nearest Airports
Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA)
Directly serves Victoria Falls town; approximately 100km / 1.5hr drive to Hwange National Park's northern gates.
Daily connections from Johannesburg (South Africa) on multiple carriers, regional flights from Harare, and direct flights from Nairobi (Kenya) and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia).
Bush Airstrips
Driving Routes
From Victoria Falls
The road is generally well-maintained tarmac for the majority of the journey, making it a straightforward drive. We recommend a 4x4 if you plan to self-drive into the park itself, especially during the wet season, but transfers arranged by your lodge are usually in comfortable safari vehicles.
From Bulawayo
A longer but scenic drive, mostly on good tarmac roads. This route is less common for international visitors but offers a different perspective if you're exploring more of Zimbabwe. Again, a 4x4 is advisable for internal park roads.
Temperature
23°C
73°F
Rainfall
240.6 mm
Heavy rains
Humidity
78.5%
Sunshine
9.5 hrs/day
Data source: Open-Meteo Archive API
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