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Alison
AU
Visited:
January 2012
Reviewed: Jun 11, 2012
Email Alison | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was amazing, everything as I imagined an African safari would be.
We spent two days at Ivory Lodge, on the first day they took us to the Painted Dog Conservation Centre. At the centre they has 3 rehabilitating dogs and its a place were they take local schools to educate the children and visitors about the plight of the Painted Dogs. Its very rare to see Painted Dogs in the wild so being able to just see some who one day will again be wild was wow. That afternoon we went on a sunset game drive in Hwange and we actually saw real
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Painted Dogs, so that was my unexpected highlight of the trip, we also saw a breeding herd of Elephants, Buffalo, lots of birds and a cheetah.On the second day we spent on a whole day game drive, and saw much of the same animals, as well as three lions, and we ran into another herd of elephants they were so close you could have touched them and they weren't afraid they just checked us out and kept eating.
We went during the rainy season, but thankfully it didn't rain, but the park was all green and in full bloom, it was some of the best scenery in Zimbabwe. Our guide were all locals and new everything and always had an answer to our questions.
I would definetely go back it was an amazing couple of days
Simone
US
Visited:
January 2008
Reviewed: Sep 26, 2011
20-35 years of age
The best safari experience I had in Africa
We saw ostriches, zebras, impala, elephants, giraffes, kudu, rhinos, but best of all were the lions. We came across lions in the midst of a hunt. It's rare for them to hunt during the day and even though we didn't witness the inevitable conclusion, it was interesting to watch from a viewpoint designed for tourists as the lions stalked and chased after zebras and impala.
Our guide was clearly very experienced and far better at spotting wildlife than any of us, but he was also endlessly patient, stopping the car for everyone to get a look at each sight. We also only encountered one other group of tourists the entire day, which added greatly to the atmosphere.
Our drive was cut a bit short by an incoming storm, but that's a risk you take
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in the middle of the rainy season, which I would still argue is the best time to go on safari, despite the fact that it eschews traditional logic. Also known as "the emerald season," the scenery is much more colorful, vibrant, and abundant, but finding accommodations may become somewhat more difficult. Still, it's worth a try and Hwange has a great deal more to offer than wildlife alone. Simply being there was a joy.
Tami L. Wendell
Visited:
April 2012
Reviewed: Aug 6, 2012
The Africa of my dreams.
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the thrum of insects, all made for a memorable African experience. I hated to leave. Now, whenever I think of Africa, I cry to think of what I left behind, and the images that come to mind are the treasured images from my visit to Hwange National Park.
BrianIron
GB
Visited:
November 2016
Reviewed: Apr 26, 2017
Email BrianIron | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A real wildlife experience
Hwange is a superb destination to experience a real wildlife adventure. The guiding is of an exceptional standard, the best I have experienced on a number of trips to Africa including Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania. The use of concessions allows for walking safaris which add another very enjoyable element to the experience.
I visited during November which is a season of change in Hwange, we only had one day when it rained in the 8 nights we spent in the park. 2016 was the second year of drought in southern Africa and the landscape and scenery were affected by it and clearly animals had suffered. However we saw excellent wildlife and were lucky enough to see a Leopard at the waterhole at one camp one evening.
The camps are all of a good standard with good food and service. None of the camps we stayed in were fenced so perhaps not for the nervous or first time safari.
Roads are rough so be prepared to be bounced about a bit.
Overall an unmissable destination if wildlife is your thing.
CharlesGangas Photography
US
Visited:
March 2016
Reviewed: Mar 28, 2016
Email CharlesGangas Photography | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Thrilling Odyssey
Hwange National Park offered wonderful opportunities to view and photograph amazing wildlife. We found eight large mammal, three of the Big Five, in just our first morning game drive. As an avian photographer on my first trip to Zimbabwe I was thrilled at the species I saw and recorded, which included Bateleur, African Fish, Wahlberg's, and Tawny Eagles. We found several species of Hornbill, and of course numerous Lilac-breasted Rollers and Southern Carmine Bee Eaters. We saw elephants, hippos, zebras, antelope, lions, and a cheetah.
Our stay at The Hide was comfortably luxurious, with excellent food and service and great views of visiting wildlife to the watering holes. The game drives were thrilling each morning and afternoon, and I was delighted with the knowledge and expertise of our safari guide, Daffy. We're planning of a return visit in the very near future.
AT
SG
Visited:
August 2019
Reviewed: Sep 17, 2019
Email AT | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Huge herds of animals ... would have wanted to see rhinos though...
Luke
US
Visited:
July 2019
Reviewed: Aug 13, 2019
Email Luke | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Hwange was amazing! Not at all crowded, and got to see lots of wildlife.
Veronica
MX
Visited:
June 2019
Reviewed: Jul 15, 2019
Email Veronica | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Beautiful park, few people, and lots of animals
Hwange is a beautiful park and the safari experience feels quite unique because there are very few cars/ people. It was usually just our car and at times one researcher. The scenery is gorgeous and I saw lots of elephants, anthelopes, birds of all kinds, zebras, giraffes, and a male lion. I feel you need a full day safari to go deep into the park and actually see the animals.
Owen Shaffer
KE
Visited:
July 2018
Reviewed: Oct 21, 2018
Email Owen Shaffer | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Absolutely one of the best National Parks in Africa
I just made my second trip to Hwange National Park in June. It was just superb again. I stayed at Little Makalolo Camp and Camp Hwange each for four nights. The wildlife viewing was just phenomenal. I saw everything from elephants to wild dogs,lions and cheetahs. I also saw plenty of roan and sable antelope.
Zimbabwe is famous for having the highest standards of guiding in Africa. I have to say that all my guides at both Little Makalolo and Camp Hwange were just superb. I also felt that both the camps I stayed at were terrific in every way.
Andyb423834
US
Visited:
October 2016
Reviewed: Feb 13, 2017
Email Andyb423834 | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Couldn't have been more amazing
Spent two nights at Elephants Eye lodge and had an amazing full day game drive through Hwange National Park. We saw so many animals and had such a great day. Would go back in a heartbeat!