Hwange National Park Holidays

Sheer immensity and extraordinary wildlife epitomise Zimbabwe's largest national park

Hwange National Park is one of Africa's safari greats. At almost half the size of Belgium, Zimbabwe's largest national park is a vast and brazen showcase of the country at its most iconic. Beyond its dramatic savannah landscapes and wild forests, this Big Five heavyweight has a biodiversity so extraordinary it's matched only by the wildlife of the Serengeti and Kruger National Park. This is classic safari territory; lions, leopards and buffalo are all regularly spotted and its wild elephant population is one of the largest in the world. Where unforgettable experiences combine with some of the best game viewing on the continent, Hwange National Park is fast becoming one of the most sought-after safari destinations in Africa.

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Hwange National Park Hotels

Our recommendations for the best places to stay in Hwange National Park

Bomani Tented Lodge

A great value safari camp found on the edge of Hwange National Park

Somalisa Acacia

Luxury living meets family-friendly fun at this stylish safari camp in Hwange National Park

Somalisa Camp

This award-winning safari camp offers simple luxury in Hwange National Park

The Hide

This exclusive safari lodge combines traditional African style with great wildlife spotting

Safari on the Elephant Express across Hwange National Park

Along the north-eastern boundary of Hwange National Park, remnants of Africa’s colonial history can be seen peeping out of the terrain. This section of the railway line, built in 1904 as part of the British imperial dream to run a railway from Cape to Cairo, links the small village of Dete to the open grassland of the Ngamo plains and Bomani Tented Lodge. The Elephant Express is a 24-seater railcar that transports guests to the south-east remoter regions of Zimbabwe’s largest national park. Breezing over the plains in this open-sided railcar feels like no ordinary transfer.

It takes two hours cruising along at 25 miles per hour, three hours if you count the minutes spent stopping for your first glimpse of Hwange’s extraordinary creatures. You might think that the animals would be deterred by the sight of a railcar but the trainline has been part of Hwange’s scenery since 1904 slicing through the land on its way to Victoria Falls. It even pre-dates the park itself, which wasn’t officially declared until 1928. On your journey you might come across a couple of lion or even families of cheetah who use the raised track as vantage points to scout for prey. Or it could be elephant plodding across the way, wildebeest cantering through the tall grass and if you’re lucky, you might catch a thrilling encounter between predator and prey. Your driver will glide you along slowly to get a good look or completely stop for you to relish the moment.

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