Spanning 14,600 square kilometres of Kalahari sands, dense woodland and grasses, Hwange National Park is one of the largest wildlife reserves in Africa. Located in the far west of Zimbabwe, Hwange is also one of the country’s most prolific wildlife destinations and is particularly famous for its huge herds of elephants – it’s home to one of the largest populations in Africa. Read on for an introduction to the history and unique qualities of the park, as well as the iconic Hwange elephants…
The history of Hwange National Park
Long before it became a protected area, the land that is now Hwange National Park was occupied by the Nambya and San people, who hunted and gathered in the vast woodlands. By the early 19th century, the region was controlled by the Ndebele Kingdom and the land became a royal hunting ground. Then, with the arrival of British colonists in the late 1800s, the proclivity of hunting intensified, leading to a drastic decline in wildlife populations.
In 1928, the region was designated as Wankie Game Reserve in order to protect its diminishing wildlife numbers and by 1961, it was declared a national park under its current name. Due to Hwange National Park’s lack of rivers and permanent water sources, artificial waterholes were created in the 1930s, a practice that still continues to this day. As the decades passed, the park continued to expand, becoming one of Africa’s most important conservation areas (more on this later).
Wildlife in Hwange National Park
Zimbabwe’s oldest and largest national park, Hwange is home to a vast variety of wildlife, including over 100 mammal species and 400 species of birdlife. The park is well known for its predators including lions – the renowned Hwange Lion Coalition has prides of up to 20 – leopards and one of the largest populations of African painted dogs on the continent (they are most often seen during the denning season between June and August). Hwange is also one of the best places in Zimbabwe for seeing cheetah, although they are comparatively rare to other big cats. The park is home to huge herds of buffalo (between 200 and 1,000 strong), and you may also see rare antelope like sable and roan.
Birdlife is diverse and dazzling with specials including martial eagles and bateleurs, Kori Bustards (the heaviest flying bird), secretary birds and southern carmine bee-eaters.
It’s safe to say that in Hwange National Park, animals are in no short supply–and that’s before we have mentioned the most famous of its inhabitants, the elephants.
The majestic Hwange elephants
Hwange is known for having one of the largest elephant populations in Africa with approximately 45,000 – 50,000 of the pachyderms roaming the landscapes. These are African savannah elephants, the largest terrestrial animal on Earth and certainly one of the most majestic to behold. They are distinguishable by their extremely large ears, which allow them to radiate excess heat, and noticeably longer front legs. They are also known as ecosystem engineers as they dramatically shape the landscape they call home including using their tusks to dig into dry riverbeds and waterholes to make them deeper. But just why are there so many of them in Hwange?
Since the introduction of artificial waterholes fed by boreholes in the 1930s, seasonal migration amongst elephants have decreased whilst populations have generally increased, resulting in these prolific numbers and spectacular sightings. Hwange National Park also has incredible anti-poaching efforts and strict wildlife laws, which have assisted in keeping the elephant population stable.
Conservation in Hwange National Park
A number of conservation efforts are at play in order to preserve and protect the wildlife within Hwange, many of which include building and maintaining boreholes for a healthy and steady water supply–a vital element in sustaining the large population of elephants. There are also several research initiatives for tracking elephant numbers and monitoring herd health and movement within the park, both of which provide vital insights.
The Conservation and Wildlife Fund, a collaboration between conservationists and stakeholders in the Hwange region, addresses critical issues like habitat preservation and anti-poaching with a specialised unit that monitors and mitigates illegal activities, clears snares and supports law enforcement.
The World Wide Fund for Nature focuses on sustainable biodiversity management within Hwange and its buffer zones, aiming to enhance environmental protection, support law enforcement and promote community engagement. The establishment of eco-tourism and community conservation initiatives has been integral in the work being done to preserve Hwange National Park.
Initially focused on rhino monitoring, Bhejane Trust has expanded to support various aspects of Hwange’s ecosystem. Through its Field Assistance Program, volunteers engage in infrastructure development, wildlife monitoring, data collection and anti-poaching efforts. They also play a significant role in maintaining the park’s boreholes.
Depending on where you stay in Hwange, you may be able to get involved in one of these projects – just ask your guide (or us before you depart).
The best time to visit Hwange National Park
As is the case across the continent, each season in Zimbabwe has its own pros and cons, charms and challenges. We’ll start off with the green season, which begins with the December rains and lasts until February. During this time, Hwange’s usually dusty plains transform into blankets of green and the waterholes are replenished. This time of year is especially good for birdwatching and also signals calving season for antelope, giraffe and zebra, meaning the predators are out in full force.
However, animals tend to disperse during the green season, and thicker vegetation can mean reduced visibility. Many elephants even migrate west into Botswana for the wet season, meaning the sightings may not be as superlative. Because of this, the dry season (June to October) is often seen as the best time to visit Hwange National Park. It is during these months that animals congregate in droves around the limited waterholes, including active predators and herds of up to 100 elephants around each one.
Best locations for seeing elephants in Hwange
When on safari in Hwange, your guide will know just where to look for the spectacular herds of elephants, but it doesn’t hurt to know a bit about their favourite haunts either.
- Nyamandhlovu Pan is one of the oldest and most well-established waterholes in Hwange. Its raised viewing platform is an excellent spot from which to watch the animals going about their business with minimal disturbance. Nyamandhlovu is an especially good location for photographers hoping to catch elephants mid-splash.
- Located in the southeastern region of the park, Ngweshla Pan is delightfully peaceful and lesser-known, making it ideal for wildlife watching without a crowd.
- Another popular option is Guvalala Pan. Set in a strategic location along a wildlife route, the pan attracts high concentrations of elephant as well as giraffe, zebra and various antelope. Its raised hide makes it perfect for photography and the birdwatching is outstanding as well.
- Set in northern Hwange, Deteema Dam is a scenic location with excellent birdwatching opportunities and frequent sightings of elephant herds.
- With a well-positioned hide on the bank, Masuma Dam is one of the best places for up-close sightings of elephants as well as hippo, lion and leopard.
Best camps and lodges for seeing elephants in Hwange
Whether it’s front row seats to a waterhole or a knack for finding huge herds, we’ve put together a list of our favourite camps and lodges for spotting elephants in Hwange.
- Set on a private concession within Hwange National Park, The Hide Safari Camp was named after its excellent hide, which offers the very best views of their waterhole, whilst an elevated deck offers a different perspective of the wildlife. Its location also affords you with the opportunity to explore on foot, which is truly thrilling.
- Tear yourself away from the flat-out gorgeous interiors of Somalisa Camp to enjoy the view over an ancient watercourse, where you’ll spot wildlife of all shapes and sizes coming to quench their thirst. There’s nothing quite like floating in the camp’s pool while a herd of elephant drink at its edges. You can even spend the night in one of the hides for an up-close and personal encounter with the wildlife.
- Situated in a private concession, Camp Hwange is all about connecting with nature, whether that’s from a hushed spot in the waterside hide as elephants come to drink and bathe, or getting to know the landscape and all its inhabitants on foot. The guides are known for their deep knowledge of elephant behaviour and there are multiple nearby waterholes.
- Sitting on the edge of lush mopane woodlands, Nehimba Safari Lodge has a year-round waterhole at its centre, which attracts all manner of wildlife, including plenty of elephants. You could easily spend hours at the hide, enjoying the vistas over the waterhole below. Elephants have also been known to enjoy a sip from the lodge’s swimming pool.
- Located in the remote southwest of Hwange National Park, Jozibanini Camp offers guests a look into the park at its most untouched. Watching hundreds of elephants as they splash and drink from within the underground hide is mesmerising. And for something truly different, follow well-established elephant trails on a mountain bike.
So there you have it, the low-down on everything Hwange and what makes it such a special destination in Zimbabwe, and Africa as a whole. From its conservation efforts to the spectacular wildlife – including almost unmatched elephant sightings, Hwange National Park should definitely be on your safari bucket list. Take a look at our collection of trips to Hwange and beyond to get you started.
