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thepaperchef
CA
Visited:
September 2010
Reviewed: Oct 2, 2011
20-35 years of age
Leon Varley Walking Safari--great, knowledgeable, friendly guide with decent accommodation and food. A treat to walk in the bush be on the same eye level with the animals.
andrew_mc_d
Visited:
September 2011
Reviewed: Oct 2, 2011
We didn't bush drive at the best times of the day to spot game so it's a little hard to judge
Mr Ush
GB
Visited:
July 2007
Reviewed: Oct 7, 2011
35-50 years of age
Swenglishnick & Zimgirl
GB
Visited:
December 2007
Reviewed: Oct 10, 2011
Email Swenglishnick & Zimgirl | 35-50 years of age
Enjoying a great park on a budget
We visited Hwange in December which is a little far into the rainy season to see the most animals. The best time to visit is in September when the water holes are great places to spot the wide range of animals in the park.
We stayed in the rustic National Parks cottages which, even in the middle of shortages that were affecting Zimbabwe, were great places to stay and very cost-effective.
We did not have a 4x4 but found there to be ample routes around the park for a normal 2 wheel drive car. We saw a wide selection of antelope, giraffe, cheetah and zebra. We were sad to miss out on the elephants but they had disappeared off into the bush because of the rains. We also got great views of the Black Rhino at the nearby Hwange Safari Lodge.
When we were not self-driving, we went on some excellent guided drives with extremely knowledgeable local guides.
At that time of year, the birding was excellent and could fill in the periods when the larger game was not visible.
Boris Bals
NL
Visited:
October 2008
Reviewed: Oct 17, 2011
35-50 years of age
It was my first experience and it was really good, but I have no reference what so ever, so it's hard to say, how good it really is. We saw 4 of the BIG 5 and a lot more, and that is the main reason you're there, right!? ;-)
missprice
US
Visited:
August 2010
Reviewed: Oct 23, 2011
35-50 years of age
The animal viewing in Hwange was excellent - the best of the trip - and the accomodations were very comfortable.
T Sharp
Visited:
June 2008
Reviewed: Nov 22, 2011
I truly enjoyed the park in Hwange, and it was very apparent why it is such a desired safari destination. I saw a lot of wildlife, which was not only varied, but seemed thriving. It is an interesting mix of flora and fauna, and I hope to be able to return soon.
bastian birk
DE
Visited:
September 1996
Reviewed: Dec 4, 2011
Email bastian birk | 50-65 years of age
If you're into bush vibe, this park is a great destination; not so much so if you're into wildlife.
Hwange National Park is quite a large national park, which gives off a really nice bush vibe since it is definitely not overrun with tourists at all, neither in minibuses or private vehicles. Due to the vegetation of rather dense miombo woodland, you can see wildlife practically only at the many waterholes; safaris consist therefore of driving from waterhole to waterhole. Due to the overpopulation of elephants you'll see a lot of these! It seems the mismanagement of Zimbabwe by the current regime has had a surprisingly limited influence on the park in terms of wildlife. Conclusion: if you're into bush vibe, Hwange National Park is a great destination; not so much so if you're into scenic beauty or wildlife.
Ronel van Zyl
GB
Visited:
November 2003
Reviewed: Apr 24, 2012
Email Ronel van Zyl | 35-50 years of age
Hwange is absolutely beautiful with good roads and accommodation, but giving you that exclusive bush hideaway. We have been sitting at the hides on our own for hours just watching the wildlife. Lots of elephants to be seen. Discovered best places to see them is at the waterholes from the platforms/hides. The heat makes the animals come to drink all through the day. Nyamandhlovu Platform is a prime game viewing area at a pumped water hole. We took excellent photo's here. We stayed in selfcatering lodge at Main Camp and had excellent dinners at the restaurant. Te park covers vast areas and one has to be prepared to take food along each day and lots of water. Fill up with petrol/ gas when you can. Excellent curios /art pieces to buy on the road to Hwange from Victoria Falls.
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
