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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.
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
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.
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.
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!? ;-)
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
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.
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.
arnorab
GB
Visited:
March 2010
Reviewed: Sep 23, 2011
65+ years of age
The scale is right, the place is delightful, the staff are great, the animals are abundant.
Everything about the Hide in Hwange works well. The rooms are comfortable without being unnecessarily opulent and are right for the location. The travel arrangements ( you are picked up from the Park Entrance) work really well, there is abundant game and a wide choice of excursions and drives. The staff, with whom you eat the exceptionally good food, are extremely knowledgeable and hard working. Its a rare destination and not to be missed.
Zimfreak
Visited:
October 2010
Reviewed: Sep 21, 2011
A place to visit as often as possible
Wildlife - still one of the best in Africa, a huge biodiversity and geological variety, still a good place to be for the self catering enthusiast, some very experienced safari outfits offer various tours by car or on foot, good value for money!