It covers more than 14600 km (5863 miles), or 1,460,000 ha. There are more animals and more species than any other park in the nation, with more than 400 bird species.
It’s located in the southwest of Zimbabwe, between Bulawayo & Victoria Falls.
Two distinct geographical zones exist, but neither can support viable agriculture. The well-drained northern region of the Zambezi Watershed is home to mopane and mixed terminia. It is quite different from the rest.
The Kalahari scrublands are covered in umtshibi and teak trees scattered in scattered, stunted forests. They drain into Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Depression. This habitat is characterized by shallow soils, marshy depressions, and fragile open grasslands.
This land was the royal hunting preserve of Mzilikazi, his successor Lobengula, in the nineteenth century. The arrival of white settlers and hunters marked the end of this land’s wildlife. Their blood washed into the soil and left an empty, degraded, and unfit for farming land.
It was made a game reserve in 1928. In 1949, it became a national park with the neighboring Robins Game sanctuary. Robins Game Sanctuary belonged originally to H G Robins. Robins was a cattle rancher.
Hwange Climate
Winter Months: Mid May, June and July. Early August. Although the day is warm with blue skies, it can get very cold at night. Temperatures below freezing are not unusual. It will be cold. The summer months are September to May. Warm evenings and hot days.
Rainy season – Generally, between late November to April. However, the occasional drizzle can happen outside of these dates.
The Best Months to View Game
August, September and October are the best months to view wildlife in the park. The animals gather around the few waterholes that are pumped, as water becomes scarce. You will be rewarded with excellent game viewing if you sit patiently and calmly at these waterholes.
A completely different park is created during the rainy season, which runs from late November through April. The dry savannahs become lush fields that offer plenty of grazing. Game viewing becomes difficult as the animals move on. This is the green season, and it has its own magic. It is when all animals and the park rejuvenate themselves and eat like crazy due to the abundant food. You can see new born animals everywhere, and the birdlife is abundant.
Wildlife in Hwange
Hwange is Zimbabwe’s most famous national park. This vast wildlife reserve covers 15 000km2 and is home to a large number of big games. It is also known for its huge herds of elephants and buffalo. Hwange’s 30000-strong elephant population, which is located in neighboring Botswana, is second in the world to the Chobe National Park.
Hwange National Park is not only home to elephants. The reserve’s Big 5 Big 5 members have a reputation for spotting predators. Night drives show the small nocturnal predators, serval and cuvet cats, as well as bat-eared and foxes, which are frequently seen in Hwange National Park. There are also rarer animals like the endangered black rhino, African wild dog and beautiful roan and silver antelopes. Hwange is an important breeding area for these species.
Hwange is located at the Kalahari Desert’s edge. It has a semi-arid climate and marked seasonal changes. The dry winter months of May to October are when wildlife congregates around shallow pans and manmade waterholes, making it an excellent place for reliable game viewing. The vegetation comes alive once the rain comes, and the dry pans are full. Wildlife then moves on to more remote areas of the park, where there is plenty of water. This is a great time to watch birds.
Hwange, which is easy to reach and has decent infrastructure, is a popular option for a Zimbabwe safari. It can be combined with a holiday at nearby Victoria Falls or Zimbabwe’s top reserve, the wild and rewarding Mana Pools National Park along the Zambezi River. You can also spend a few days at Hwange before moving on to Botswana’s world-famous reserves.
For more information on a Hwange safari, chat to one of our Africa Safari Experts. They are experts in all options and combinations and can help you create an unforgettable holiday with top-quality accommodation and seamless logistics.
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