National park · Zimbabwe
Hwange National Park
Enter Hwange National Park for a 2‑day safari: pay the entry fee at the gate, drive to Main Camp (2 h from Victoria Falls), and schedule game drives in the dry season (Aug–Oct) for best wildlife viewing.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
14,651 km² (5,657 sq mi)5,657 sq mi (14,651 km²)
approximate
Established
1961
Best months
Aug–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Zimbabwe ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Zimbabwean government sources; if you will cross to Zambia, ask about the KAZA UniVisa and whether it is available to you.
- Zimbabwe ↗Do not photograph government buildings, police, the military or border posts.
- Zimbabwe ↗Bring enough US dollars in small, clean notes; do not rely on ATMs or foreign cards outside Victoria Falls, Harare and lodges.
- Matabeleland ↗US dollars are used in practice; carry small notes for park fees and fuel.
- Matabeleland ↗Drive on the left; expect potholes and police roadblocks on the A6 and A4.
At a glance
- Country
- Zimbabwe
- Area
- 14,651 km² (5,657 sq mi)5,657 sq mi (14,651 km²)
- Area listed as 14,651 km²; other sources round to about 14,600 km² (check).
- Established
- 1961
- Best months
- Aug–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest protected area, spans arid savannah, artificial waterholes and diverse wildlife including elephants, lions and wild dogs. Established as a game reserve in 1928 and a national park in 1961, it offers game drives, guided walks and night viewing from its main northern camps, while the southern wilderness remains road‑less and requires guides.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1961.
Size and age
14,651 km² (5,657 sq mi)5,657 sq mi (14,651 km²) · national park since 1961
Area listed as 14,651 km²; other sources round to about 14,600 km² (check).
Why go
- Large herds of elephants and predators gather at artificial waterholes.
- Four main camps give access to game drives, walking trails and night viewing.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanWarm days, cold nights; some waterholes dry.
- FebHot, occasional rain.
- MarEnd of hot season, early rains.
- AprRainy season starts, roads may get muddy.
- MayRainy, limited visibility.
- JunStart of dry season, good game viewing.
- JulDry, cooler nights, wildlife around waterholes.
- AugPeak dry season, excellent sightings.
- SepDry, warm days, high wildlife activity.
- OctDry, still good visibility before rains.
- NovRain returns, roads may close.
- DecRainy, hot, limited game viewing.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ElephantsJun–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Lions, leopards, cheetahsJun–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| African wild dogs, brown hyenaJun–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Birds (over 400 species)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main Camp area | Gate, visitor centre, lodges, game‑drive launch points. | Open with entry ticket; 2WD recommended. |
| Sinamatella | Lodges, camping, back‑country trails. | 4WD needed for some tracks. |
| Wilderness south | Picnic sites, remote waterholes, no roads. | Guided only. |
Sketch map
- 1Hwange town · Town≈-18.367, 26.983Nearest town, approx. 30 km (19 mi) north of the park gate.Nearest town, approx. 19 mi (30 km) north of the park gate.Map ↗
- 2Main Camp gate · Gate≈-18.735, 26.955Entry point and visitor centre.Map ↗
- 3Big Toms hide · Viewpoint≈-18.720, 26.970Map ↗
- 4Little Toms hide · Viewpoint≈-18.725, 26.965Map ↗
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points; use park maps for precise navigation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (gate) | ZWL 5,000–8,000 | person | 2026 estimate; confirm at gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Hunting
- Strictly prohibited; heavy fines.
- Off‑road driving
- Only on marked roads; 4WD required for many tracks.
- Camping
- Allowed only in designated campsites; no open‑ground camping.
- Firearms
- Not allowed for tourists.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
Where to stay
In the park
Main Camp lodges
Self‑catering chalets, restaurant, fuel station.
In the park
Sinamatella lodges
Lodges and camping sites.
Near the park
Backcountry camps (e.g., Bumbusi)
Exclusive group lodges, no electricity, 4WD access.
Safety
Road quality medium
Heat and dehydration medium
Poaching incidents low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main Camp reachable by 2WD; most hides and lodges need high clearance.
- Walking trails are moderate length; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Support lodges that employ local staff and buy food locally.
- Avoid souvenir items made from wildlife parts.
- Use designated water points to reduce impact on natural pans.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Hwange National Park?
Entry is around ZWL 5,000–8,000 per adult (2026 estimate); purchase the ticket at the main gate.
What are the best hikes in Hwange National Park?
Visit the Big Toms and Little Toms hides for short drives, and join an escorted walk from Main Camp (2–3 h) for a guided trail experience.
When is the best time to visit Hwange National Park?
The dry season (June – October) offers the clearest wildlife viewing, with August–September being peak.
Do I need a 4WD vehicle?
A 2WD can reach Main Camp, but many roads and backcountry sites require a high‑clearance 4WD, especially in the rainy season.
Are night drives allowed?
Moonlight game viewing is offered from Main Camp on clear nights; check availability with your lodge.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go