{"id":16205,"date":"2025-06-04T12:17:05","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T11:17:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/explorersagainstextinction.co.uk\/blog\/?p=16205"},"modified":"2025-12-29T10:10:49","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T10:10:49","slug":"guide-to-hwange-national-park-zimbabwes-big-game-frontier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/explorersagainstextinction.co.uk\/blog\/guide-to-hwange-national-park-zimbabwes-big-game-frontier\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to Hwange National Park: Zimbabwe\u2019s Big Game Frontier"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe\u2019s largest and best-known wildlife reserve\u2014a vast mosaic of open plains, woodlands, and seasonal pans teeming with elephants, lions, and other iconic species in the country\u2019s north-west corner. Bordering Botswana and part of the greater Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area<\/strong>, Hwange is an essential stop on any Southern Africa safari.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Hwange Matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Covering over 14,600 square kilometres<\/strong>, Hwange is home to one of the largest elephant populations in Africa\u2014estimated at over 40,000 individuals<\/strong> at certain times of year. Sightings can be spectacular. I have never seen so many elephants in and around camp as when I was staying in Hwange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once a royal hunting ground, Hwange was declared a national park in 1928 and has since become a stronghold for species like lion, African wild dog, and both roan and sable antelope\u2014Zimbabwe\u2019s national animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hwange is also a conservation success story in progress. Thanks to the efforts of rangers, communities, and conservation NGOs\u2014through initiatives like long-term waterhole management and anti-poaching patrols\u2014wildlife populations are rebounding in areas that were once under pressure. We\u2019ve supported these efforts, including a partnership with Painted Dog Conservation<\/strong> to help remove snares from the buffer zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rhino, absent from Hwange for decades, have recently been reintroduced to protected areas on its periphery through the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative<\/strong>. This collaboration between Imvelo Safari Lodges<\/strong>, local communities, and conservation partners has brought white rhino back to Hwange: Thuza<\/strong> and Kusasa<\/strong> now roam the Ngamo Sanctuary<\/strong> near Camelthorn Lodge, while Mlevu<\/strong> and Asenze<\/strong> have been introduced to the newly established Mlevu Sanctuary<\/strong>. Both sanctuaries sit on the edge of Hwange National Park in the Ngamo Forest buffer zone<\/strong>\u2014a powerful example of conservation and community working hand in hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Image: with thanks to our clients the Harwoods who visited the rhino sanctuary last year.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Layout: Pans, Plains, and Predators<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hwange\u2019s ecosystem is varied. The north and west<\/strong> tend to be more wooded and remote, while the south and central<\/strong> sectors feature open grasslands and ancient fossil riverbeds\u2014known locally as vleis<\/strong> and pans<\/strong>\u2014which attract large concentrations of game during the dry season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The park\u2019s core is managed by ZimParks<\/strong>, with key access points and large-scale commercial facilities located at:<\/p>\n\n\n\n