Zimbabwe · game reserve since 1928
Hwange, where the waterholes make the park
Zimbabwe's largest park has no rivers at all. Every elephant, lion and buffalo here depends on pumped waterholes, and from August to October that turns Hwange into one of the densest wildlife spectacles in Africa. Three hours from Victoria Falls.
Photo: Faypearse (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Start here
Everything you need to plan a visit
Entry fees
The 2026 ZimParks rates, including the split that halves your fee if you sleep inside the park.
See the fees →Lodges & camps
From $23 camping pitches and sleep-out platforms to the fly-in camps on the private concessions.
Browse lodges →Getting there
Three hours from Victoria Falls on tar, a charter flight, or the weekly overnight train.
Plan the route →Wildlife
One of Africa's biggest elephant populations, a major wild dog stronghold and the lions of the Cecil research area.
What you'll see →Best time to visit
Why August to October beats everything else here, and what the green season offers instead.
Pick your month →Things to do
Waterhole hides, sleep-out platforms above the pans, walking safaris and where night drives are actually allowed.
See activities →