​User Reviews – Hwange NP

Sort By: Date Most Helpful Rating 41-50 of 55 Reviews
Boris Bals   –  
Netherlands NL
Visited: October 2008 Reviewed: Oct 17, 2011

35-50 years of age

Overall rating
5/5

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!? ;-)

Swenglishnick & Zimgirl   –  
United Kingdom UK
Visited: December 2007 Reviewed: Oct 10, 2011

Email Swenglishnick & Zimgirl  |  35-50 years of age

Enjoying a great park on a budget
Overall rating
4/5

We visited Hwange in December which is a little far into the rainy season to see the most animals. The best time to visit is in September when the water holes are great places to spot the wide range of animals in the park.
We stayed in the rustic National Parks cottages which, even in the middle of shortages that were affecting Zimbabwe, were great places to stay and very cost-effective.
We did not have a 4x4 but found there to be ample routes around the park for a normal 2 wheel drive car. We saw a wide selection of antelope, giraffe, cheetah and zebra. We were sad to miss out on the elephants but they had disappeared off into the bush because of the rains. We also got great views of the Black Rhino at the nearby Hwange Safari Lodge.
When we were not self-driving, we went on some excellent guided drives with extremely knowledgeable local guides.
At that time of year, the birding was excellent and could fill in the periods when the larger game was not visible.

Mr Ush   –  
United Kingdom UK
Visited: July 2007 Reviewed: Oct 7, 2011

35-50 years of age

Overall rating
4/5

the area around Hwange is beautiful

andrew_mc_d Visited: September 2011 Reviewed: Oct 2, 2011

Overall rating
5/5

We didn't bush drive at the best times of the day to spot game so it's a little hard to judge

thepaperchef   –  
Canada CA
Visited: September 2010 Reviewed: Oct 2, 2011

20-35 years of age

Overall rating
5/5

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   –  
United States US
Visited: January 2008 Reviewed: Sep 26, 2011

20-35 years of age

The best safari experience I had in Africa
Overall rating
5/5

While I was volunteering in Africa, myself and several other volunteers took a week-long trip to Zimbabwe to go on outdoor adventures. The game drive in Hwange National Park was my personal favorite.

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 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   –  
United Kingdom UK
Visited: February 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.
Overall rating
5/5

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.

kboaler   –  
Australia AU
Visited: August 2009 Reviewed: Sep 22, 2011

20-35 years of age

Overall rating
4/5

Lots of elephants!

Schroeder   –  
Germany DE
Visited: September 2008 Reviewed: Sep 22, 2011

35-50 years of age

One of the biggest in Africa, good bush experience.
Overall rating
4/5

Plenty of elephants, buffaloes, antelopes. Water pumps were working thanks to private initiative!

Zimfreak Visited: October 2010 Reviewed: Sep 21, 2011

A place to visit as often as possible
Overall rating
5/5

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!

Average User Rating

  • 4.7/5
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star 40
  • 4 star 13
  • 3 star 2
  • 2 star 0
  • 1 star 0
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