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Per PersonHwange National Park is one of Africa’s great wildlife sanctuaries, and this full-day trip from Victoria Falls puts you right in the middle of it. You’ll spend 7 hours on safari, two game drives through open savanna grasslands, with lunch served in the park, and close-up encounters with some of the most impressive wildlife on the continent. Hwange is Zimbabwe’s largest national park at 14,600 km², and home to the world’s largest elephant population. If you’re based in Victoria Falls and want to see wild Zimbabwe beyond the falls, this is the trip to take.
What You’ll See on the Game Drive
Hwange is famous for wildlife density. The park’s man-made waterholes, pumped year-round even in the dry season, act like magnets, drawing animals in from across the park. On your two game drives you can expect to see:
| Animal | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| African Elephant | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Almost certain |
| Giraffe | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Almost certain |
| Zebra | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Almost certain |
| Impala & Kudu | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Almost certain |
| Buffalo | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very likely |
| Warthog | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very likely |
| Lion | ⭐⭐⭐ Commonly sighted |
| Hyena | ⭐⭐⭐ Commonly sighted |
| Wild Dog | ⭐⭐ Lucky sighting |
| Cheetah | ⭐⭐ Lucky sighting |
| Sable Antelope | ⭐⭐⭐ Commonly sighted |
Hwange is home to 4 of the Big 5, elephant, lion, leopard, and buffalo. Rhino are not present in the park. For birdwatchers, over 400 species have been recorded here, including the Kori Bustard, African Fish Eagle, and Lappet-faced Vulture.
Your Day at a Glance
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 05:30 | Hotel pickup in Victoria Falls |
| 05:30–08:30 | Scenic drive to Hwange (160km, approx. 2hrs) |
| 08:30–09:00 | Park entry & check-in at Main Camp |
| 09:00–12:30 | Morning game drive in open safari vehicle |
| 12:30–13:30 | lunch at picnic site inside the park |
| 13:30–16:00 | Afternoon game drive, waterhole viewing |
| 16:30 | Depart Hwange for Victoria Falls |
| 16:30–19:30 | Return to your hotel |
Total duration: approximately 13 hours.
Best Time to Visit Hwange on a Day Trip
The park is worth visiting any time of year, but the experience changes dramatically by season.
Dry Season: May–October (Recommended)
This is peak wildlife viewing. As water sources dry up across the park, animals concentrate around the pumped waterholes, sometimes in their hundreds. September and October bring the most dramatic scenes: elephant herds of 200+ gathering at sunset, predators following the herds, and birds migrating in. Temperatures can reach 35°C, so dress light and bring sun protection.
Green Season: November–April
The bush transforms into lush, thick greenery after the rains, which is genuinely beautiful, but also makes wildlife harder to spot. The upside: newborn animals, excellent birding, and far fewer visitors. Expect occasional afternoon rain showers.
Our recommendation: If wildlife viewing is the priority, visit May–October. If you want Hwange with fewer crowds and don’t mind a bit of rain, November to January is surprisingly rewarding.
Pricing
| Guest Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults (12 years and above) | $290 per person |
| Children (5–11 years) | $160 per person |
Included and Excluded
- Return transfers from your hotel in Victoria Falls
- Morning and afternoon game drives in open safari vehicle
- Professional driver-guide throughout
- Lunch at scenic point/waterhole inside the park
- Bottled water
- National Park entry fees ($24/person, payable at the entry gate)
- Tips for your guide (appreciated but not required)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Itinerary
Location Map
Frequently Asked & Question
Hwange is approximately 160 km from Victoria Falls, about a 2-hour drive. Your guide will collect you from your hotel at 6:00am for the drive through Zimbabwe's western wildlife corridor. The journey itself is scenic and a great warm-up for the day.
Yes, children from 5 years old are welcome on this tour. Children 5–12 years pay $100. We recommend ages 6+ for the best experience, as game drives involve long periods of quiet observation.
Wear neutral colours (khaki, olive, beige), bright colours can startle animals and aren't practical on safari. Bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes, and a good camera with a zoom lens. Binoculars are a bonus.
Hwange National Park is inside Zimbabwe, so no additional visa is needed beyond your Zimbabwe entry visa. Most nationalities receive a visa on arrival at Victoria Falls airport or border.
We can't guarantee specific sightings, this is wild Africa after all, but elephants, giraffe, zebra, and impala are seen on virtually every game drive. Lion sightings are common, especially at waterholes in the afternoon. Your guide will do everything possible to maximise your wildlife encounters.
Yes, lunch at a picnic site inside the park is included. Bottled water is provided throughout the day. The lodge has excellent facilities and beautiful views over the surrounding bush.
Absolutely, we recommend booking the helicopter flight on a different day to fully enjoy both experiences. Alternatively, book it the morning before your 6am Hwange pickup. Contact us and we'll help you plan your Victoria Falls itinerary.
We've been operating tours in Zimbabwe and Botswana since 2019, and our guides have decades of combined experience in Hwange National Park. Our guests have rated us 4.5 stars across 84 TripAdvisor reviews, here's what a few of them said:
"Incredible experience! Our Guide was Willie and we saw an amazing array of wildlife. Most impressively we saw a Leopard!", Firefly78, TripAdvisor
"Outstanding. Amazing safari with amazing staff. Philip and Bothwell have gone above and beyond.", Gerard V, TripAdvisor
Book online or contact us directly at info@maxadventuretrails.com, we're happy to help plan your perfect Victoria Falls safari itinerary.
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