Hwange National Park

Hwange National Park, named after a local Nhanzwa chief covers an area of approximately 14,600 sq km almost the size of Belgium.

The majestic African Elephant is a recurring image in Hwange and according to the 2006 game count the numbers are increasing. Large as the National Park may be, there is a limit to the number the fragile ecosystem is able to support. An adult bull elephant can eat between 175 and 230kg of food each day.

In addition we have had reports that Hwange is teeming with other game; carnivores, herbivores, nocturnals and diurnals including the big five, are all there. The NGO Wildlife and Environment Zimbabwe is conducting a game count over the weekend 12th - 15th September 2008. Zimsight will be able to give up-to-date numbers when the results of the count are available.

The vast extent of Hwange covers a variety of rainfall and temperatuire patterns offering a marvellously diverse ecosystem. Approximaely 1,000 different types of trees and shrubs grow there. Zimbabwe Teak, Bloodwood, Mopane and Acacia are some of the beautiful indigenous hardwood trees. Further south open grasslands and wetlands, give way to the Kalahari desert. The divesity in turn provides habitat for nearly 400 bird species.

The Department of National Parks has three large camps; Main Camp, Sinamatella and Robins.

Accommodation at Main Camp is self-catering, serviced lodges and chalets, as well as caravan and camping facilities. Lodges are self-contained, while chalets have shared ablutions. Access is on 16km of tar road after turning off the main Bulawayo/Victoria Falls road.

Sinamatella is poised on a plateau offering a stupendous view of Sinamatella Valley below. Accommodation is in self-catering, serviced lodges and chalets. Access from the main Victoria Falls road is on rough gravel, and access from Main Camp through the Park is narrow tar. Allow a morning to reach one from the other using this road. Travel between the two is not allowed after 14.00hrs. The two dams close to Sinamatella, Masuma and Deteema have strategically placed hides allowing visitors to view animals coming to drink.

Robins near the western boundary. The surrounding area was bequeathed to government by a local farmer, Harold Robins in 1939. The camp offers lodge, chalet and camp-site accommodation. Situated approximately 140km from Main Camp makes it necessary for visitors travelling between Robins to Main Camp to leave before 12.00hrs.

Little Toms and Big Toms are hides near Robins Camp providing excellent game viewing.

Smaller, exclusive camps are Nantwich, Deka, Bumbusi and Lukosi.

Reservations and enquiries may be directed to National Parks Central Booking Office, Sandringham Road, Alexandra Park, Harare. Tel. +263 4 706077/8 or +263 4 707624. Fax +263 4 726089 e-mail: reservations@zimparks.co.zw or visit their website on www.zimparks.com

No hitch-hikers are allowed in the park.

Climate
Being partly desert and at a low altitude there are extremes of temperatre. Summer days can be searingly hot and call for the coolest garments possible. Evening temperatures drop to being pleasantly cool. It would be advisable to have a long sleeved shirt and long trousers for evening to guard against mosquitoes. Winter days are comfortably warm, but early mornings and evenings are cold when substantially warm garments would be needed particularly if you are planning early morning game drives. A good shade hat, sun screen cream and sun glasses are a must.