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Elephants In Hwange Istock 144285087 Credit Ecopic
Elephants In Hwange Istock 144285087 Credit Ecopic
A Journeysmiths Travel Story: Zimbabwe

5 Reasons Why Hwange Is Not to Be Missed

Hwange is vast—so sprawling that it rivals the size of Wales in the UK. Its immense scale allows you to explore a diverse mosaic of habitats, from the dense woodlands of the north to the semi-arid terrain of the south, each supporting a remarkable variety of wildlife. Lucy from the team explains why Hwange is an unmissable safari destination. Hwange is vast—so sprawling that it rivals the size of Wales in the UK. Its immense scale allows you to explore a diverse mosaic of habitats, from the dense woodlands of the north to the semi-arid terrain of the south, each supporting a remarkable variety of wildlife. Lucy from the team explains why Hwange is an unmissable safari destination.
Hwange is vast—so sprawling that it rivals the size of Wales in the UK. Its immense scale allows you to explore a diverse mosaic of habitats, from the dense woodlands of the north to the semi-arid terrain of the south, each supporting a remarkable variety of wildlife. Lucy from the team explains why Hwange is an unmissable safari destination. Hwange is vast—so sprawling that it rivals the size of Wales in the UK. Its immense scale allows you to explore a diverse mosaic of habitats, from the dense woodlands of the north to the semi-arid terrain of the south, each supporting a remarkable variety of wildlife. Lucy from the team explains why Hwange is an unmissable safari destination.
Tales From The Field
Though Hwange is famous for its impressive 300-strong elephant herds, there's so much more to discover here. It’s a haven for Africa’s largest population of wild dogs, home to thriving lion prides, and offers the chance to spot the elusive leopard.
With large buffalo herds often gathering at the waterholes and a groundbreaking rhino conservation initiative, there’s a high chance you will see all of Africa’s Big 5.

Over the course of two weeks, Lucy from our team immersed herself in all that Hwange National Park has to offer. In this blog, she reveals why every trip to Zimbabwe should include time spent in this diverse, protected wilderness.
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1. World-famous Elephant Viewing
Thanks to the conservation efforts of the park’s first head ranger in the 1920s, waterholes were built to sustain elephants during the long dry season, transforming Hwange into a safe haven for these magnificent creatures.

Today, over 50,000 elephants roam Hwange National Park, drawn to the 60 waterholes that are pumped by the community during the harsh dry period, making it one of the best places to encounter elephants in Africa.
Lucy's Experience - Captivated by Elephant Sightings

After catching my first glimpse of a big tusker and knowing that Hwange National Park is renowned for its incredible elephant sightings, I turned to my safari guide and asked ‘will I become a bit blasé about seeing elephants by the end of the trip?’ Reflecting on this comment, I can certainly say I could never tire of watching these magnificent giants, especially with Hwange offering such incredible diversity in the ways we encounter them.

Under expert guidance, I was brought ever closer to these graceful creatures. Each day offered deeper insights into their fascinating family dynamics, as I learnt how to read their body language whilst developing an astute understanding of how the community and the elephant population live an intertwined existence.

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Lucy’s Top 5 Elephant Encounters
  • Lazy lunches under Zambezi teak trees, overlooking a waterhole, always perfectly timed to witness the awe-inspiring sight of hundreds of elephants making their journey from all directions to drink. It was a true spectacle of nature unfolding right before our eyes.

  • Mountain biking through the desert-like terrain of southern Hwange was a thrilling adventure. Cycling near the elephants, I paused to take in my surroundings and learn about the diverse flora from Imvelo’s expert guide. The intimacy of the experience, set against such rugged beauty, was unforgettable.
  • Sundowners in sunken hides were awe inspiring, watching the hustle and bustle unfold as the elephant took turns to drink the fresh water - I was so close I could smell them and managed to get a smattering of mud!

  • Nehimba Lodge brought me even closer to these gentle giants. Whether it was taking open-air showers with a view of elephants or dining under the African skies as they congregated by the nearby waterhole, the experience was surreal. How many people can say they’ve shared a glass of Chablis with a majestic tusker just a stone’s throw away?

  • One of the highlights was joining a ‘pump run’ to service the water pumps, a lifeline for the elephants during dry seasons. It was a humbling reminder of the delicate balance between conservation efforts and the survival of these magnificent creatures.
2. Explore a Remote Wilderness with Africa’s Best Guides
Hwange is not only the largest national park in Zimbabwe, with vast stretches of untouched wilderness, but it also boasts a low density of lodges, ensuring that your safari has the luxury of exclusivity. In contrast to Kenya's Masai Mara, which spans 1,000 square miles and contains 200 lodges, Hwange covers an impressive 5,000 square miles with just 20 operating lodges.

Hwange’s safari guides are renowned as some of the best in Africa, undergoing seven years of training to master their craft. Their knowledge of the park and the wildlife it supports is unparalleled. Despite the sprawling wilderness, your safari guide will ensure you’re in the right place when the action unfolds – all while enjoying the luxury of having the wilderness to yourself.
Lucy's Experience - The Privilege of Solitude in Nature

I experienced Imvelo’s safari lodges across Hwange National Park, with each destination offering diverse wildlife encounters amid constantly shifting landscapes. Jozibanini Tented Camp, situated in a remote outpost in the park’s southern region, stands at 50km from the nearest lodge, ensuring complete solitude. Stilted tented accommodation and warm bucket showers were a welcome connection to the ‘original safari experience’, but having the exclusivity of the surrounding wilderness was a true luxury.

I had the chance to experience activities unique to the area, such as mountain biking and walking safaris, but what I'll never forget is sitting around the boma, listening to elephants trumpet and splash in the nearby waterhole under the cover of darkness.

I was guided by Mark Butcher, the founder of Imvelo, expert safari guide, and trailblazer in conservation. Described by many as an MD who prefers the wild over the office, Mark’s passion for the bush is undeniable. His wildlife career began in 1979 as a ranger and there is little he doesn’t know about his beloved Hwange and the wildlife it supports. He is an expert storyteller— narratives and insights were shared on unassuming anthills and scattered animal skeletons and backstories on lion prides and their various characters brought sightings to life. This level of guiding is common practice in Zimbabwe and one of the many reasons I’m hoping to return!

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3. See Trailblazing Rhino Conservation in Action
Southern Hwange saw the last white rhino in the early 2000s, following a period of intense poaching. However, in recent years, the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative (CRCI) has made remarkable strides in reintroducing rhinos to the area. This initiative focuses on communal land, aiming to benefit local communities through employment, education, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, and direct revenue.

In 2022, CRCI made history by releasing two rhinos onto community-owned land adjacent to the park. In September 2024, two more rhinos were successfully released into the second sanctuary at Mlevu, with plans for a third sanctuary underway. Ultimately, a larger protected area will merge these community sanctuaries with National Park land, creating a buffer zone to reduce human-wildlife conflicts and support a viable population of free-roaming white and black rhinos, along with other wildlife, benefiting local communities.
Lucy's Experience - Walking with the Giants

During my stay at Camelthorn Lodge, which is located within the first rhino sanctuary, I spent time at the CRCI headquarters, learning about the importance of CRCI. I met with the Cobras Community Wildlife Protection Scouts, who, following an intense training programme with the head guard and ex-SAS officer, work to guard the rhino 24/7.

After two years of constant companionship with the Cobras, the rhinos have become very comfortable with humans, and as a result, you’re able to walk within close proximity of the wild rhino. Being close to these prehistoric creatures in such a calm environment was a ‘pinch me moment’ and one that is a must for anyone spending time in Hwange.

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Community
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4. Community is Everything
Hwange National Park has long understood that community involvement is crucial to its long-term preservation.

Over the decades, safari lodges like Imvelo have been instrumental in empowering local communities, providing them with the tools and resources to take an active role in the stewardship and ownership of their park.

Mark Butcher, MD of Imvelo
‘Part of the ethos of Imvelo is to not only hire Zimbabweans, but to hire locally from within walking distance of the lodges. I have countless examples of local families, many of which I’ve known for generations, learning their craft with us and working their way up the ranks and becoming role models for young children - something I'm immensely proud of.’
Lucy's Experience - Connections that Leave Lasting Impressions

Whilst many of Hwange’s wildlife encounters were once-in-a-lifetime moments, it’s the connections made with its people that have made a lasting impression on me. From meeting local school children as they jump onto the safari jeep full of enthusiasm (and songs!) as they journey to school, learning how to make local bread with the chefs at Nehimba, to talking with the team at the medical centre in the Ngamo village.

I didn’t need to spend much time with Imvelo’s Mark Butcher to realise how everything he’s involved in has the community in mind - every safari he was armed with cool cans of pepsi for those working to maintain the waterholes, there was genuine joy in picking up school children in the jeep to ease their 5km walk to the classroom (of which, Imvelo had built) and it was clear to see there was enormous pride in ensuring that the community had ownership of the rhino that were introduced onto community-owned land. They are ‘the community’s rhino’.

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5. Hop on the Elephant Express
The Elephant Express offers a truly unique experience in Hwange National Park. Ingeniously developed by Imvelo Safari Lodge, this railcar runs along the historic railway line, transporting guests from Dete station to a stop that is just a short distance from Bomani Tented Camp.

The journey takes just 3 hours and during your time onboard, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch and refreshments as you search of Hwange's incredible wildlife.
Lucy's Experience - The Best Way to Start a Safari!

Following a short stay experiencing the splendour of Victoria Falls, we made our way down to Dete to catch the afternoon Elephant Express.

Sipping a gin and tonic as we smoothly travelled across Hwange in the open-air railcar was an incredible introduction to the trip. As it’s operated by Imvelo, we had the freedom to slow down for a closer look at passing baboons and elephants. A highlight was getting the chance to drive the railcar—an unforgettable experience!

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Where Lucy Stayed
Sunset Exterior Of Tent Jozibanini Tented Camp Imvelo Safari Lodges Hwange
Sunset Exterior Of Tent Jozibanini Tented Camp Imvelo Safari Lodges Hwange
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Jozibanini Tented Camp

Jozibanini Tented Camp in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, offers an immersion in the remote African bush for its intrepid guests. The location may be unspoilt, but you don’t have to be because there’s plenty of comfort in the rustic raised tents and great food to complement a true safari experience.

Read moreJozibanini Tented Camp
Elephant At The Lodge Waterhole
Elephant At The Lodge Waterhole
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Nehimba Lodge

For unforgettably close encounters with massed-ranks of elephants, Nehimba is unsurpassed. In the dry season, they are drawn in their hundreds to the waterhole at the centre of the lodge and have even claimed ownership of the swimming pool.

Read moreNehimba Lodge
5 Imvelo Safari Lodges Bomani Tented Lodge Main Lodge
5 Imvelo Safari Lodges Bomani Tented Lodge Main Lodge
Hwange, Zimbabwe
Bomani Tented Lodge

Within a private reserve adjacent to a quiet area of spectacular Hwange, known for its enormous elephant population, Bomani is a luxurious tented experience. Moreover, it is fun, diverse, and it is genuinely part of the local community.

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Imvelo Safari Lodges Camelthorn At Stoffies Pan 1 Of 1 2
Imvelo Safari Lodges Camelthorn At Stoffies Pan 1 Of 1 2
Hwange, Zimbabwe
Camelthorn Lodge

Luxurious and exclusive, Camelthorn Lodge’s great appeal is the comfort provided by its small collection of permanent villas, each with an elevated game-viewing balcony. The thatched main building surrounding an enormous tree is a stylish hub from which to start your adventures.

Read moreCamelthorn Lodge
Elephant In Mana Zimbabwe Istock 600395358 Credit Jez Bennett
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