Reviews of safaris to Hwange National Park
We have always listened to our travellers, and now you can learn from them also. Below are links to feedback from recent trips - these are their views, not ours! See what they think of us, and about our trips to Africa:
Travel Photoman
USA
"My Jun 2024 trip"
I visited Zimbabwe and 2 other countries between 21 Jun 2024 and 4 Jul 2024
"Lucy was a great resource and very helpful in providing detailed information on the different parks and areas. We had a couple of zoom session and we worked together on setting up an itinerary.
Excellent trip from start to finish. Everything went like clockwork with no issues. We had our best sightings on this trip and managed to see wild dogs which was a lot of fun.
Very happy with the experience." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zimbabwe safari
Excellent trip from start to finish. Everything went like clockwork with no issues. We had our best sightings on this trip and managed to see wild dogs which was a lot of fun.
Very happy with the experience." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Dr S.
USA
"My Jun 2024 trip"
I visited Zimbabwe and 4 other countries between 8 Jun 2024 and 29 Jun 2024
"Overall the trip was great and very organized. Maruska was great to deal with, really listened to us and gave good suggestions. I liked the itinerary she sent us shortly before we left that gave lots of details about exactly what was happening. There were a few glitches during the trip (canceled flight, driver showed up late) and we had to reach out to Expert Africa on an emergency basis and they were very responsive.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I would not return to the lodges that we stayed in in Zimbabwe, we didn't have a great experience there. There was a mix up with Khulu Bush Camp and our departure time was moved back and we were never told, that ended up being a very long day and we would have preferred to fly. Two of our travel days were very long and we never got to eat lunch, it was not clear from the itinerary how long they would be. Our Mack Air flights ended up having multiple stops that we weren't aware of, it would have been nice to have more information about those flights." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zimbabwe safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I would not return to the lodges that we stayed in in Zimbabwe, we didn't have a great experience there. There was a mix up with Khulu Bush Camp and our departure time was moved back and we were never told, that ended up being a very long day and we would have preferred to fly. Two of our travel days were very long and we never got to eat lunch, it was not clear from the itinerary how long they would be. Our Mack Air flights ended up having multiple stops that we weren't aware of, it would have been nice to have more information about those flights." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Luca
Milano
"My Jun 2024 trip"
I visited Zimbabwe between 3 Jun 2024 and 9 Jun 2024
"The trip as a whole was fantastic, we had a good time in all the locations proposed and the travel was also well organised.
We did not encounter any difficulties before or during the trip, the information that was provided to us in advance was very useful.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We felt that what makes the experience really memorable are the guides working at camps.
Don't know if it's possible to have more details on this somewhere (could be also just the name/surname?)" Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zimbabwe safari
We did not encounter any difficulties before or during the trip, the information that was provided to us in advance was very useful.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We felt that what makes the experience really memorable are the guides working at camps.
Don't know if it's possible to have more details on this somewhere (could be also just the name/surname?)" Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms H & Mr F
Chicago
"My May 2024 trip"
I visited Zimbabwe and 1 other country between 19 May 2024 and 31 May 2024
"Claire Scott helped us with this trip to Zimbabwe/South Africa. (She had previously organized a trip to Zambia/Malawi in 2015.)
Everyone in our group of 8 commented on how flawlessly and seamlessly this trip went, thanks to Claire!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zimbabwe safari
Everyone in our group of 8 commented on how flawlessly and seamlessly this trip went, thanks to Claire!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Ms B
Florida, US
"Our seventh trip to Africa"
I visited Zimbabwe and 1 other country between 27 Apr 2024 and 25 May 2024
"This was our seventh trip to Africa since 2016, which we decided to split between Zimbabwe and Botswana. Some of our friends have asked us whether we haven’t seen enough of Africa by now. I’m fully aware of the fact that there are countries in Africa that aren’t safe and better avoided, but our answer would be: no, we haven’t. As strange as it may sound, visiting Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Zambia and Kenya has always felt to us like coming home. And this is due not just to the charismatic megafauna that can be experienced here, but to the people living here. In our seven trips we have spent more than half a year in Africa, and we have only experienced a healthy curiosity, kindness and open-mindedness.
That said, as outlined above in the detailed comments on individual camps, this trip wasn’t short on highlights in terms of wildlife sightings, but I would like to add a few general remarks.
Shortly before our trip, President Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe declared a national desaster because of the drought experienced in the previous rainy season. Considering that Zimbabwe has a government with a questionable reputation and a poor economy, we were a bit apprehensive about coming here. But our worries were unfounded. Granted, en route to our first camp, we drove through villages with hundreds of people gathering around big bags of cornmeal donated by the UN. We were told that if this country would be run by a decent and effective government, this desperate step wouldn’t have been necessary.
Given these rather bleak economic circumstances it is all the more astounding that whoever we met along the way was kind-hearted and of good spirits.
Shortly before our trip, Botswana’s president Masisi jokingly threatened to send 10,000 elephants to London’s Hyde Park and 20,000 elephants to Germany, because allegedly, they have too many of them. Without question, there is evidence for human-elephant conflict, but I doubt whether the solution is to allow trophy hunting (Botswana re-introduced trophy hunting in 2019 after a five-year ban).
When I raised this subject in Zimbabwe, everybody had an opinion on this controversial topic, whereas in Botswana, they would rather not talk about it.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I have nothing but praise for all the freely given advice before the trip and the organization of the trips themselves." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zimbabwe safari
That said, as outlined above in the detailed comments on individual camps, this trip wasn’t short on highlights in terms of wildlife sightings, but I would like to add a few general remarks.
Shortly before our trip, President Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe declared a national desaster because of the drought experienced in the previous rainy season. Considering that Zimbabwe has a government with a questionable reputation and a poor economy, we were a bit apprehensive about coming here. But our worries were unfounded. Granted, en route to our first camp, we drove through villages with hundreds of people gathering around big bags of cornmeal donated by the UN. We were told that if this country would be run by a decent and effective government, this desperate step wouldn’t have been necessary.
Given these rather bleak economic circumstances it is all the more astounding that whoever we met along the way was kind-hearted and of good spirits.
Shortly before our trip, Botswana’s president Masisi jokingly threatened to send 10,000 elephants to London’s Hyde Park and 20,000 elephants to Germany, because allegedly, they have too many of them. Without question, there is evidence for human-elephant conflict, but I doubt whether the solution is to allow trophy hunting (Botswana re-introduced trophy hunting in 2019 after a five-year ban).
When I raised this subject in Zimbabwe, everybody had an opinion on this controversial topic, whereas in Botswana, they would rather not talk about it.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I have nothing but praise for all the freely given advice before the trip and the organization of the trips themselves." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
P.C
Redlands, Calif
"My Apr 2024 trip"
I visited Zimbabwe between 10 Apr 2024 and 19 Apr 2024
"We didn’t have to confirm or check on any arrangements — Expert Africa saw to everything and the coordination between the lodges and air flights was seamless.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Nothing I can think of." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Nothing I can think of." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms C.
Redlands
"Shy animals, still loved it."
I visited Zimbabwe between 10 Apr 2024 and 19 Apr 2024
"I have to admit that the wildlife was not overwhelming--I knew the rainy season would have an effect, but I think we were also just unlucky.
I'm sure in the dry season the Hwange camps in particular, with their waterfalls, would offer outstanding experiences. That said, the landscape was lovely--despite the drought, there had been recent rains in Hwange to green up the plains (and also create standing water) and there were several highlights to remember--the group of sable (an antelope I had never seen), the jackals and dozens of vultures diving into the bushes where the remains of a buffalo lay, then exploding outward as someone took fright--the highly vocal lion cubs yowling and yowling--the staredown between a giraffe and lion. . .
I particularly enjoyed the vast open spaces of Hwange and the frequent sense of being alone in the landscape (i.e. no other vehicles around)." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
I'm sure in the dry season the Hwange camps in particular, with their waterfalls, would offer outstanding experiences. That said, the landscape was lovely--despite the drought, there had been recent rains in Hwange to green up the plains (and also create standing water) and there were several highlights to remember--the group of sable (an antelope I had never seen), the jackals and dozens of vultures diving into the bushes where the remains of a buffalo lay, then exploding outward as someone took fright--the highly vocal lion cubs yowling and yowling--the staredown between a giraffe and lion. . .
I particularly enjoyed the vast open spaces of Hwange and the frequent sense of being alone in the landscape (i.e. no other vehicles around)." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Good
Mark
Switzerland
"My Jan 2024 trip"
I visited Zimbabwe and 1 other country between 2 Jan 2024 and 13 Jan 2024
"Great apart from upset stomach for a couple - should have sent the egg Bach to have it cooked more.
Beautiful birds and knowledgeable guides at 2 lodges in particular
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Please provide clearer guidelines on tipping." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
Beautiful birds and knowledgeable guides at 2 lodges in particular
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Please provide clearer guidelines on tipping." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr A.
Ongar
"My Nov 2023 trip"
I visited Zimbabwe and 1 other country between 7 Nov 2023 and 19 Nov 2023
"I think my earlier comments [Ed: in the individual camp reviews] have captured the mood of our trip.
It was the most memorable time and the organisation from Expert Africa was super.
All connections were seamless with cars to meet planes, planes to meet helicopters and planes to meet planes.
The camps we stayed in were both wonderful and the trip more than matched our expectations" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zimbabwe safari
It was the most memorable time and the organisation from Expert Africa was super.
All connections were seamless with cars to meet planes, planes to meet helicopters and planes to meet planes.
The camps we stayed in were both wonderful and the trip more than matched our expectations" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs H
Lincs
"Zimbabwe 5 - 15 Nov 2023"
I visited Zimbabwe between 5 Nov 2023 and 16 Nov 2023
"This was our third trip to Zimbabwe using Expert Africa, previously having visited Somalisa/Mana Pools and Somalisa Acacia/Amalinda, and this might just have been the best we have ever done. The combination of a bush camp and 2 more comfortable camps worked really well for us. Hwange Bush Camp gave us the raw Africa experience. Camp Hwange provided a truly exceptional game viewing experience, and the Hide is a unique place. Our thanks to Tom for putting this trip together for us."
Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
211
reviews of Hwange by travellers since August 2007
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Where to stay in Hwange
Our suggestions for safari camps in Hwange National Park