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:
"Wonderful trip arranged by Expert Africa"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zimbabwe safari
"Our eleventh Expert Africa experience"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We are very impressed by the outcome of the upgrading of the website. And we welcome the addition to the EA portfolio of Kenya, which we are currently actively investigating with an eye to our twelfth EA-arranged trip." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
"Zimbabwe"
Very pleased we travelled at a quiet time of year as it greatly added to the pleasure of the trip, particularly with regard to the game drives." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari
"EPIC"
Thank you for putting this trip together for us, we want to go back again!
Cant wait to book with you again.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Nope, I have been recommending Expert Africa a lot since coming back, and will be putting it in my blog as well when I get around to finishing it.
Nick Hobbs went above and beyond to help us book our trip *high five*, you rock!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari
"My Oct 2012 trip"
The Silver Tours transfer to and from the Hwange Main Camp were 1/2 to 1 hour late each way. Next time, we would likely schedule and earlier pickup time than 10:30 AM, since they're likely to be late anyway. We would also fly in and out of Livingstone Airport. Even with the construction, it seemed better to us than Victoria Falls Airport. We would probably arrange the Devil's Pool activity later in the day, since it includes breakfast on the island in the morning - when we already have breakfast provided at the hotel." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zimbabwe safari
"Great Zimbabwe!"
Everything worked very smoothly in terms of transfers and the camps did not disappoint. We decided not to try and cover too much and spent our time in Hwange, Matopos and Bulawayo which gave us a great mix of experiences. We saw a good range of game, some important historical sites and met a great mix of people. We look forward to going back." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zimbabwe safari
"Good destination for game viewing"
Many friends questioned the safety of our choice of destination before we went and so we ended up saying safari in Africa after a while! We encountered no problems nor any hostility towards us at all. We will now be able to tell people so.
Cash purchasing is all important so take plenty of it - 4 of the places we stayed had safe facilities. No one wanted travellers cheques, and credit machines seldom worked.
In Victoria, vendors are persistent but not aggressive - just keep in mind they just want to make a $. There are plenty of tourist police on hand if need be.
The Falls are stunning and well worth the visit. We had 3 nights in Victoria. Two is more than enough if it is only the Falls that you wish to see and in fact we did that on arrival so 1 night would have been sufficient for us with more time on safari.
Importantly the game viewing is excellent and the regions offer a great deal of contrast so it is worth doing as much as you can afford! I would not recommend less than 3 nights in any camp/area if travelling between regions as the travelling is long and tiring. Travel arrangements need improving overall including communication about them.
The guiding was all of a very good standard with obvious enthusiasm.
We had hoped to do more walking, but were constrained by our travel arrangements. This is a great pity. For the nervous, think carefully before choosing Goliath as the proximity to wildlife is challenging and could be very uncomfortable for some. For those who would like the experience, it is awesome.
We would recommend Zimbabwe from the experience we had. Just plan your route carefully" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari
"Zimbawe trip"
"Our Safari to Zimbabwe and Zambia"
Claire Scott was careful to not overstate any details, and we are already beginning to plan next year's safari." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari
"My Aug 2012 trip"
We had an issue with the transfer from Kaingo to Rukomechi. With hindsight had we realized it would take over 11 hours we would have probably made a different decision about the combination of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Secondly, there was a mix-up between Executive Air (Safari Logistics) and the booking for the transfer from Mana Pools Airstrip to Hwange. The plane arrived at 11:00 AM, which was his scheduled arrival according to his sheet but was an hour before we were expected to be picked up. Luckily the pilot waited for us and the two other passengers. We arrived at Hwange Airport at 2:15pm and there was no vehicle there from Camp Hwange. Again the pilot waited as he did not want to leave us at a closed airport building with no means of contacting the Camp. Finally a vehicle arrived at 3:15 pm.(the driver said he had been told to arrive for 3:30pm). The pilot Janade Krarim left with the other two passengers bound for Victoria Falls. Without the kindness of the pilot we could have been stranded." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari
Where to stay in Hwange
Our suggestions for safari camps in Hwange National Park
Camp Hwange
Overlooking a waterhole in a remote part of Hwange National Park, Camp Hwange offers great guiding in a pristine wilderness at reasonable prices.
Somalisa Camp
Somalisa is a luxurious, yet remote, safari camp in Hwange National Park, offering walking safaris and game drives.
The Hide
Located in a small, private concession, The Hide is a relaxed and comfortable camp offering submerged hides and great family accommodation.
Hwange Bush Camp
Hwange Bush Camp is a small seasonal camp offering comfortable tents, great food, and superb guiding, and is often used by exclusive groups.
Little Makalolo Camp
Tucked away in Hwange National Park overlooking a waterhole, Little Makalolo Camp combines top guiding with excellent wildlife watching.
Somalisa Expeditions
A simple but stylish camp, Somalisa Expeditions sits in the heart of Hwange National Park, offering walking safaris and game drives.
Davison's Camp
Within the Linkwasha Concession, Davison's Camp offers superb value for money, morning walking safaris and spot-lit drives after dark.
Nehimba Lodge
Nehimba is a comfortable, good-value camp in a remote area of Hwange National Park, teeming with wildlife.
Bomani Tented Lodge
Bomani is a down-to-earth lodge with a range of activities in a remote region of western Zimbabwe, adjacent to Hwange National Park.
Verney's Camp
Verney's Camp is one of the newest offerings in Hwange, located in the wildlife rich, open landscape in the south-eastern section of the park.
Jozibanini Camp
Remote and rugged, Jozibanini is one of the most remote camps in Zimabwe's largest National Park. Stay here for a real wilderness experience.
Khulu Bush Camp
Just outside Hwange National Park, Khulu Bush Camp features a waterhole popular with wildlife, especially elephants and offers excellent value for money.
Somalisa Acacia
Somalisa Acacia is a family-friendly, yet remote and luxurious safari camp in Hwange National Park.
Linkwasha Camp
In its own private concession within Hwange National Park, Linkwasha offers excellent wildlife sightings and luxurious surroundings.
Camelthorn
Camelthorn is a stylish lodge with a range of activities in a remote region of western Zimbabwe, adjacent to Hwange National Park.
Ivory Lodge
Just outside Hwange National Park, the small Ivory Lodge is a great place to see large herds of elephant as well as smaller plains game.
Deteema Springs Camp
Nestled deep in Hwange National Parks rugged northern sector, Deteema Springs Camp promises visitors an authentic bush amp experience.
Stimela Star
The Stimela Star is a luxury overnight train that starts in Victoria Falls before making it's way down to Hwange National Park where you can start your safari.
Daka Camp
One of the more remote camps in Hwange National Park, Deka Camp sits almost on the border with Botswana.
Sable Valley Lodge
Set on the 12km Dete Vlei, the recently upgraded and family-friendly Sable Valley sits in a private reserve within easy reach of Hwange National Park.
Khulu's Retreat
Just outside Hwange National Park, Khulu's Retreat is an exclusive private villa and is a great place to spoil yourself on a safari in Zimbabwe.
Elephant's Eye
In a private concession just outside Hwange National Park, the comfortable Elephant's Eye overlooks a pan and waterholes.
