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:
"Trip of a lifetime"
We then spent a long time with Richard Trillo and his team discussing options and then left it to him to put together an extended trip to hopefully tick all the boxes on our wish list.
ALL BOXES TICKED, this was a fantastic journey through 5 African countries, we have seen and experienced so much, so a VERY BIG THANK YOU to Expert Africa for arranging this for us.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, just carry on doing what you're doing now - it would be very hard to improve what you're already doing so well." Read full review: 44 nights in Africa; 17 on a Kenya safari
"Flavour of Zimbabwe"
Matopo has some fabulous scenery, history and was a place to track rhino on foot - tick to all three. Rhino with calf was a highlight. It also gave us our best ever sighting of Elephant Shrew at Rhodes Grave! The National Park, however, has little game and incursions from cattle and humans are common. Locals roam the whole park on foot cutting grass for sale. It is still worth a visit and arguable needs more visitors to recover, so I’d still include it if you can.
Hwange with its pumped water holes and huge elephant population delivered more classic sightings, and a pride of lions with 6 cubs provided entertainment on all our game drives. Good antelope including Sable and Roan with huge buffalo herd of 500 plus were also a highlight. The open areas and mixed forest gave good variety to habitats.
Mana Pools was in drought in June so maybe not at its best. We were surprised at the number of self drivers and campers, some of whom are clearly not controlled effectively by the NP staff (much to the frustration of guides). No off road but you can off walk so great encounter with lions on a kill on foot was the highlight. If this is the jewel in the crown for Zimbabwe then it’s a little disappointing - at times it felt like a safari park - particularly as the unique environment offers so much.
Versus other neighbouring safari destinations, Zimbabwe still has some catching up to do if it is to return to its previous premier ranking. The amazing teams at African Bush Camps certainly warrant a visit." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
"Overall pretty good experience"
We loved Anabezi, really enjoyed Somalisa Acacia, were disappointed by Lion Camp, and appalled by Splash Camp. We paid a lot of money for four nights at Splash and felt it was largely a waste of money, except for seeing painted dog pups.
While much information was supplied, some of it was unclear or inaccurate and I found myself doing research instead of asking Expert Africa again (i.e. WiFi at each camp; what kind of plugs were needed; what are the current baggage requirements). I would have liked more precision about logistics (i.e. there are multiple vehicles involved in some transfers). I also made myself a map of camps and airstrips that would be a nice touch from you.
The little gift of luggage tag and passport holder was thoughtful but not very well designed!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari
"Victoria Falls, Hwange and Mana Pools"
"Wonderful people, exclusive experiences"
Always felt very safe and welcome. Met wonderful people in camps, cities and along the roads.
Felt like we got the privilege of experiencing the wilderness almost completely alone with our hosts. And got interesting openhearted stories about everyday life in the country." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zimbabwe safari
"My May 2019 trip"
"May 2019 Africa Trip"
We’ve already passed Claire’s name along to a colleague and she is working with him and his wife now on their upcoming trip. We definitely want to return to Africa, probably as soon as next year, and will plan to contact Claire to see about helping us with that trip as well." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
"I turned 50 in Southern Africa!"
In trying to explain the experience to people the closest I can get to accurate is "something amazing happens and then something else amazing happens, etc." I can't compare the rush of seeing lion doing their thing against seeing the rush of Victoria Falls. I can't compare how it feels to be in the vast desolate Makgadikgadi Pans to seeing the vastness of the southern sky's blanket of universe. Being comedically entertained by the meerkat, mud wallowing warthogs, running ostrich, and hippo grunting are experiences like no other. It's completely absurd that neither my daughter nor I were afraid of the 7 white rhino we walked to and stood amongst. It was pretty clear to me when the 1st bush flight landed scaring away zebra and an ostrich from the airstrip that Africa suits me. I guess that's why I didn't blow the air horn when the elephant tried to join my shower.
To close this out - I've lived and worked on 3 continents and know a 4th extensively but there is nothing like Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The process was long for both me and everyone that had to interact with me. Now that I've done it I hope to not be so high maintenance in the future.
One of the reasons I chose EA was because when my plan went from Zambia only I was handed to another person with more expertise in the new regions. I appreciated that. No one at EA tried to "upsell" me either. That is why I dropped the other company I had begun inquiry with.
I'll be emailing the wildlife sightings. We wrote in a lot." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari
"Zimbabwe at Last"
The lodge system as we saw it matches any we have experienced elsewhere and the guiding is absolutely second to none. There are wrinkles but they are minor and should not deter anyone from visiting this most beautiful of Southern African countries.
We have always had full confidence in Expert Africa and once again it all worked. Thank you." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
"Loved Bomani "
Weather was beautiful as were the sunsets and the stars at night. Good game drives. Liked Hwange a lot. There’s also the private concession on Bomani so we did night drives as well. They also have a really cool underground “bunker” so to speak with open spaces that lookup onto elephants as they drink from a waterhole right in front of the open spaces from which you’re looking out.
I liked the remoteness of the lodge as well. There’s no fences so you definitely hear animals at night outside your tent!" Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 3 on a Zimbabwe safari
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Inspire meWhere 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.
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.
Nehimba Lodge
Nehimba is a comfortable, good-value camp in a remote area of Hwange National Park, teeming with wildlife.
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.
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.
Linkwasha Camp
In its own private concession within Hwange National Park, Linkwasha offers excellent wildlife sightings and luxurious surroundings.
Somalisa Acacia
Somalisa Acacia is a family-friendly, yet remote and luxurious safari camp in Hwange National 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.
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.
Camelthorn
Camelthorn is a stylish lodge with a range of activities in a remote region of western Zimbabwe, adjacent to Hwange National Park.
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.
Deteema Springs Camp
Nestled deep in Hwange National Parks rugged northern sector, Deteema Springs Camp promises visitors an authentic bush camp experience.
Daka Camp
One of the most remote camps in Hwange National Park, Daka Camp, like the smaller Daka Expeditions, sits almost on the border with Botswana.
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.
Camp Chitubu
Nestled in the rugged north of Hwange National Park, the unpretentious yet comfortable Camp Chitubu has a strong focus on excellent guiding.
Tum Tum
The Tum Tum Treehouses are due to open in late 2025. Details on this exciting development are still scarce, so watch this space.
