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Hwange National Park: Planning for Your Safari

Published

2 years ago

February 19, 2023

VicFallsLive

BY BEN WILLIAMS

If you’re planning a trip to Hwange National Park, here are a few

Hwange National Park is located in Zimbabwe and covers an area of 7,800 sq km.

Hwange National Park is located in Zimbabwe and covers an area of 7,800 sq km. It’s the largest national park in Zimbabwe, as well as one of the largest game reserves in Africa.

Hwange lies within Matabeleland North, in the south-western part of Zimbabwe (a landlocked country). The park gets its name from the Shona word for “large ironwood tree”. Hwange has many different landscapes including grasslands and woodlands that support a wide range of animal species including lions and elephants.

The park is home to an incredible variety of wildlife and has some of the finest game viewing safari lodges in the world.

Hwange National Park is the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe, covering an area of 7,800 square kilometres. It’s home to an incredible variety of wildlife and has some of the finest game viewing safari lodges in the world.

The park was established in 1928 as a hunting ground for white hunters and their clients, but today it welcomes visitors from around the globe who come here to experience what many consider one of Africa’s most exciting safaris!

The climate is hot and dry, with temperatures on average between 20-30 degrees Celsius throughout the year.

The climate is hot and dry, with temperatures on average between 20-30 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The weather can be unpredictable at times, but it’s generally sunny during the day and cool at night. There are no seasons in Zimbabwe: summer lasts from December to February while winter runs from June to September.

There are two main areas within Hwange National Park – The North part is for more adventurous travellers who want to explore wilderness areas.

Hwange National Park offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit different travellers. The north part is for more adventurous travelers who want to explore wilderness areas, while the south part offers luxury accommodation at one of the many five star lodges within the park.The South part is for those who would like to relax in luxury at one of the many five star lodges within the park.

The south part of Hwange National Park, which is where you will find your luxurious five star lodges, is the most beautiful area of Hwange. You can go on game drives and walking safaris from these luxury spots.

The north part of Hwange National Park has some wonderful campsites but they don’t have the same level of luxury as those found in the south. However if you are planning on camping then this might be better for you than staying at one of the many five star lodges within Hwange National ParkIf you’re planning a trip to Hwange National Park, here are a few things that you’ll need to know before you go…

Know your itinerary.

Check the weather before you go, and pack for all seasons so that you’re prepared for whatever comes your way.

Know what to bring and what to leave behind by reading our Hwange National Park packing list here: [link].

Familiarize yourself with park rules and regulations; this will help keep you safe while in the wilderness!

There are lots of things to know when going on safari!

In this section, we’ll cover some of the basics.What to pack: You should bring plenty of water and sunscreen, as well as a hat and sunglasses (and maybe even bug spray). Don’t forget your camera!

How to buy tickets: You can purchase them online from the official Hwange National Park website, but it’s better if you do it in person at one of their offices in Harare or Bulawayo. There are also other companies that sell tour packages for Hwange National Park; these may be cheaper than buying everything separately yourself.

What to expect on safari: You’ll see lots of animals–elephants! lions! zebras! giraffes!–but since they’re wild creatures with minds of their own, don’t expect them all the time or in certain places at any given time (or even at any time). Also remember that many animals have babies right now so there might be young ones accompanying adults who aren’t usually seen together during prime viewing hours like morning or evening when light conditions are best suited for photography purposes; however this does mean there’s even more excitement packed into those precious few minutes each day when everyone comes together just right!

We hope that this article has helped you to plan for your next trip to Hwange National Park. We know how exciting it can be, but also how overwhelming! There are so many things to consider when planning a safari – from where you’re going and what kind of accommodation suits your budget, right through to packing for the adventure ahead. But don’t worry – we’ve got plenty more articles here on our blog all about planning an African adventure!-The London Economic

National

Chidzivo, Waison take top honors at Vic Falls Marathon

Published

2 days ago

July 7, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Blessing Waison and Fortunate Chidzivo took top honors at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon yesterday, as Zimbabwean long-distance runners excelled at Africa’s most prestigious road race.

Econet General Manager – Marketing, Mrs Tariro Muchena (left), and Finance Director, Mr Chengeto Moyo, present the winner’s prize to men’s marathon champion, Blessing Waison, at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, while Victoria Falls Mayor, Mr Prince Moyo, looks on

The event, which featured athletes from over 40 countries, saw Waison storm to victory in the men’s full marathon, clocking 2 hours, 13 minutes, and 16 seconds. He narrowly beat decorated Olympian Isaac Mpofu in a thrilling duel that brought thousands of spectators to their feet.

Godwin Katakura followed closely in third, completing an all-Zimbabwean podium sweep in the 42.2km race. The trio’s success came with bigger rewards this year, after Econet Wireless doubled the total prize purse to $50,000.

Waison walked away with $3,000, while Mpofu and Katakura earned $2,000 and $1,500, respectively.

In the women’s marathon, Chidzivo delivered a commanding performance, clocking 2 hours and 42 minutes to claim another major title in her illustrious career. Ethel Pangiso and Phillipa Dube completed the women’s podium in second and third place, respectively.

Rising star Wayne Kabondo turned heads in the men’s 21km half marathon, overcoming a formidable field to finish in 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds. Kabondo pocketed $1,500 for his efforts.

In the women’s 21km race, Caroline Mhandu crossed the line in 1 hour, 17 minutes, and 50 seconds, ahead of Miriam Sibanda and Melody Kaseke.

The marathon’s inclusive spirit was evident in the 18km Specially Abled Races, which saw uplifting performances across different categories. Godknows Hamadziripi claimed the men’s tricycle title, while Samson Muroyiwa won the handcycle event.

Among the women, Stella Jongwe triumphed in the handcycle race, and Ratidzo Tomu took first position in the tricycle category.

Organized by Econet Wireless in partnership with Wild Horizons, the 2025 edition drew over 5,000 participants and spectators from more than 40 countries. The marathon route, widely regarded as Africa’s most scenic, winds through game reserves and offers spectacular views of the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls.

https://x.com/vic_falls_live/status/1941861569450725776?s=46

Beyond the races, this year’s event featured live music, traditional dance, health expos, and community wellness activities.

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Zimparks launches elephant culling program

Published

1 month ago

June 3, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

In a bid to address the growing elephant population in Save Valley Conservancy, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has issued permits for a controlled elephant management exercise.

The exercise, slated to commence shortly, aims to cull an initial 50 elephants from the conservancy, which is currently home to 2,550 elephants – more than three times the ecological carrying capacity of 800 elephants.

According to ZimParks, the conservancy has been struggling to cope with the swelling elephant population, which has put a strain on the wildlife habitat and resources. Over the past five years, the conservancy has translocated 200 elephants to other areas, including Hurungwe and Sapi, in an effort to manage the population.

Zimparks says the controlled culling exercise is expected to provide relief to the conservancy’s ecosystem, while also benefiting local communities.

Elephant meat from the exercise will be distributed to local communities while the ivory will be kept by the State.

In a statement, ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo emphasized the authority’s commitment to responsible and sustainable wildlife management.

“We remain committed to ensuring that our wildlife resources are managed in a responsible and sustainable manner, for the benefit of present and future generations.”

In the community

Hwange police seek public’s help in locating missing teen

Published

2 months ago

May 15, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

The Hwange police are urgently seeking the public’s assistance in locating 16-year-old Latoya Lisa Munkuli, who went missing on May 7, this month.

Latoya, a dark-complexioned female juvenile, was last seen leaving her residence in Hwange around 4 pm.

She was wearing a distinctive outfit consisting of green trousers and a white T-shirt, and carried a black satchel. She stands approximately 1.6 meters tall.

Inspector Glory Banda of the Hwange police is leading the investigation and urges anyone with information about Latoya’s whereabouts to come forward.

If you have any information about Latoya’s disappearance, please contact Inspector Banda on 0785961747 or 0771256607.