For A Unique Wildlife Experience Head To Hwanga & Gonarezhou National Parks - And Don't Forget Your Camera...
Hwanga National Park is found on the main road between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. It’s relatively easy to access which makes it a popular choice for both locals and tourists. It’s also home to the rare wild dog as well as numerous man-made water holes which are an ideal place to get a glimpse of wild animals drinking in their natural habitat. Recommended places to stay include the Hide and the luxurious Hwange Safari Lodge. For camping enthusiasts or those looking for a more basic option the Hwange Lodges and Camping is perfect.
The second place you could get your Zimbabwean wildlife fix is the Gonerazhou National Park. This very remote national park, found in the South Eastern Lowveld part of Zimbabwe, has three large rivers running through it (the Runde, Mwenezi and Save) which attract many different species of wildlife and birds.
Exploring the river bed Gonarezhou National Park
In Gonarezhou National Park some of the largest tusked elephants (thought to be behind the name ‘Gonarezhou’ which translates from Shona as “Place of Elephants”) can be seen as well as black and white rhino, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, giraffe, sable, impala, kudu, and warthogs. It is also the home of the king striped cheetah and the very rarely seen Suni antelope.
Within the park there are many viewing platforms where you can get some truly breathtaking views of baobab trees, river beds and of course, the wildlife. A significant one being the Rossi Pools situated in the Mabalauta area of the park which have amazing rock formations, baobab trees and a rugged landscape.
Zebras Hwange
One accommodation option is the Swimuwini Rest Camp which has a good selection of basic but comfortable self-catering lodges overlooking the Mwenezi River. Spend your days on game drives stopping at various viewing platforms for a picnic whilst enjoying watching the wildlife down below. There are also many natural water pans which make the ultimate place to watch the wild animals – just don’t forget your camera.
The best time of year is to visit both parks during the dry months: May to October, when you stand the best chance of viewing Zimbabwe’s ‘Big Five’.
Buffalos
