Hwange Review

Situated in western Zimbabwe in the Matebeland North province, Hwange is only some 100 km from the majestic Victoria Falls one of the most visited places in Africa. The nearest city to Hwange amongst cities in Zimbabwe is Bulawayo the second largest city in Zimbabwe after Harare the capital of Zimbabwe. It is some 337km from Bulawayo and less than an hour's drive from Victoria falls.

The town was initially known as Wankie before changing its name in 1982. The new name is not an out of this world variant of the original name in terms of pronounciation. It is a small town of less than 100 000 people whose existence is centred around two main activities namely coal mining and related power generation as well as tourism driven by the magnificent and gigantic Hwange National Park.

Underneath the town and its surrounding areas are extensive coal deposits that began to be exploited in the early 1970s. Electricity generation from steam produced by coal only started recently in the mid-1990s. The coal deposits in Hwange are amongst the largest in the world and estimated to last 1000 years.

Hwange National Park

This enormous park is some 14600 square kilometres of total African bush. Being in the park feels like being in the undiscovered Africa with its majestic wild animal life including lions (shumba in Shona), elephants, giraffe and many others including all the African big five animals.

The park has the largest head of elephants which at one point the government of Zimbabwe was concerned they were out-stripping the resources available in the park. The animals frequently cross the boarder into Botswana freely. The park is managed by Zimbabwe's National Park services. During certain periods of time, hunters are allowed to hunt specific animals at a fee. The hunting is highly controlled and regulated to preserve the animals in the park. Sadly animals in the park fall victim to illegal indiscriminate poachers.

Hwange Safari Lodge

Places to stay when visiting Hwange will include the safari lodge. It is owned and operated by African Sun Hotels based in Harare. The lodge offers 100 rooms and conference facilities which makes the park even ideal for corporate retreats.

The lodge is located right at the boarder of the park and offers game drives and expert guides within the park.Where the rooms are situated, guests can have a clear look at the famous water hole where all animals come to take a sunset drink. Bush dinners are also a popular offering to international visitors at Hwange Safari Lodge. These usually cater for 12 to 50 people were local African cuisine is served together with western dishes. Local traditional dancers often entertain guests to the lodge.

Nearby Hwange Safari Lodge is also the popular pottery village were tourists can pick up curios and various gifts for family and friends resembling the true African experience. Reservations to the lodge can be done online by going to African Sun Hotels or in Harare were African Sun Hotels operates its central reservation.

Travel to Hwange

Traveling to Hwange is fairly easy. there are essentially two options which can be achieved by flying to Bulawayo or to Victoria falls and then travelling by road to the town. Bulawayo is however further than Victoria Falls from Hwange. Here you can find fiurther Bulawayo travel information.

Most visitors like to combine their visit to Victoria Falls with the visit to Hwange National Park. This indeed seems logical. One thing for certain to enjoy when visiting is the hospitality and kindness of the people of Zimbabwe.