Explore the wild heart of Zimbabwe
HWANGE CONSERVATION SAFARI
Step into the untamed wilderness of Hwange National Park, one of Zimbabwe’s most cherished safari destinations, with this immersive conservation-focused tour. Operated by Imvelo Safari Lodges, this Hwange Conservation Safari combines wildlife adventure with a deeper understanding of conservation efforts, from protecting endangered rhinos to exploring landscapes frequented by massive herds of elephants. Imvelo Safari Lodges is dedicated to environmental stewardship and community engagement, ensuring that your travel supports critical conservation projects and local communities.
This safari highlights unique encounters, such as the Elephant Express rail journey, an experience on the Ngamo Wildlife Sanctuary, and intimate stays at exclusive camps, giving you an unforgettable look into Africa’s wild beauty.
Imvelo Safari Lodges is a pioneering safari company in Zimbabwe, deeply committed to conserving Hwange National Park’s natural beauty and uplifting the surrounding communities. Recognising the critical importance of water in Hwange’s arid climate, Imvelo has funded and maintains over 20 solar-powered boreholes, ensuring water supply to the park’s iconic elephant herds and other wildlife during the dry season.
Additionally, Imvelo supports the Ngamo Wildlife Sanctuary, where the Cobras, a dedicated anti-poaching unit, protect the park’s rhinos and combat illegal hunting. Imvelo’s community projects are equally impactful, addressing essential needs through initiatives such as building schools, establishing clinics, and creating community gardens to enhance food security. Through these efforts, Imvelo protects wildlife and fosters sustainability and resilience among the local communities, making a meaningful difference for people and nature.
Jozibanini Camp and Nehimba are not open during the green season, December to April. This safari will be shortened to Bomani for 4 or 5 nights, an incredible green season safari.
Rate is subject to change and is per person sharing, based on two travellers.
Rates are fully inclusive of accommodation, all meals, lodge activities, return vehicle airstrip transfers, alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages (excluding imported and premium drinks) & taxes, Hwange Park fees and Rhino Conservation Fees. Road transfer and Elephant Express and scheduled light aircraft charter flights on a seat in plane basis per package details
Families are welcome on this safari.
Let’s chat about your Hwange Safari
Day by Day itinerary
Days 01 to 04 – Bomani Tented Camp, Hwange
Your adventure begins with a scenic road transfer from Victoria Falls to the Dete Railway Station, where you will board the iconic Elephant Express. This bespoke rail carriage, equipped with comfortable seating, tables, and a loo, ensures a relaxed journey with an authentic safari touch as you glide through Hwange’s eastern boundary, viewing wildlife along the way.
Bomani Tented Camp welcomes you with its classic safari charm and serene ambience. Set on a private concession just outside the national park, Bomani provides a remote yet accessible location to explore Hwange’s iconic Ngamo Plains. The camp offers Spurwing Tents and Sable Suites, catering to different preferences. Some tents are on the ground floor and others are raised on teak decks. All feature an en-suite bathroom with hot running water, flush toilets, and spacious showers, providing a comfortable yet immersive bush experience. The main camp area includes a thatched dining room, bar, and lounge open to sweeping views of a nearby waterhole, attracting regular wildlife visitors.
Enjoy daily morning and afternoon game drives in the Ngamo Plains and woodlands. Here, you’ll likely encounter elephants, lions, buffalo, and wild dogs as you journey through Hwange’s diverse ecosystems. Drives range from a few hours to all-day excursions, with packed lunches for longer outings.
Spend time in the camp’s custom-built hide, located near a waterhole in the national park, where elephants, zebras, and other wildlife gather. This provides an ideal setting for close-up photography.
Visit the Ngamo Wildlife Sanctuary, where dedicated rangers work to protect resident rhinos. You’ll meet members of the renowned Cobras anti-poaching unit, gaining insight into their conservation efforts.
Experience the local culture with a village visit in nearby Matabeleland, possibly including a school visit and trip to a clinic, now supported entirely by proceeds from the Ngamo Wildlife Sanctuary, to learn how tourism contributes to these communities.
Days 04 to 06 – Jozibanini Camp, Southern Hwange
After a rewarding stay at Bomani, you’ll fly south to Jozibanini Camp, a remote and secluded retreat deep within the park’s seldom-visited area. Ideal for safari purists, Jozibanini is an intimate and rustic camp with only five tents, designed to provide an immersive experience far from modern distractions. This is a rustic and back-to-basics experience. The food is well made, the tents are simple, the guiding and hosting team are lovely and this part of Hwange will provide a raw, wild and incredibly rewarding experience.
The tents are built on raised wooden platforms, each with an open-air en-suite bathroom featuring a bucket shower and flush toilet. Each deck overlooks the plains and the waterhole in the distance. Animals regularly pass through the camp.
The main area is designed for comfort while remaining true to its wilderness setting, with an open-fire cooking area where meals are prepared and served under the stars. A sunken photo hide near the waterhole allows you to observe and photograph elephants at eye level, an experience especially remarkable in the dry season.
Activities here are laid-back. Explore the fossil dunes and remote bush areas around camp on game drives, bush walks and mountain biking. Your guide will update you on recent wildlife activity, including local lion prides and possibly even sightings of elusive leopards. There are some mountain bikes in camp and it is a great way to explore further. Spend time in the photo hide, sunken next to the pumped water, this is a magnificent place to see elephants drinking straight from the clean pumped water.
Evenings at Jozibanini are spent around the campfire, discussing the day’s events and enjoying meals prepared over an open flame. After an adventure-filled day, drift off to sleep with the night time symphony of Hwange’s wildlife.
While we have included a charter flight from Bomani to Jozi, for the more intrepid, consider the Imvelo “Pump Run”. Along the route, you’ll stop at several vital water pumps maintained by Imvelo. These solar-powered boreholes, essential for sustaining Hwange’s wildlife during the dry season, draw elephants, buffalo, zebras, and other species. During each stop, you’ll get a close look at these lifesaving pumps and may even encounter large gatherings of animals as they come to drink, making it both a fascinating wildlife experience and an inspiring conservation journey. This will take most of the day.
Days 06 to 09 – Nehimba Safari Lodge, Northern Hwange
The next stop on your journey is Nehimba Safari Lodge, reached via a scenic bush flight to northern Hwange. Nehimba Safari Lodge offers a blend of luxury and authentic safari experience within a private concession renowned for exceptional wildlife viewing, particularly large herds of elephants and buffalo.
The lodge features nine thatched chalets slightly elevated on teak decks, each with spacious interiors, an en-suite bathroom with a slipper bath, and an outdoor shower, with running water. Enjoy close wildlife encounters from the privacy of your deck, overlooking a waterhole that regularly attracts elephants. The chalets are designed with large windows and private balconies, ensuring unobstructed views of the surrounding wilderness.
The main lodge area includes an elegant open-plan dining area, bar, and lounge that lead to an inviting swimming pool, ideal for refreshing dips between activities. That is when the elephants haven’t sucked up all the water! In the evenings, the deck serves as a front-row seat to a natural spectacle as animals gather at the waterhole to drink.
During your stay at Nehimba, enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in the national park, for a chance to see Hwange’s famous predators, as well as impressive herds of elephants. Walks led by knowledgeable guides provide a closer look at the park’s ecosystems.
One of the best things about Nehima, especially in late August to October, is that the elephants come to you. Relax and take in the wildlife that arrives at the waterhole from the comfort of your private balcony or the lodge’s deck.
