2-day Hwange safari: Bush camping with game drives

Sleep in the bush and watch wildlife drink at your waterhole

A 2-day bush camping safari in Hwange National Park puts you inside Zimbabwe's largest park with three game drives, meals at picnic points and overnight stays in camp. Day one brings a 3-hour afternoon drive after arrival. Day two runs a full day of safari with breakfast and packed lunch in the field, plus a night game drive. Day three ends with breakfast and a short drive before departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and afternoon game drive

• Pickup from lodge
• Drive to Hwange National Park
• Pitch tents and have lunch
• Take a short nap
• Afternoon 3-hour game drive
• Dinner and overnight at camp

Day 2: Full day safari and night drive

• Early morning pickup for safari
• Breakfast and lunch at picnic spots
• Return to camp for rest
• Evening 3-hour night game drive
• Dinner and overnight at camp

Day 3: Breakfast and departure

• Breakfast at camp
• Walk around camp and pack tents
• Short drive to Nyamadlovu pan
• Depart for Victoria Falls or airport

The experience

The drive from your lodge takes 2 hours 30 minutes to reach Hwange. On arrival you pitch your own tent at one of the campsites (Makwa Camp, Ngwehla Camp, Guvalala Camp, or Kennedy 1 & 2, depending on availability), then rest and eat lunch before the first game drive starts at 15h00. That 3-hour afternoon safari is your entry into the park's wildlife: lions, elephants, buffalo, impala and giraffe move through the same landscape you're crossing. Dinner comes at the campsite, served while you watch animals drink at the waterhole after dark.

Day two is the full safari day. You leave at 07h00 for a complete circuit of the park with breakfast and packed lunches eaten at picnic spots as you drive. A 3-hour night game drive starts at 18h00, giving you a second chance at cat sightings around the pans and water points. The evening ends back at camp with dinner by the fire, watching wildlife move through the darkness. Your guide stays at your disposal for photography and questions throughout.

The final morning brings breakfast at the waterhole before you strike the tents. A short drive to Nyamadlovu Pan and the surrounding area rounds out the experience before you head back toward Victoria Falls or the airport. Departure can be set for 07h00 or 09h00 depending on your onward schedule.

What’s included

• Pickup from your lodge.
• three game drives (afternoon on day one, full day on day two, night drive on day two).
• breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• bush camping inside the national park.
• English-speaking guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 10:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 75 years) · Senior (76 and older) · Youth (10 to 11 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Intondolo Safaris and Tours

Is this one for you?Bush camping means you pitch your own tent and sleep inside the park with wildlife around you, which suits travelers who want to be in the landscape rather than watching it from a lodge. The 2-day length fits a first safari or a break between other stops without committing to a longer expedition.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 11 years); Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (under 4).

What animals am I likely to see on a Hwange safari?

Hwange is home to lions, elephants, buffalo, impala and giraffe, and the park is known as a best spot for Big Five sightings in Zimbabwe. Night drives increase your chances of spotting cats and other nocturnal wildlife around the pans and waterholes.

How many game drives are included in the 2-day trip?

Three game drives are included: a 3-hour afternoon drive on day one, a full-day safari on day two with breakfast and lunch served in the field, and a 3-hour night drive starting at 18h00 on day two.

Where do I sleep during the bush camping safari?

You camp inside Hwange National Park at one of several campsites (Makwa Camp, Ngwehla Camp, Guvalala Camp, or Kennedy 1 & 2) on availability. You pitch your own tent and sleep with wildlife moving through the area around your camp, drinking at nearby waterholes.

What meals are provided on the 2-day safari?

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Breakfast and dinner are served at the campsite. On day two, packed lunches are served at picnic spots during the full-day game drive.

How long is the drive from my lodge to Hwange National Park?

The drive takes 2 hours 30 minutes in an air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup from your lodge is included, and you arrive with time to pitch your tent, have lunch and rest before the first game drive at 15h00.