Hwange National Park

🇿🇼 Zimbabwe

🐘 Elephant Herds at Hwange's Waterholes
🌍 #49 Global · 4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #31 in Africa #32 in Savanna & Grassland
Southern Africa, Zimbabwe 988 spp. recorded

Hwange National Park sits in western Zimbabwe, spanning a vast tropical savanna of open grasslands, acacia scrub, and teak woodlands. This protected region differs from neighboring reserves through its reliance on pumped boreholes and artificial waterholes that sustain wildlife across wide, arid terrain.

-19.054° S   26.517° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

70–80% · Very likely
Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

50–60% · Likely
Painted Hunting Dog ★
EN

Painted Hunting Dog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lycaon pictus

20–30% · Possible
Sable Antelope ★
LC

Sable Antelope

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippotragus niger

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Lilac-breasted Roller
LC

Lilac-breasted Roller

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracias caudatus

70–80% · Very likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

60–70% · Likely
Blacksmith Lapwing
LC

Blacksmith Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus armatus

60–70% · Likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

60–70% · Likely
Egyptian Goose
LC

Egyptian Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alopochen aegyptiaca

60–70% · Likely
Southern Giraffe

Southern Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa giraffa

50–60% · Likely
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
LC

White-browed Sparrow-Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Plocepasser mahali

50–60% · Likely
Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

50–60% · Likely
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill
LC

Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tockus leucomelas

50–60% · Likely
Helmeted Guineafowl
LC

Helmeted Guineafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Numida meleagris

40–50% · Likely
Magpie Shrike

Magpie Shrike

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Urolestes melanoleucus

40–50% · Likely
African Grey Hornbill
LC

African Grey Hornbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lophoceros nasutus

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

70–80% · Very likely
Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

50–60% · Likely
Painted Hunting Dog ★
EN

Painted Hunting Dog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lycaon pictus

20–30% · Possible
Sable Antelope ★
LC

Sable Antelope

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippotragus niger

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Southern Giraffe

Southern Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa giraffa

50–60% · Likely
Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

50–60% · Likely
Greater Kudu
LC

Greater Kudu

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus strepsiceros

40–50% · Likely
Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

40–50% · Likely
Chacma Baboon
LC

Chacma Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio ursinus

40–50% · Likely
Steenbok
LC

Steenbok

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Raphicerus campestris

40–50% · Likely
Blue Wildebeest
LC

Blue Wildebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Connochaetes taurinus

40–50% · Likely
Smith's Bush Squirrel
LC

Smith's Bush Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Paraxerus cepapi

30–40% · Possible
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

30–40% · Possible
Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

30–40% · Possible
Roan Antelope
LC

Roan Antelope

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippotragus equinus

30–40% · Possible
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Lilac-breasted Roller
LC

Lilac-breasted Roller

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracias caudatus

70–80% · Very likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

60–70% · Likely
Blacksmith Lapwing
LC

Blacksmith Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus armatus

60–70% · Likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

60–70% · Likely
Egyptian Goose
LC

Egyptian Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alopochen aegyptiaca

60–70% · Likely
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
LC

White-browed Sparrow-Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Plocepasser mahali

50–60% · Likely
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill
LC

Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tockus leucomelas

50–60% · Likely
Helmeted Guineafowl
LC

Helmeted Guineafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Numida meleagris

40–50% · Likely
Magpie Shrike

Magpie Shrike

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Urolestes melanoleucus

40–50% · Likely
African Grey Hornbill
LC

African Grey Hornbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lophoceros nasutus

40–50% · Likely
Arrow-marked Babbler
LC

Arrow-marked Babbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdoides jardineii

40–50% · Likely
Southern Red-billed Hornbill

Southern Red-billed Hornbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tockus rufirostris

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Wahlberg’s Striped Skink

Wahlberg’s Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis wahlbergii

30–40% · Possible
Nile Crocodile
LC

Nile Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus niloticus

30–40% · Possible
Leopard Tortoise
LC

Leopard Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Stigmochelys pardalis

30–40% · Possible
Chobe Dwarf Gecko
LC

Chobe Dwarf Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lygodactylus chobiensis

30–40% · Possible
Rainbow Skink

Rainbow Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis margaritifera

20–30% · Possible
Common Giant Plated Lizard
LC

Common Giant Plated Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Matobosaurus validus

20–30% · Possible
Nile Monitor
LC

Nile Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus niloticus

20–30% · Possible
Fischer's Thick-toed Gecko
LC

Fischer's Thick-toed Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Chondrodactylus laevigatus

10–20% · With luck
Flap-necked Chameleon
LC

Flap-necked Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Chamaeleo dilepis

10–20% · With luck
Serrated Hinged Terrapin

Serrated Hinged Terrapin

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pelusios sinuatus

Insufficient data
Tropical House Gecko
LC

Tropical House Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Hemidactylus mabouia

Insufficient data
Southern Tree Agama
LC

Southern Tree Agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Acanthocercus atricollis

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Grey Foam-nest Treefrog
LC

Grey Foam-nest Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Chiromantis xerampelina

20–30% · Possible
Senegal Kassina
LC

Senegal Kassina

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Kassina senegalensis

10–20% · With luck
Shovel-nosed Frog
LC

Shovel-nosed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hemisus marmoratus

Insufficient data
Edible bullfrog
LC

Edible bullfrog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Pyxicephalus edulis

Insufficient data
Garman's Toad
LC

Garman's Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Sclerophrys garmani

Insufficient data
Mozambique ridged frog
LC

Mozambique ridged frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena mossambica

Insufficient data
Ornate frog
LC

Ornate frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hildebrandtia ornata

Insufficient data
Natal Puddle Frog
LC

Natal Puddle Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Phrynobatrachus natalensis

Insufficient data
Margined Reed Frog
LC

Margined Reed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hyperolius marginatus

Insufficient data
Mababe puddle frog
LC

Mababe puddle frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Phrynobatrachus mababiensis

Insufficient data
Knocking sand frog
LC

Knocking sand frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Tomopterna krugerensis

Insufficient data
African Split-skin Toad
LC

African Split-skin Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Schismaderma carens

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

African Wild Dog Denning & Tracking

JunJulAugSep

The dry winter months coincide with the wild dogs' denning period, making packs more localized and easier to track across the Kalahari sands.

Painted Hunting Dog
EN

Painted Hunting Dog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lycaon pictus

20–30% · Possible
🦌

Peak Dry Season Waterhole Gatherings

AugSepOct

As natural water sources dry up, enormous concentrations of wildlife converge on artificial pumped waterholes, creating unparalleled game-viewing spectacles.

African Bush Elephant
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

70–80% · Very likely
Lion
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

50–60% · Likely
🦌

Intense Predator Activity at Dera Pans

FebMarApr

The lush growth following early rains attracts various ungulates with newborn young, sharply elevating ambush predator activity in the bush.

Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

40–50% · Likely
Lion
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

50–60% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
African Bush Elephant
60–70
70–80
50–60
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
40–50
70–80
Lion
20–30
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
60–70
40–50
60–70
40–50
40–50
50–60
Painted Hunting Dog
30–40
5–10
5–10
20–30
30–40
30–40
20–30
40–50
20–30
20–30
20–30
30–40
Sable Antelope
30–40
60–70
10–20
20–30
30–40
20–30
20–30
40–50
40–50
5–10
10–20
50–60
Lilac-breasted Roller
80–90
40–50
50–60
70–80
60–70
40–50
70–80
70–80
60–70
80–90
60–70
70–80
Cape Turtle Dove
80–90
40–50
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
Blacksmith Lapwing
80–90
30–40
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
80–90
70–80
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
Fork-tailed Drongo
70–80
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
50–60
80–90
60–70
50–60
Egyptian Goose
80–90
40–50
40–50
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
70–80
70–80
80–90
Southern Giraffe
20–30
40–50
60–70
50–60
60–70
30–40
50–60
50–60
50–60
20–30
50–60
60–70
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
60–70
40–50
40–50
60–70
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
Plains Zebra
20–30
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
30–40
50–60
50–60
30–40
40–50
60–70
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill
60–70
30–40
30–40
30–40
50–60
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
30–40
60–70
Helmeted Guineafowl
40–50
20–30
40–50
60–70
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
Magpie Shrike
40–50
30–40
20–30
30–40
40–50
50–60
70–80
50–60
50–60
50–60
30–40
60–70
African Grey Hornbill
50–60
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
Animal Events
🦌 Peak Dry Season Waterhole Gatherings
🦌 African Wild Dog Denning & Tracking
🦌 Intense Predator Activity at Dera Pans

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🐘 Elephant Herds at Hwange's Waterholes

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.2 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
652
🐒 Mammals
169
🦎 Reptiles
128
🐸 Amphibians
39
988 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
34 Threatened 10 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
60%
📊
Coverage (265 species at ≥5% of 988 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
27%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (8 bird, 4 mammal)
46% Global avg
59%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
189
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
40
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
24

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Hwange National Park?

The most likely sightings are Lilac-breasted Roller (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), African Bush Elephant (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Cape Turtle Dove (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Blacksmith Lapwing (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Fork-tailed Drongo (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 988 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Hwange National Park for wildlife?

July has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see African Bush Elephant in Hwange National Park?

Yes — about 70% of wildlife watchers report a African Bush Elephant sighting in Hwange National Park, based on 99 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Lion in Hwange National Park?

Yes — about 52% of wildlife watchers report a Lion sighting in Hwange National Park, based on 48 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Painted Hunting Dog in Hwange National Park?

Yes — about 28% of wildlife watchers report a Painted Hunting Dog sighting in Hwange National Park, based on 16 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Sable Antelope in Hwange National Park?

Yes — about 37% of wildlife watchers report a Sable Antelope sighting in Hwange National Park, based on 25 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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