Hwange National Park is one of Africa’s best kept secrets and we like to think of The Hide as our own little piece of heaven in this remarkable part of the world. The Hide provides guests with countless opportunities to observe an abundance of wildlife from your private tent or anywhere in camp, before even embarking on an activity in the concession.
Hwange National Park is well-known for being a birders paradise and for having over 100 mammals, which includes one of the largest populations of elephants in the area. So, the big question is, what can you expect on your dream trip in Hwange? We have made it easy for you by sharing our best 48 hours safari experience with you here.
Once you have settled in, your professional guide will discuss the variety of activities on offer, and as game drives are a great way to begin your safari, you will set off and explore Hwange. Expect to observe a vast variety of both bird and wildlife over the next few hours, so have your checklist and binoculars at the ready over the next two hours. Shortly before sunset, your guide will choose a beautiful spot where he will set up a range of premium drinks and snacks for you to enjoy whilst watching the spectacular African sunset over the horizon, giving you the opportunity to capture your first picture perfect moment in Hwange.
You will return to camp at approximately 7.00pm, in time for a hot shower and then evening drinks and snacks around a roaring campfire. At this time of the evening, wildlife frequents the illuminated waterhole, allowing you to watch over them, in a peaceful and relaxed and safe setting.
A delicious dinner is served from 8.00pm and guests gather around the table to share their exciting wildlife sightings and stories from the day. After dinner, if you are feeling up to it, guests have the opportunity of going on a night drive for 30 minutes to an hour, where spotlights are used to help spot nocturnal animals like the bat- eared fox, as well as lion, leopard and hyena. This can be an interesting and exciting drive where guests have seen up to 15 species before. After a very full first day, we wish you a restful night’s sleep!
A Full Day of Exploring Awaits you
Your day begins with the sound of birds chirping, the crisp smell of dew on the grass, and a gentle knock on the door with a delivery of your choice of tea, coffee or fruit juice. Once you are ready, you can join the rest of The Hide guests from 5.30am in the dining room for an early morning breakfast before setting out on your chosen activity. You can look at our popular activity options to select from here – https://www.thehide.com/activities/
There is no typical day at The Hide as it really depends on you how much or little you would like to do. Generally, we go out-and-about at the same time as the animals which is usually early mornings and late afternoons or evenings. However, the scope and scale of Hwange’s wildlife is such that there is generally always something to see. We don’t limit the number of activities you can do, so if you are keen to be out as much as possible., you could do an early morning walk followed by a morning drive before returning for lunch. In the afternoon you could head out again, stopping off for a sundowner and a night-drive back to camp.
One of our favourite morning activities is to experience the bush on foot, which provides you with an excellent opportunity to learn more about Hwange itself and its flora and fauna. A large variety of animals and birdlife can be encountered on these walks and our Professional Guides are trained to keep you safe always. Our walks are often some of the most memorable part of a guests stay with us and they can be educational too.
Once you return from you morning activity, a delightful luncheon will be served, followed by a well-deserved afternoon siesta in the comfort of your tent or simply spending some time relaxing in our lounge, overlooking the waterhole.
This is also an excellent time to be in the underground Hides, or game viewing from our elevated platform, which overlooks a large open area through which the movement of game is excellent.
Guests re-group again at mid-afternoon for tea where a leisurely afternoon game drive will follow, where you will go in search of the latest wildlife seen or continue tracking the predator spore you discovered that morning. All in all, you are guaranteed an action-packed day, with memories to last a lifetime and to end it paired with a sundowner in hand, watching animals gather around a waterhole, before darkness descends on the concession, is perfect in every way.
On arrival back in camp it is time to freshen up and settle back with a refreshment before sitting down to a well-deserved gourmet dinner, where your guide will keep you entertained with thrilling stories of his experiences in Zimbabwe.
Although the luxuries of your tent may keep you there, if you are up for an exhilarating and unforgettable experience we recommend spending the night in The Dove’s Nest tonight, where you can truly experience real Africa at its finest. Perfect for honeymooners and those looking for a taste of adventure you can learn more about The Dove’s Nest here – https://www.thehide.com/the-doves-nest/
Your Departure
You can choose to do an early morning activity or begin your day with a sizzling full cooked English breakfast. Once you are packed up and ready to depart, you will be taken to your scheduled flight or to meet your transfer vehicle. The team at The Hide will be sad to see you go today but we look forward to your return trip perhaps in the following year, where we will share another exciting safari experience together in Hwange National Park.
