Hwange National Park sits at the junction of three countries. Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia are all within two hours of Hwange Main Camp, which makes the park unusual as a safari base: you can spend the morning on a game drive and the afternoon at Victoria Falls, or cross into Botswana for a Chobe river cruise the same day.
Victoria Falls (1.5-2 Hours)
Victoria Falls is the most popular day trip from Hwange. The drive from Main Camp follows the A8 highway north through Dete and joins the Victoria Falls road, taking approximately 1.5-2 hours depending on your starting point in the park.
The falls viewing walk runs along the gorge edge through spray forest on the Zimbabwean side, with around 16 viewing points from the Cataract View down to the Danger Point. Entry costs approximately USD 30 per person as of 2026. The walk takes 1-2 hours at a comfortable pace.
Beyond the falls, the town offers helicopter flights over the gorge (from around USD 160 for 12 minutes), sunset cruises on the Zambezi (from around USD 45 per person), and a bungee jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge (USD 160). A full day comfortably covers the falls walk and one or two activities. Return to Hwange before sunset to avoid driving park roads in the dark.
Many Hwange lodges run regular transfers to Victoria Falls. Charter flights between Hwange National Park Airport and Victoria Falls Airport take 20-30 minutes and cost from approximately USD 180-220 per person one way with operators including United Air Charters and Wilderness Air. The flight gives aerial views over the Hwange forest and the Zambezi escarpment.
Chobe National Park, Botswana (2-2.5 Hours)
Chobe National Park in northern Botswana is the second most practical day trip from Hwange. The Kazungula border crossing is approximately 2 hours from Main Camp. From the crossing, the town of Kasane sits directly on the Chobe River and serves as the departure point for all Chobe activities.
The most popular option is the afternoon boat cruise along the river, which passes large elephant herds drinking and crossing at the water’s edge at sunset. The cruise typically runs from around 3pm to 6pm and costs approximately USD 40-60 per person through operators in Kasane including Chobe Safari Lodge and Elephant Valley Lodge. Morning game drives into Chobe by 4x4 run from around USD 50-80 per person.
The combination of a morning game drive and an afternoon river cruise makes for a full Chobe day. Bring your passport and check visa requirements for Botswana: most nationalities can enter on arrival for short visits but confirm before travel. Most Hwange lodges that handle cross-border trips pre-arrange border formalities and can bundle both activities into a single package.
Sinamatella: The Northern Hwange (1-1.5 Hours Within the Park)
For guests staying in the southern part of Hwange around Main Camp or Ngamo, a drive north to Sinamatella Camp opens a different section of the park. Sinamatella sits on a high escarpment above the Sinamatella Valley, roughly 50 km from Main Camp on park roads, taking 1-1.5 hours by 4x4.
The Sinamatella area is known for dramatic elevated landscape views and different wildlife concentrations from the southern waterholes. Large herds of buffalo and sable antelope are common in the north, and the valley views from the escarpment are excellent at sunrise. The camp has a picnic site and basic facilities including a small shop. It works as a half-day detour for guests with their own vehicle and a valid park permit, avoiding repetition of the waterholes already covered on earlier drives.
Hwange Town and Dete
Hwange town, 10 km north of the Main Camp entrance on the A8 road, is a functional service town with a petrol station, supermarket and a few basic restaurants. It is not a destination in itself but is the practical stop for resupplying groceries or filling the fuel tank before a long day out.
Dete, further north along the A8 near the Dete Vlei, serves a similar function and sits closer to Kennedy One and Kennedy Two waterholes. Neither town has tourist attractions, but both work as a break from camp if you need reliable mobile phone signal, which is patchy inside the park.
Getting Around for Day Trips
Most organised day trips from Hwange operate from lodge reception desks. Self-drivers should fill the fuel tank in Hwange town or Dete before setting out on long runs to Victoria Falls or Chobe, as filling stations do not exist inside the park. Check your camp’s gate times before planning a departure: Hwange Main Camp gates open at 6am in summer and close at 6pm, and returning after gate closure requires permission and a late fee. Carry water and snacks for road trips, particularly in the hot season from October to November when temperatures inside the vehicle can be intense.