Southern Hwange has a very different character to the rest of the park. Influenced by the Kalahari sands, this region is drier and more open, with wide grasslands, scattered pans, and stretches of mopane woodland. It feels more remote and rugged, with long horizons and fewer visitors.

Wildlife here includes many of Hwange’s signature species — elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, and wild dog — but the south also offers the chance to see more unusual species that favour the arid conditions, such as brown hyena, bat-eared fox, caracal, and gemsbok. The pans and pumped waterholes are magnets for elephants during the dry season, and birdlife is abundant, with kori bustard, secretary bird, and a wide range of raptors often spotted.

Activities focus on game drives, guided bush walks, and in some areas horse-riding safaris, giving guests the chance to experience both the big game and the smaller details of this unique environment. The southern region’s open terrain also makes for excellent photographic opportunities, especially during the late dry season when wildlife congregates at dwindling water sources.

Altogether, Southern Hwange offers a wilder, more remote safari experience — a place of dramatic landscapes, unusual species, and unforgettable encounters.