Full Day Hwange National Park Safari from Victoria Falls
Traveler rating
3.6/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Full Day Hwange National Park Safari from Victoria Falls worth booking?
Full Day Hwange National Park Safari from Victoria Falls is a 13-hour experience in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from $300 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.6/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 3.6/5 (5)
- Duration
- 13 hours
- From
- $300 per person
Discover the wonders of Hwange National Park on a full-day safari from Victoria Falls. This adventure showcases Zimbabwe’s largest wildlife reserve, renowned for its vast elephant herds and diverse ecosystems. Enjoy a scenic 2-hour transfer, followed by a full-day game drive in an open 4x4 vehicle, providing unparalleled views of elephants, lions, and more. Delight in a picnic lunch amidst the stunning landscapes and gain insights from an experienced guide throughout your journey. Perfect for families and wildlife enthusiasts, this tour offers an authentic African safari experience. - Full-day guided safari in Hwange National Park from Victoria Falls - Scenic 2-hour transfer each way in an air-conditioned vehicle - Spot diverse wildlife, including elephants, lions, and buffalo - Enjoy a picnic-style lunch in the heart of the park
What you get
About this experience
Discover the wonders of Hwange National Park on a full-day safari from Victoria Falls. This adventure showcases Zimbabwe’s largest wildlife reserve, renowned for its vast elephant herds and diverse ecosystems. Enjoy a scenic 2-hour transfer, followed by a full-day game drive in an open 4x4 vehicle, providing unparalleled views of elephants, lions, and more. Delight in a picnic lunch amidst the stunning landscapes and gain insights from an experienced guide throughout your journey. Perfect for families and wildlife enthusiasts, this tour offers an authentic African safari experience. - Full-day guided safari in Hwange National Park from Victoria Falls - Scenic 2-hour transfer each way in an air-conditioned vehicle - Spot diverse wildlife, including elephants, lions, and buffalo - Enjoy a picnic-style lunch in the heart of the park
What's included
Included
- Picnic lunch and bottled water
- Professional licensed safari guide
- Full-day game drive in open 4x4 safari vehicle
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (Victoria Falls)
- Return transfers to Hwange in air-conditioned vehicle
Not included
- Travel/medical insurance
- Tips & gratuities
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra drinks, etc.)
- National Park entry/conservation fees
What you'll see and do
Hwange National Park
Travelers will enjoy a full-day safari inside Zimbabwe’s largest and most diverse wildlife reserve. Expect to see elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and over 400 bird species while exploring a mix of savannah, woodlands, and waterholes in an open 4x4 safari vehicle. A picnic-style bush lunch is provided inside the park.
360 minutes here
Hwange
Experience thrilling wildlife encounters as your professional guide drives you through Hwange’s wilderness. Learn about animal behavior, ecosystems, and conservation while tracking elephants, predators, and other game across different terrains.
300 minutes here
Stop at Hwange’s famous waterholes where wildlife gathers, especially elephants, buffalo, and antelope. Travelers will enjoy a picnic bush lunch in a scenic, shaded area while continuing to observe animals in their natural environment.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Victoria Falls
Pickup Time: 5:30 am Elephant’s Walk Shopping & Artist Village Address: Parkway Drive, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Google Maps: Elephant’s Walk Important Notes: Please be ready in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup time.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Pickup Time: 5:30 am Elephant’s Walk Shopping & Artist Village Address: Parkway Drive, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Google Maps: Elephant’s Walk Important Notes: Please be ready in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup time.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Apalis Safaris
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Full Day Hwange National Park Safari from Victoria Falls. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Extremely Disappointing and Unsafe Safari Experience with Apalis Safaris – Hwange National Park.
What was intended to be a memorable birthday experience exploring Hwange National Park became an extraordinarily disappointing, frustrating, and, most concerningly, unsafe experience. Our experience with Apalis Safaris raised serious concerns regarding the company's safety standards, operational oversight, professionalism, transparency, and overall commitment to customer care. Serious Safety Concerns and Dangerous Driving One of the most alarming incidents occurred when a driver subcontracted by Apalis Safaris was traveling at an excessive speed along an extremely uneven and bumpy road. While the vehicle was in motion, one of its wheels detached, causing a passenger to be violently thrown into the air. This incident could have resulted in catastrophic injuries. The circumstances raised significant concerns about vehicle maintenance, driver judgment, and the company's oversight of its subcontracted transportation providers. Unfortunately, this was not an isolated concern. Our transportation driver appeared inexperienced and inadequately trained, even openly joking about his poor driving abilities. These remarks became particularly disturbing when he subsequently came close to causing an accident on three separate occasions. Despite being informed that one of the passengers experienced chronic pain, the driver demonstrated little consideration for passenger safety or comfort. His driving fluctuated unpredictably between excessive speeds, sometimes reaching approximately 110 km/h on uneven roads near large commercial trucks, and unnecessarily slow speeds of approximately 15 km/h. These inconsistencies made the journey uncomfortable, stressful, and potentially dangerous. Disregard for Passenger Comfort and Well-Being Adding to our concerns was the unacceptable treatment of passengers during transportation. Throughout the entire four-hour journey to Hwange National Park, the driver and an individual identified as his "office trainee" sat comfortably in the front of the vehicle with air conditioning, while the two paying patrons remained in the back, enduring the heat without air conditioning. This continued for approximately 45 minutes into the return journey before the air conditioning was finally turned on for the passengers. This arrangement demonstrated a troubling lack of consideration for customer comfort and well-being, particularly given that the driver had already been informed of one passenger's chronic pain condition. It is difficult to understand how the company's representatives could prioritize their own comfort while paying customers endured hours of unnecessary discomfort. Such treatment is inconsistent with reasonable expectations of hospitality, professionalism, and customer service. Significant Delays and Failure to Deliver Advertised Services The transportation arrangements were equally unacceptable. What was communicated as a two-hour journey to our designated destination ultimately took approximately four hours, substantially reducing the time available for the safari itself. Additionally, the vehicle incident caused further delays, reducing what was supposed to be a five-hour safari experience to approximately two hours. This represented a significant loss of the experience we had anticipated and paid to receive. Ultimately, a Hwange National Park ranger stepped in to facilitate an abbreviated safari because the company's personnel were unable to deliver the scheduled experience. While we appreciated the ranger's assistance, this further underscored the company's apparent lack of preparedness and operational coordination. Misleading Advertising and Inadequate Meal Arrangements Another significant disappointment involved the advertised lunch arrangements. We were informed that lunch would be provided at a designated location during the safari. Instead, we received a box containing only a few snacks. A staff member acknowledged that this arrangement had been made at the last minute to compensate for what had originally been communicated. This was not consistent with the experience advertised and further contributed to our concerns about the accuracy of the company's representations. Lack of Transparency, Accountability, and Customer Care Beyond the operational failures, what was particularly troubling was the apparent lack of transparency, meaningful communication, and responsiveness to our concerns. At several points throughout the experience, we felt that our safety concerns, discomfort, and disappointment were not being taken seriously. There appeared to be little acknowledgment of the gravity of the incidents or the substantial difference between the services advertised and those ultimately delivered. As paying customers, we reasonably expected safe transportation, competent drivers, reliable logistics, accurate information, appropriate passenger accommodations, and an experience consistent with the company's advertised offerings. Unfortunately, Apalis Safaris fell significantly short of these expectations. The cumulative effect of these failures left us feeling misled, taken advantage of, and deeply dissatisfied with the value and quality of the services provided. Request for Refund and Appropriate Accountability Given the serious safety incidents, substantial reduction in safari time, inadequate transportation conditions, and failure to provide the services as advertised, we believe a full refund is warranted. This request is not simply a reflection of dissatisfaction with an excursion. It is based on significant deficiencies in the delivery of the purchased experience, including circumstances that placed passengers at potential risk of serious injury. Customers should not be expected to bear the financial burden of a company's operational failures, particularly when those failures compromise safety, diminish the experience, and result in services that differ substantially from what was promised. We believe Apalis Safaris has a responsibility to acknowledge these shortcomings, provide an appropriate refund, and demonstrate accountability through meaningful corrective action. A Call for Immediate Improvement I strongly encourage Apalis Safaris to undertake a comprehensive review of its transportation arrangements, subcontractor vetting procedures, vehicle safety standards, driver qualifications, operational planning, passenger accommodations, and customer communication practices. Additionally, the company should immediately review and update its advertisements and descriptions of services to ensure prospective customers receive accurate and transparent information about transportation times, safari duration, meal provisions, and what is actually included in the experience. Customers deserve to make informed decisions based on truthful representations, particularly when participating in activities that involve significant travel, financial investment, and potential safety risks. What should have been a joyful and memorable birthday celebration instead became an experience overshadowed by preventable disruptions, serious safety concerns, unnecessary physical discomfort, and considerable frustration. Most importantly, customer safety should never be compromised, customer comfort should not be treated as an afterthought, and legitimate concerns should never be dismissed or minimized. Based on our experience, we cannot recommend Apalis Safaris to others. We sincerely hope the company takes these concerns seriously, provides an appropriate refund, and implements meaningful corrective measures to prevent future guests from experiencing similar circumstances. A safari should leave guests with unforgettable memories of wildlife and natural beauty—not memories of unsafe transportation, avoidable accidents, misleading expectations, disregard for passenger well-being, and disappointment.
via Tripadvisor
The road to Hwange...
The road to Hwange National Park is really not good after you pass the airport, but the driver was very careful and was friendly to chat to. Hwange National park was beautiful and I saw lots of different animals and birds, but due to the road I arrived a bit late to see the lions. My guide was knowledgeable and a very interesting guy. He was happy to stop and help me get a good photo or even just to stop and watch the animals.
via Viator
What an experience… worth it!
We did a safari tour from Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park and really enjoyed the experience. The drive starts early in the morning and, due to the rough road conditions, takes about 3 hours - so be prepared for a long ride. That said, our driver was very professional and made the journey smooth and comfortable. Once at the park, the game drive was absolutely worth it. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and great at spotting wildlife, which made the experience even better. Hwange is beautiful and full of amazing animals. Overall, despite the long drive, it was definitely worth doing while visiting Vic Falls.
via Tripadvisor
Hwangi not for us
It was a very disappointing trip for us. We booked it on the basis of Hwangi's reputation and paid significantly more than other safari's around on that basis. The more than 6 hrs round trip from Victoria Falls we expected but the park experience was poor. We know nature can be fickle but basically all we saw was one single male lion! Not only didn't we see any Zebra's, Buffalo, Giraffe's, or Hippo's but the guide seemed to imply there wasn't really any chance anyway! Add boring straight gravel tracks and it was just a long expensive disappointing day for us. Chobe was brilliant as a comparison.
via Viator
Solid Experience
Overall, It was a great experience. Everyone involved was very kind and knowledgeable in their work. Nothing is guaranteed in a safari, but even while not seeing everything, I left satisfied.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 13 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Full Day Hwange National Park Safari from Victoria Falls: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Victoria Falls.
How much does Full Day Hwange National Park Safari from Victoria Falls cost?
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Prices start at $300 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Victoria Falls usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Full Day Hwange National Park Safari from Victoria Falls take?
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Plan for about 13 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Victoria Falls is not rushed.
Is Full Day Hwange National Park Safari from Victoria Falls worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.6/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Victoria Falls, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Full Day Hwange National Park Safari from Victoria Falls?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Full Day Hwange National Park Safari from Victoria Falls suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 13-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Full Day Hwange National Park Safari from Victoria Falls?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Victoria Falls can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Victoria Falls and add a light layer if any part of the 13-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Full Day Hwange National Park Safari from Victoria Falls start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Victoria Falls within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Victoria Falls?
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On Outty we rank every Victoria Falls experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Guided Tour of the Falls (Zimbabwe side), Zambezi River Class IV-V White-Water Rafting from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe & Zambia: Guided Tour of the Falls from Both Sides. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Victoria Falls?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Victoria Falls?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Full Day Hwange National Park Safari from Victoria Falls?
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Included: Picnic lunch and bottled water; Professional licensed safari guide; Full-day game drive in open 4x4 safari vehicle; Hotel pickup and drop-off (Victoria Falls); and Return transfers to Hwange in air-conditioned vehicle. Not included: Travel/medical insurance; Tips & gratuities; Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra drinks, etc.); and National Park entry/conservation fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Full Day Hwange National Park Safari from Victoria Falls include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 71 listed pickup locations in and around Victoria Falls. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Full Day Hwange National Park Safari from Victoria Falls offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Full Day Hwange National Park Safari from Victoria Falls?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Full Day Hwange National Park Safari from Victoria Falls wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Full Day Hwange National Park Safari from Victoria Falls if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Victoria Falls. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Full Day Hwange National Park Safari from Victoria Falls?
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Across 5 reviews averaging 3.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, value for money. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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