Hideaways Africa Launches New Northern Hwange Walking Safari Trail

Hideaways Africa has introduced the new Northern Hwange Walking Safari Trail, an eight-night safari experience designed around a guided walking safari through northern Hwange National Park.

The new itinerary combines Victoria Falls with two contrasting areas of northern Hwange, linking Hideaways Nantwich Lodge and Hideaways Bumbusi Wilderness Camp through a series of days spent walking along the Deka River.

The route was personally scouted on foot by Hideaways Africa Managing Director, Garth Jenman, together with a Zimbabwe Professional Guide, to ensure the trail offers both rewarding wildlife encounters and a varied walking experience. Walks begin at approximately 6:00 am and continue until midday, covering around 12 to 15 kilometres at a relaxed pace with regular breaks. Rather than focusing on distance, the experience encourages guests to slow down and experience the landscape through tracking, spoor interpretation, birdlife, and the smaller details often missed from a vehicle.

The itinerary begins with one night at Ilala Lodge in Victoria Falls before guests transfer by light aircraft into Hwange National Park's remote north-western region.

At Hideaways Nantwich Lodge, guests spend three nights exploring one of Hwange’s quieter wildlife areas, known for its large buffalo herds, lion activity, and underground hide overlooking the lodge waterhole. Activities include game drives, and night drives within the private concession.

From Nantwich, the walking trail continues east through northern Hwange. Guided walks traverse remote sections of the park that are rarely visited, gradually moving through changing vegetation, seasonal river systems and wildlife corridors towards the historic Bumbusi region.

Guests then spend four nights at Hideaways Bumbusi Wilderness Camp.

Surrounded by sandstone outcrops, permanent springs and rugged hills, Bumbusi offers a striking contrast to the teak forests around Nantwich. The area combines exceptional walking opportunities with significant cultural and geological heritage, including the nearby Bumbusi National Monument, ancient San rock engravings, hidden gorges and a petrified forest.

On the last day, travellers can explore the walking routes around Bumbusi continue to follow sections of the Deka River and surrounding wilderness, where elephants, buffalo, plains game and predators regularly move between permanent water sources.

The Northern Hwange Walking Safari Trail has been developed for travellers seeking a more immersive safari experience, placing greater emphasis on walking, interpretation

and spending time within the landscape itself rather than simply travelling between wildlife sightings.

The Northern Hwange Walking Safari Trail includes:

• 8 nights across Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park
• 1 night at Ilala Lodge, Victoria Falls
• 3 nights at Hideaways Nantwich Lodge
• 4 nights at Hideaways Bumbusi Wilderness Camp
• Guided multi-day walking safari through northern Hwange
• Guided gzme drives and night drives
• Guided visit to the Bumbusi National Monument
• Return light aircraft transfers between Victoria Falls and Hwange
• Small-group departures led by Zimbabwe Professional Guides

The itinerary operates as a small-group guided experience. General reservations: [email protected]