Etosha National Park vs Hwange National Park

    Compare Etosha National Park and Hwange National Park side-by-side: wildlife, lodges, climate, and best time to visit.

    Etosha National Park

    Namibia

    Etosha is Namibia's premier wildlife destination, famous for its vast salt pan visible from space and its incredible concentration of wildlife around waterholes, especially during the dry season. Visitors can expect to see four of the Big Five (rhino, elephant, lion, leopard), along with large herds of zebra, wildebeest, springbok, and giraffe.

    Hwange National Park

    Zimbabwe

    Zimbabwe's largest and most famous national park, Hwange is renowned for its vast herds of elephants, often numbering in the thousands, especially around its numerous waterholes during the dry season. It also boasts a high concentration of predators, including lions, leopards, and cheetahs, making it a premier Big Five safari destination with diverse landscapes ranging from Kalahari sands to Mopane woodlands.

    Etosha National Park
    Hwange National Park

    Size & Status

    Area
    22,270 km²
    14,651 km²
    IUCN Category
    II
    II
    Malaria risk
    Low
    moderate
    Crowding
    Very quiet
    Very quiet

    Wildlife

    Total species
    89
    39
    Mammals
    2
    2
    Birds
    68
    11

    Lodges

    Total lodges
    0
    2
    Eco lodges
    0
    0
    Family lodges
    0
    0

    Access

    Nearest airport
    Okaukuejo Airport
    Airport of Linkwasha
    Airport distance
    24.1 km
    61.4 km