Summary
A small group led by Hideaways Africa founder Garth Jenman set out on a multi-day walking safari through Hwange National Park, travelling from Hideaways Nantwich Lodge to Hideaways Bumbusi Wilderness Camp along the Deka River. Guided by professional private guides, the journey revealed close wildlife encounters including lions, a leopard, and elephants while exploring some of Hwange’s most remote landscapes. The experience highlights why a Hwange walking safari remains one of the most immersive ways to experience the African bush.
Walking Through Hwange National Park
It’s not every year you celebrate a birthday walking through one of Africa’s wildest landscapes. But in October 2025, Hideaways Africa founder Garth Jenman did exactly that.
Gathering three close friends, he set off to explore Hwange National Park on foot, walking between two of the park’s most remote camps: Hideaways Nantwich Lodge and Hideaways Bumbusi Wilderness Camp.
The route followed the Deka River, moving west to east through a landscape of vleis, rocky riverbeds, and petrified forests.
Day 1: First Steps Along the Deka River
Boots laced and packs ready, the group left Hideaways Nantwich Lodge at first light. With temperatures expected to climb towards 37°C by midday, the plan was simple: walk from six in the morning until noon, then rest during the heat of the day.
Private guides Clint and Sean set the rhythm of the walk, one leading and one sweeping the rear, while the walkers followed quietly in single file.
The first stretch led through Palm Vlei before reaching the seep that feeds the Nantwich River. Fresh tracks patterned the sand, and before long giraffe, impala and warthog appeared.
The morning’s highlight arrived unexpectedly. Two honey badgers moved along the seep line, completely absorbed in their search for food and seemingly unaware of their quiet audience.
Further along, the seep met the Somhlanga River, rocky and beautiful, though its pools were already shrinking late in the season. After crossing the bridge on the Robins road, the group climbed a gentle rise.
Suddenly a deep roar broke the stillness.
A pride of lions rested just over the ridge.
Hearts pounding, the walkers slowly backed away while lionesses and their cubs scattered into the distance, leaving a cloud of dust behind them.
By noon the sun pressed hard. Their vehicle met them and ferried the group to a fly camp along the Deka River.
That afternoon they watched elephants, buffalo and birds gather to drink below camp as the first day drew quietly to a close.
Day 2: The Leopard
Another early start took the hikers back to the previous day’s endpoint.
During the safety briefing, Garth joked that he had “put in an order for a leopard today.”
Barely twenty minutes later, Clint froze mid-step.
“Leopard.”
There in the grass stood a large male leopard watching them before slipping silently away.
The rest of the day followed the Deka River, the guides sharing lessons about trees, spoor and animal behaviour. By midday the group returned to camp to rest, swapping stories while elephants came down to drink below.
That evening they turned in early, ready for the final stretch to Hideaways Bumbusi Wilderness Camp.
Day 3: The Final Push to Bumbusi
Another warm day began before sunrise.
From the previous endpoint along the river, the group continued east through terrain that showed almost no sign of human presence.
Mid-morning, while watching waterbuck across the river, another roar erupted from a nearby thicket. A male lion burst from cover while stalking prey before disappearing over the ridge.
Every day had delivered big cat encounters.
Just before midday the walkers reached Hideaways Bumbusi Wilderness Camp, shaded beneath towering mahogany and rain trees.
After lunch beneath the canopy, elephants, bushbuck, kudu and baboons wandered through camp while the group relaxed beside the pool.
Later that afternoon a game drive along the Bumbusi River ended with sundowners beneath a fig tree as wildlife moved quietly through the surrounding bush.
Day 4: Exploring the Bumbusi Gorge
The final full day began at 5:30 AM with a drive to the Bumbusi Gorge.
The planned seven-kilometre walk stretched to nine as wildlife dictated the route.
Just inside the gorge a large bull elephant drank from a spring he had dug over time. When he moved on, the gorge opened into a vast amphitheatre of rocky hills and petrified forest.
They spotted klipspringer and dassies among the rocks and a breeding herd of elephants that forced the walkers to circle quietly downwind.
Later, Garth recalled seeing what he described as the biggest bull elephant he had ever seen, lying asleep, which prompted yet another detour to give the giant space.
Another herd later blocked their exit, leading the group up the gorge rim where they discovered a hyena den and fossilised tree trunks.
As evening approached, lanterns guided them to a surprise bush dinner beneath the stars.
Coming Full Circle
Back at Hideaways Nantwich Lodge, the group headed out on a final night drive.
It brought one last gift.
At Palm Vlei, a relaxed female leopard and her cub rested quietly within sight of impala. The group lingered for a while, quietly taking in the moment before driving on.
Five days of undisturbed wilderness, close encounters and walking through landscapes that feel unchanged by time.
More than a birthday recce, the journey was a reminder of why a Hwange walking safari remains one of Africa’s most authentic wildlife experiences.
Rumour has it that as they drove toward Victoria Falls the next morning, the group was already planning their return the following October.
Your Experience
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