A 50-year Tradition: Participating in Hwange’s Full-Moon Game Count
By Alex Tett
Experience a hands-on, 24-hour wildlife survey conducted under the brilliant glow of the full moon. For over 50 years, local Zimbabweans have quietly cherished a remarkable tradition: the Annual Hwange Waterhole Game Count. Organized alongside Wildlife and Environment Zimbabwe, this iconic conservation initiative brings together passionate locals—including my Zimbabwean grandmother, Jenny—to count wildlife across roughly 100 water holes over a 24-hour period. Having recently completed the count myself, I can tell you first-hand: there is simply no other safari experience like it.
Why The Count Matters
Active tracking is one of modern conservation’s most effective tools. By recording species, group sizes, and arrival times, counters create an accurate map of how animals move, how predators hunt, and how nocturnal species adapt during the dry season.
Stationed at a private pan from noon to noon with expert guides, your job is simple: sit quietly, observe, and record every animal that stops to drink.
What Makes It Transformational
True Citizen Science: Your notes feed into one of Southern Africa’s longestrunning wildlife datasets.
The Bush Under a Full Moon: Artificial lights and fires aren't allowed, so natural moonlight illuminates the waterhole You’ll witness elusive nocturnal behaviors standard game drives miss entirely.
Pure Wildlife Immersion: Instead of chasing animals, you sit back and watch an entire ecosystem unfold naturally.
Supported Comfort: Guides keep you fueled with hot meals, endless coffee, and snacks right in the bush.
The Midnight Watch Experience
Many iconic species—giraffes, sable antelopes, and buffalo— wait for the full moon to drink so they can scan for predators. On our watch, over 100 elephants filtered through the darkness. Just past 1:00 a.m., a massive herd glided out of the trees. We quickly realized we had to count them in single file on their walk-in; once gathered shoulder-to-shoulder at the pan, they merged into one uncountable shadow.
We worked in a tight team: two observers on binoculars counting heads, and one recorder logging time, numbers, and juvenile splits. As temperatures plunged, we stayed sharp by pacing, swapping stories, and leaning on hot coffee.
Join the Count
Ever dreamed of playing a hands-on role in African wildlife conservation? Join the legendary Hwange Waterhole Census in October 2027 and pair this once-in-a-lifetime experience with stays at luxury tented camps across Hwange National Park, or combine it with our Charming Cape Town, Delta Delights & The Mist of Mosi.