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Rhinos return to Zimbabwe and a new kind of safari starts to take shape in Tsholotsho

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BY KEVIN RUSHBY

Near the Hwange national park, a reintroduction project protects animals, attracts tourists and ensures locals aren’t neglected

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Inside a stockade of tall wooden stakes, cattle are waiting to be let out for the day.

Golden sunlight stutters through the acacia trees and lights up the homestead beyond, a large, bare-earth courtyard containing five neatly thatched mud-walled buildings.

Hygiene Moyo (75) and her teenage granddaughter Lucricia live here, just outside one of Zimbabwe’s largest and most important national parks, Hwange.

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They take me to greet their favourite animal, Booster the bull, who comes trotting across the enclosure when called, pushing his nose forward to be scratched.

Ten new calves mill around in a separate inner stockade, eagerly waiting to be reunited with their mothers.

Not all of the herd, however, are present. Since the start of the year three cows have been killed by hyenas.

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“They attack during the day,” says Hygiene.

“The dogs sometimes drive them away, but there are so many of them now.”

It isn’t the only danger: lions and elephants stroll through the isolated village of Ziga at night, and the latter regularly raid Hygiene’s maize crop, her main source of food.

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These are the perils of living in an area called Tsholotsho, community land that is alongside the national park.

It is a vast region of open woodland, about 70 miles north-west of the city of Bulawayo, and which is home to lots of hyenas, as well as about 45,000 elephants.

Surprisingly, however, the community land on which Hygiene lives is now the setting for an ambitious rhino reintroduction project and – even rarer than the rhino itself – the programme has been instigated and welcomed by local people.

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The day before I visited Hygiene’s homestead, I accompanied Kusasa and Thuza, two male rhinos, on an epic journey across Africa to be released into a fenced reserve.

With this duo, Tsholotsho and Hwange become home to all of the continent’s “big five” animals (lion, leopard, buffalo and elephant are the others).

In terms of preserving African wildlife, Hwange is vital.

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This is not only because the elephant population is one of the largest in Africa but because the 14,600 km2 park is critical in what is known as Kaza, the Kavango Zambezi Conservation Area.

It is an area twice the size of the UK, connecting the lush low veld on the Mozambique-Zimbabwe border across the continent to the deserts of Namibia.

Without it, the long-term future of large mammals like elephants and lions would be bleak: restricted to increasingly isolated pockets of land, unable to migrate during droughts or access the genetic diversity of other areas.

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But without community cooperation none of this is going to be possible, and Tsholotsho holds a vital geographic position.

In Ziga tourists are rarely seen, though the advantages of their presence are easy to find.

I walk with the cows to the solar pump that provides water – a pump installed and maintained by tourist money.

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All around, cattle are streaming in, running in some cases, eager to get a drink.

The water pump is only one benefit tourism has brought: the school has books, dinners and accommodation, all provided through cooperation with a local safari company.

“If the rhino brings benefits,” village headman Andrew Ncube says, “they can stay.

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” That kind of attitude represents a major shift in local opinion, a shift that has not happened by accident.

This change is a story that begins in 1996 when game ranger Mark “Butch” Butcher and social worker Njabulo Zondo decided to combine their efforts.

Butch had a successful safari business, but could see that community cooperation was essential to preserving wildlife; Zondo had spent years in rural development and wanted to use tourism to boost local services in an area with overwhelming unemployment and social problems.

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Since then, their achievements are staggering: dozens of school classrooms and teachers’ houses built, clean water brought to more than 100,000 people and their animals, 28,000 books shipped in, as well as life-changing dental and eye treatment through mobile clinics.

They built Camelthorn Lodge, a safari lodge on community land, run by locals, and have trained dozens of guides, hotel staff, logistical support crew – even sending several to university (the first from the area).

All this work has also enriched the tourist experience and led to school visits, cookery and weaving classes, and plans for a homestay programme.

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The rhino reintroduction, however, is a huge leap in the dark. Until about two decades ago, tourists were seen by most villagers in a similar light to colonial hunters: an unfortunate blight that visited the region, demanding that wild animals were solely theirs while giving back almost nothing.

Subsistence farmers saw elephants merely as a pest that trampled crops, a plague that could kick you to the brink of starvation.

Poachers, on the other hand, were Robin Hood heroes.

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Butch and Zondo’s scheme, though, has eroded those deeply held beliefs.

There was also a new generation coming up, less obsessed with cattle herd size as the sole measure of success in life, and able to see a bigger picture.

Then, in 2016, an elderly village headman, Baba Mvelo, dropped a bombshell.

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He wanted rhinos to return before he died. White rhinos had been wiped out by hunters before the first world war, then again by poachers in 2004.

But Baba Mvelo was adamant: he wanted them back.

With his support, the idea gained momentum. – The Guardian

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Victoria Falls Safari Collection wins top honours at 2025 AZTA awards

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BY NOMMY VUMA

The Victoria Falls Safari Collection, operated by the Africa Albida Tourism hospitality group, has reaffirmed its leadership position in Zimbabwe’s tourism sector after two of its properties once again claimed top honours at the 2025 Association of Zimbabwe Travel Agents (AZTA) Awards held at Hyatt Regency Harare TheMeikles on 06 September.

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For a remarkable 27th consecutive year, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge was voted Best Safari Lodge in Zimbabwe, while Lokuthula Lodges won Best Self-Catering Facility in Zimbabwefor the 11th year, highlighting the collection’s consistent delivery of world-class hospitality.  Lokuthula Lodges was also recognised as First Runner-Up in the Best B&B / Guesthouse category, highlighting its broad appeal.  To complement these awards, Victoria Falls Safari Collection Sales Executive Wendy Bourne was honoured with the Best Voluntary Service Award for the 12th time, recognising her outstanding commitment to supporting the travel trade.

“These awards bear witness to the dedication and passion of our entire team, whose commitment to excellence ensures that our guests continue to enjoy unforgettable experiences in Victoria Falls,” said Managing Director Nigel Frost. “We are humbled by the trust and confidence our industry partners continue to place in us, and we are inspired to keep striving for even higher standards.”

The awards come at a time of growth for the Victoria Falls Safari Collection. Following the successful launch in April 2025 of Queen Nandi Place, a multi-purpose venue for upmarket meetings and events, the collection is preparing to unveil additional MICE facilities, including two breakaway rooms and a catering area designed to be used for various events.  

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Ross Kennedy, Director and Founder, added: “For Victoria Falls Safari Lodge to be voted Best Safari Lodge in Zimbabwe for 27 consecutive years is a truly remarkable achievement, and it reflects the unwavering support of the travel trade as well as the loyalty of our guests. At the same time, Lokuthula Lodges continues to shine as Zimbabwe’s favourite self-catering facility, highlighting the diversity of our collection. As we expand our offerings with new world-class MICE facilities, we remain committed to innovation, sustainability, and enhancing the appeal of Victoria Falls as a destination for both leisure and business travellers.”

The Victoria Falls Safari Collection comprises Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls Safari Club, Victoria Falls Safari Suites, Lokuthula Lodges, Victoria Falls Safari Spa, The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show, and Queen Nandi Place, all located on the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate just 4km from the natural world wonder.

Hosted annually, the AZTA Awards are recognised as one of Zimbabwe’s most prestigious travel industry accolades, with winners voted for by travel agents across the country.

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Conservation amid crisis: How VFWT adapted to 2024 drought

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (VFWT) has released its 2024 Impact Report, detailing a year marked by unprecedented challenges due to severe drought conditions across Zimbabwe and much of Southern Africa. The report highlights the organization’s strategic adaptations to support local wildlife and communities during one of the most difficult drought years on record.

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Unlike previous droughts where water scarcity was the primary concern, this year underscored a more complex reality. VFWT Chairperson Bruno De Leo emphasized that the lack of grazing for both wildlife and livestock emerged as an even greater threat. Animals had to venture farther for food, increasing the potential for human-wildlife conflict and competition for dwindling resources. De Leo noted, “The year 2024 underscored the importance of connectivity for wildlife and the need to maintain corridors that allow movement and relieve pressure on natural resources.”

In response to these challenges, VFWT implemented several proactive measures. Collaborating with the rural communities involved in its Herding 4 Hope project, VFWT facilitated early livestock sales to minimize losses and planned for dry-season grazing in more distant areas to conserve energy among livestock. The organization also focused on regenerating boreholes to ensure that villages without adequate water had access to crucial resources.

Notably, VFWT’s Wildlife Disease & Forensics Laboratory made significant strides, establishing itself as a key player in wildlife forensics. In 2024, the laboratory handled over 280 cases and engaged in crucial research on transboundary animal diseases affecting regional wildlife. The lab successfully validated targeted sequencing for species identification using new technologies, reinforcing its capabilities in addressing wildlife crime. Remarkably, the lab played an integral role in international ivory seizure investigations and developed a genetic panel for black rhinos, demonstrating a strong commitment to combatting poaching and ensuring species protection.

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A particularly significant initiative was the launch of a tuberculosis surveillance project for lions within Hwange National Park. Following confirmed deaths from the disease, this project seeks to assess its prevalence among the lion population and understand transmission dynamics. With nine lions set to be sampled in late 2025, the data gathered will contribute to vital conservation knowledge.

The report emphasizes the importance of continued support from donors and stakeholders, enabling VFWT to maintain healthy animal populations and develop sustainable solutions for the future of biodiversity in the region. In a challenging year, the dedication and adaptability of the VFWT team stood out, reinforcing its commitment to conservation and community engagement.

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ZTA gears up for tourism month with significant expo in Mutare

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) is poised for a vibrant September as it kicks off Tourism Month activities, highlighted by the highly anticipated Sanganai/Hlanganani Kumbanayi Tourism Expo in Mutare.

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This year’s event set for the 10th to the 12th of this month is set to showcase the country’s diverse tourism offerings and foster investment opportunities.

At a press conference held today in Harare and shared by the ZTA on X, Barbara Rwodzi, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, expressed optimism regarding this year’s edition, asserting that it will be a “resounding success.”

The Expo features a robust lineup of activities, attracting participation from 83 international buyers from key source markets, 11 local buyers, and a total of 411 registered exhibitors.

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Minister Rwodzi emphasized the ongoing infrastructure upgrades in Manicaland, which include improved road conditions, the refurbishment of the Grand Reef Aerodrome, daily flights operated by Air Zimbabwe, and a luxury train service connecting Harare and Mutare. These enhancements are anticipated to stimulate job creation and promote long-term economic growth.

Joined by Deputy Minister, Tongai Mnangagwa, Rwodzi acknowledged the role of the media in amplifying the visibility of the Expo and urged for continued coverage to maximize outreach.

In addition to the Expo, Tourism Month will feature a Tourism Symposium, various sports tourism activities, including a marathon, and celebrations for World Tourism Day, marking September as a pivotal moment for Zimbabwe’s tourism sector.

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