By John Cassim
Harare, Zimbabwe – As Zimbabwe joins the global community in celebrating September as World Tourism Month, the wildlife sector is poised to attract significant numbers of both local and international tourists. This is especially noteworthy given the sector’s strong performance during the first half of the year.
The Zimbabwean government, through the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), has organised a series of events to commemorate Tourism Month. These include tours to wildlife sanctuaries for domestic and international media, as well as buyers.
A highlight of this year’s festivities will be the 17th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo. During this event, both local and international media, along with buyers, will have the opportunity to explore key destinations throughout the country.
Gonarezhou and Hwange National Parks are among the top choices for visitors during this month, as revealed by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbra Rwodzi, in Harare on Wednesday.
“I am pleased to announce that our local media will be joining buyers on the same tours. These media representatives will be traveling from Victoria Falls, Bulawayo, Harare, and Mutare to explore Masvingo and the Gonarezhou and Chiredzi, before returning to Bulawayo,” declared Minister Rwodzi during a media briefing.
Zimbabwe proudly boasts the Big Five scattered throughout its national parks, although both Gonarezhou and Hwange National Parks offer a complete set.
Gonarezhou, aptly named “The Place of Elephants,” is Zimbabwe’s second-largest national park and a renowned wilderness area. Spanning over 5,053 square kilometers, from the Save River in the north to the Mwenezi River in the south, the park showcases some of southern Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes, including the iconic Chilo Gorge.
Gonarezhou stands as a testament to successful conservation efforts, resulting from a collaborative partnership between the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the Frankfurt Zoological Society.
The park is home to most of Africa’s iconic large mammals, including all the Big Five. This achievement is particularly noteworthy following the reintroduction of black rhino in 2021 after a 27-year absence.
The elephant population is estimated at 11,500, and buffalo herds of up to 500 individuals are sometimes observed. Other wildlife includes giraffe, zebra, hippo, warthog, baboon, and a diverse array of carnivores and antelope.
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest national park, is located in the north-western part of the country. Spanning 14,650 square kilometers, it is home to the largest elephant population in Zimbabwe.
Hwange is renowned for hosting Africa’s largest population of endangered wild dogs (painted dogs). Additionally, rare species such as roan, sable, and springbok can also be found within the park.
In addition to four of the Big Five—elephant, lion, leopard, and buffalo—Hwange boasts a diverse ecosystem supporting 100 mammal species and nearly 400 bird species.
Zimbabwe, in alignment with the global community, will commemorate World Tourism Day on September 27th.Established by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 1980, this day aims to raise awareness about the economic, social, cultural, and environmental significance of tourism.
In Zimbabwe, the celebrations coincide with a renewed global tourism recovery, and the country has also witnessed substantial growth during the 2023/2024 period.
“The first half of the year saw a remarkable 27% increase in international arrivals, reaching 751,483 compared to 592,567 during the same period in 2023,” stated Minister Rwodzi.
She further added, “Tourism receipts also experienced a 24% surge, reaching US$493 million from US$398 million in the first half of 2023. The sector continues to be a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economy, contributing approximately 5.7% of GDP and 3.5% of national employment. This underscores its crucial role in driving economic development and job creation.”