By Brenna Matendere
Concerns raised by key tourism and wildlife stakeholders over the proposed road detour through the Hwange Game Park buffer zone have yielded positive results following an urgent crisis meeting held in Harare yesterday.
The 45-kilometre detour, planned between Cross Mabale and Cross Dete, had sparked widespread opposition due to fears it would disrupt ecological systems and harm wildlife, potentially leading to losses in tourism revenue.
Stakeholders had warned Asphalt Products—the contractor rehabilitating the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road—that the detour area lies within a critical wildlife corridor connecting Hwange National Park to surrounding communal lands.
Conservation organisations such as Painted Dog Conservation expressed deep concern, noting they had invested heavily in community and wildlife safety initiatives in the area.
In written responses to Gemnation, Asphalt Products confirmed that both short- and long-term solutions have been agreed upon by all parties.
“In line with promoting transparency, a meeting was held between the Department of Roads, the contractor (Asphalt Products), and key tourism and conservation stakeholders, including representatives from Amalinda Safari Collection, African Sun Hotel, and Painted Dog Conservation,” said the company.
“The concerns regarding potential impacts on wildlife, ecology, and tourism were discussed at length. The collaborative outcomes included measures such as dust suppression, speed-reducing humps, and a phased work plan to minimise use of the detour route where possible.”
The company also revealed that a long-term plan is underway to shift heavy coal haulage from road to rail, leveraging the revitalised capacity of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ)—a move expected to ease pressure on wildlife corridors.
Additionally, the tourism industry is reportedly exploring the feasibility of funding advanced soil stabilisers for the detour, which would reduce the road’s environmental footprint.
“The Ministry’s approach is to balance essential infrastructure development with our responsibility to protect the region’s wildlife and tourism economy. We remain committed to transparent collaboration with all stakeholders,” the company added.
Prior to the latest developments, leading wildlife partner Chrysalis Trading (t/a Amalinda Safari Collection)—operators of Sable Valley, Khulu Bush Camp, and Ivory Lodge—had submitted a letter of concern to authorities.
The letter, addressed to the Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Asphalt Products, and the Forestry Commission, warned that the proposed detour would jeopardize the ecological balance and tourism viability of the Hwange area.
“We support national infrastructure development and appreciate the challenges of major construction projects.
“However, the current detour plan poses disproportionate and potentially irreversible risks to the area’s ecological integrity and the local tourism industry,” wrote Amalinda Safari Collection.
The organisation added that the proposed route—channelling heavy traffic through minor district roads—would increase transit distances by 45 kilometres, degrade road surfaces, and disrupt guest transfers to Hwange National Park.
A visit by Gemnation to the affected area confirmed that the proposed route would cut through critical migratory corridors, increasing the risk of wildlife fatalities and undermining ongoing conservation work supported by tourism revenues.
In a follow-up statement, Amalinda Safari Collection appealed for a collaborative review of the detour plan.
“We propose an urgent discussion to explore the adoption of an existing commercial route as the preferred alternative, which would bypass these sensitive wildlife areas and minimise pressure on shared infrastructure,” the company said.
The latest consensus reached in Harare marks a significant step toward safeguarding both wildlife and the tourism economy in Hwange—demonstrating how dialogue between government, private sector, and conservation partners can achieve sustainable development outcomes.
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