Community Rhino Conservation, Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park is a vast expanse of excellent wildlife habitat in northwest Zimbabwe close to the border with Botswana. Much of it is open grassland on Kalahari sand while other parts are woodland and varied savannah. The Ngamo plains in the east are fantastic wildlife country and have an excellent and varied population of animals year-round, which includes lion, elephant, leopard and buffalo. In fact the only bit of the wildlife jigsaw that has been missing is rhino – Hwange is perfect habitat for black and white rhino, but the original population was murdered for their horns some years ago.
Imvelo Safari Lodges are spearheading the return of white rhinos to Hwange
Imvelo Safari Lodges, who have four properties close to or inside Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, have deliberately chosen to operate Bomani and Camelthorn just outside the National Park on community owned land close to Ngamo village, so that both lodges can support the wonderful local people by funding education and healthcare, employing plenty of staff, and directly adding to the community’s revenues.
Imvelo’s Bomani Tented Camp on the Ngamo Plains, Zimbabwe
Imvelo and the Ngamo community were both keen to restore rhinos to their traditional range and have jointly established the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative (CRCI) to open a rhino sanctuary as a stepping stone to reintroducing them into the Park. The people recognise that wildlife has a very valuable role to play in their own futures, by helping to maintain a healthy and balanced eco-system, and attracting tourism to the east of Hwange, and they are keen to use this to help them for the long term. Farming in this region of Zimbabwe is tough, and the meagre rainfall and sandy soils do not provide large crops in a lot of years, and the elders are keen to give their people good opportunities for education and prosperity.
Rhinos rewilding guarded by the Cobras- Community Wildlife Protection Unit
Visitor fees, supporting both the rhino sanctuary and village funds, combined with tourism revenue from Bomani and Camelthorn, significantly benefit the Ngamo community. Other nearby communities have noticed what’s happening and seen how Ngamo is benefitting, and some have approached CRCI to set up further sanctuaries – it’s great news for rhinos, Hwange National Park, conservation, and the people of Ngamo village and others nearby.
The local school pupils experience rhino up close
This year we are proud to be supporting Imvelo Safari Lodges’ Community Rhino Conservation Initiative. This initiative is a prime example of how tourism and conservation can work hand-in-hand to protect endangered species.
Goliath Safaris[/caption]
Chad Katavi[/caption]
Jack's Camp[/caption]
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