Detour Through Hwange Sparks Conservation Backlash

A controversial 45km detour through Hwange National Park sparks outrage from conservationists and tour operators, warning it threatens wildlife corridors and tourism as government officials face mounting scrutiny (image source)

Harare — A 45-kilometre detour carved through Hwange National Park to circumvent a damaged section of the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road has ignited fierce opposition from conservation groups and safari operators, who warn the shortcut threatens wildlife corridors, tourism revenue, and the park’s ecological integrity. Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) and the Amalinda Safari Collection jointly wrote to the Transport Ministry, demanding an immediate suspension of the detour, which bisects a critical elephant migration buffer zone.

“We’ve already witnessed herds veering off established routes to avoid noise and heavy vehicles,” said PDC field manager Peter Chibaya. “This shortcut is a shortcut to ecological collapse.”

Local tour operators report a downturn in bookings since construction began. Amalinda Safari’s general manager, Sandra Moyo, noted that guests refuse to traverse active worksites. “Clients expect wilderness, not construction cones,” she said. “This detour undermines our safety assurances and tarnishes Zimbabwe’s flagship tourism product.”

Conservationists also highlight rising wildlife-vehicle collisions in and around Hwange. Online reports cite a 40 percent increase in elephant and rhino road deaths on park perimeters since January 2025, attributing the surge to increased traffic flow and poor signage on unpaved segments. Another report blamed road design flaws and weak enforcement for accelerating wildlife mortalities, warning that continued incidents could reverse decades of anti-poaching gains.

Environmental lawyer Tendai Chitiga argues the reroute flouts Parks and Wildlife Act provisions protecting wilderness areas. “An Environmental Impact Assessment must guide any infrastructure within national parks,” she said. “Authorities bypassed public consultations and exposed both wildlife and travellers to unnecessary risk.” Chitiga has threatened legal action unless the detour is realigned outside park boundaries and proper mitigation measures are put in place.

The Ministry of Transport maintains the detour is a temporary measure requiring minimal earthworks and will be dismantled once the main road is fully rehabilitated. Spokesperson Engineer Blessing Chingarande insisted on a phased reopening to tourists “within the next two months,” but provided no fixed removal date. Critics say the ambiguity may allow the detour to persist indefinitely, normalising traffic through protected habitat.

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Environment and Tourism has summoned the Transport and Environment ministers for a joint briefing next week. Committee chairperson Ruth Sithole confirmed an inquiry “into procedural lapses and long-term ecological impacts,” with recommendations due by the end of November.

In the interim, PDC and Amalinda propose redirecting heavy haulage via the nearby Hwange–Kariba road corridor, outside sensitive zones. They also seek enhanced patrols to combat opportunistic poachers drawn by increased human presence. As Zimbabwe juggles infrastructure upgrade imperatives with Vision 2030’s eco-tourism targets, the Hwange detour controversy underscores the delicate balance between development and conservation. With legal challenges looming and industry pressure mounting, authorities face a pivotal decision: reroute swiftly or risk irreversible damage to one of Africa’s premier wildlife sanctuaries.