It’s a wildlife habitat, so slow down!

Aug 07, 2025

There’s a stretch of road between the turnoff from the Victoria Falls or Bulawayo (at Cross Mabale), when you’re driving towards Hwange National Park and in the direction of Gwango land, that you pass through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the region. We have an enormous number of visitors to Hwange each year from all over the world and from across our country. This however, can be problematic when people who don’t live in wildlife spaces are unaware of the consequences of driving where the wildlife roams free.

Over the past few years, stakeholders in the Hwange tourism ecosystem have been tracking the alarmingly growing number of roadkill incidents. We all love to see the beautiful creatures that appear from behind the trees or unexpectedly scurry across the road, and it’s devastating to see any harm come to them. Lions, wild dogs and even young elephants have all been found hit by cars and trains - primarily due to careless driving. Trucks transporting goods, private vehicles in a hurry to meet their drop off times and even local residents have all become part of the increased risk in this wildlife habitat.

One can never erase from their memory the image of a helpless wounded creature. It’s a reminder that Hwange is not a zoo or a fenced reserve. This is a wild haven and anything can happen at any time, including a wildlife traffic jam or a heart racing encounter with a wild cat (large or small).. Driving here takes caution, and care. Hwange is one of the few places left on the planet where people can still witness the wild up close. Here the wilderness is unrestrained, and if you’ll allow it to, it even lets you feel its embrace.

So next time you find yourself driving through Hwange, lift that foot off the pedal (or ask your driver to) and choose to take it all in, at a slow and steady pace. Be alert in the early mornings and late evenings when the nocturnal creatures are still on the prowl - and if you see someone driving too fast, say something. These are small acts, but they make a big, big difference. The fauna do not have a voice but humans do. We must never make them feel like they are in danger in one of the few places where they should all feel safe.