ATH Raises Concerns Over Proposed Hwange Road Detour
The Association for Tourism Hwange, representing tourism and conservation stakeholders across the Hwange region, has expressed concern regarding the proposed detour route intended to facilitate rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, specifically the 16-kilometre stretch between Cross Mabale and Cross Dete. While ATH and our partners fully support the Government of Zimbabwe’s commitment to modernising national infrastructure, the current detour proposal redirecting traffic through a route from Cross Mabale via Mpofu Turn and Dete Shops back to Cross Dete raises serious environmental, safety and socio-economic concerns.
This route presents several significant environmental, safety and socio-economic risks:
Wildlife Safety and Conservation Impact
The proposed detour cuts through areas adjacent to Hwange National Park, home to elephants, zebras, antelope and many other species that move freely between park and communal lands. Heavy-vehicle traffic at high speeds risks collisions, behavioural disruption and habitat degradation
Community and Tourist Safety
The existing roads between Mpofu, Dete and Cross Dete are narrow and unsuited for continuous truck movement. The danger to villagers, livestock and tourists, particularly open game-drive vehicles carrying international visitors, cannot be overstated
Infrastructure and Road Integrity
These local roads were never designed to withstand the pounding of heavy tankers and long-haul vehicles. Sustained pressure will destroy the surface, causing long-term damage and costly rehabilitation needs
Environmental and Aesthetic Impact
Increased litter, noise and dust pollution threaten to diminish Hwange’s status as a pristine wildlife and tourism destination. Overnight truck parking and roadside dumping could quickly erode the visitor experience
Legal and Procedural Concerns
Engineering and environmental standards stipulate that detours remain within close proximity to the affected stretch, typically within 5-10 km. The proposed 45 km deviation through sensitive wildlife zones calls compliance into question and necessitates review
ATH urges Asphalt Products, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, to consider safer, more sustainable alternatives including:
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Constructing a temporary 16 km detour parallel to the main highway, as other contractors have done along this route
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Utilising existing dirt roads northeast of the A8 highway that pass through more populated areas rather than wildlife corridors, roads that could be graded and improved to handle temporary traffic while benefiting surrounding communities
Hwange’s identity is built on coexistence, between people, wildlife and progress. From Painted Dog Conservation, Soft Foot Alliance and Panthera, to schools such as Detema, Makwandara, Chilisa and Marist Brothers, the region thrives on shared responsibility. Tourism partners including Gwango Wildlife Safaris, Wildtrack Adventures, Iganyana Tented Camp, Ride Zimbabwe, The Hide, Hwange Safari Lodge and many others have spent years preserving the natural beauty that draws global visitors to this region. Together with national institutions such as the Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, this coalition stands united in protecting Hwange’s ecological integrity. ATH recently drafted a letter to be sent to the contractor, Asphalt Products which can be viewed here.
Recently, Forbes named Zimbabwe the top country to visit in 2025, a recognition of our nation’s natural heritage and hospitality. This proposed detour, however, threatens to undermine that achievement by compromising the very ecosystems and communities that earned us such distinction. ATH respectfully calls for an urgent review of the detour proposal, guided by full stakeholder engagement and adherence to environmental and engineering standards. We stand ready to collaborate with government ministries, local councils and conservation bodies to identify a practical, responsible and sustainable solution, one that improves the road ahead without eroding the wild heart that defines Hwange.