ATH at National Elephant Management Strategy Workshop
The Association for Tourism Hwange (ATH) participated in the National Elephant Management Strategy (NEMS) workshop which was held on 25-26 June 2025 at Hwange Safari Lodge. This is a national initiative aimed at shaping the future of elephant conservation in Zimbabwe. As an organisation deeply committed to the protection and sustainable management of Hwange National Park and its surrounding ecosystems, ATH welcomed the opportunity to contribute to this collaborative platform.
NEMS emphasised the need for stronger, coordinated anti-poaching strategies across Hwange and neighboring protected areas. The strategy highlighted the importance of data-driven decision-making. Through partnerships with scientific institutions and use of tools like GPS tracking, camera traps, and geospatial mapping, the workshop underscored the need to understand elephant movement patterns, population dynamics and habitat use.
NEMS echoed the importance of placing communities at the heart of conservation. Elephants hold deep cultural and economic value across Hwange, and sustainable tourism offers a bridge between preservation and prosperity. By engaging local communities as custodians of wildlife and showcasing their cultural heritage to visitors, ATH supports inclusive growth and human-wildlife coexistence.
The workshop emphasised investment in skills development, technology, and institutional support. A recurring theme throughout the workshop was the need for effective coordination among all stakeholders. ATH supports integrated landscape-level planning and open information-sharing through forums, digital platforms and joint programmes. By aligning with broader conservation efforts and maintaining regular dialogue with government agencies, ATH ensures that its tourism operations contribute meaningfully to national priorities.
ATH’s Role Moving Forward
Participation in the National Elephant Management Strategy workshop reaffirms ATH’s commitment to being an active partner in elephant conservation. Hwange is home to one of Africa’s largest elephant populations, and the need for a united, adaptive, and inclusive management approach has never been more urgent.
Through our conservation tourism model, we will continue to:
Support anti-poaching and monitoring initiatives
Promote coexistence through responsible tourism practices
Advocate for community involvement and benefit-sharing
Strengthen conservation education and local capacity.