Zimbabwe: New entry pavilion at Hwange National Park nears completion! [update]

update (08 July 2025): The multipurpose pavilion at Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe is almost complete and set to be opened to the public by the end of July 2025. According to ZimParks Director General, Dr Edson Gandiwa, ZimParks is only waiting to complete a few civil works. 

Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe is set to welcome visitors through a brand-new, state-of-the-art entry pavilion, now 95% complete. Located in Matabeleland North Province in north-west Zimbabwe, the US$1.4 million one-stop facility is expected to significantly enhance tourism, conservation, and park security.
Construction of the new access hub began in October 2023 as part of a joint initiative between the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). The project is designed to modernize Hwange National Park's entrance and streamline operations.

Once complete, the new pavilion will replace the current boom gate and feature:

• a visitor centre and tourism office (relocated from the main camp),
• ranger accommodation
• a car park,
• a high-security checkpoint equipped with smart surveillance technology,
• a craft shop supporting local small enterprises and artisans.

Situated near the railway line along the boundary between Hwange National Park and Forestry Commission land, the facility comprises twin buildings on either side of the road, connected by a modern entrance gate.

In addition to enhancing the visitor experience, the pavilion is set to:

• strengthen anti-poaching measures through advanced monitoring systems,
• improve oversight of park activities and reduce revenue leakage,
• create a more streamlined and secure entry point for local and international tourists.

With Victoria Falls just a two-hour drive away, ZimParks hopes the new facility will attract more visitors and support regional tourism growth. The project marks a significant milestone in efforts to balance conservation with economic development in Zimbabwe's largest national park.

Home to approximately 45,000 elephants, over 100 species of mammals, and more than 400 bird species, Hwange National Park is one of Zimbabwe's premier wildlife destinations and a vital part of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA).
Spanning an incredible 520,000 km² - an area nearly the size of Germany and Austria combined - KAZA TFCA is the largest transfrontier conservation area in the world. It was established to protect biodiversity, promote regional conservation cooperation, and stimulate sustainable tourism across southern Africa.