ZIMBABWE | NDHLOVU DRIVE
NDHLOVU DRIVE [ WRITER: Kim Sparrow ]
Hwange National Park
[ PHOTO: Garth Jenman, Barry Wohluter, Tony Park ]
Hwange holds a character as biodiverse as the ecosystem itself. Being the largest national park in Zimbabwe, covering an impressive 14, 650 sq km, there is much scope for variety. Due to its sheer size, its topography and woodland are different in each area, keeping curiosity consistent. There are three different sections of the park Robins (North West), Sinimatella (Central) and Main Camp (East). Each has its own distinct atmosphere, pans, dominant species and ecology. Much of the park has no permanent natural surface water, so many pans are manmade in a conscious conservation effort for the survival of the park and its inhabitants. Water is pumped into these pans during the dry season, a saviour for many species. In other areas, natural springs or ‘seeps’, provide a lifeline to wildlife year-round. Water is a precious and scarce resource for a park of such magnitude - filled with an abundance of wildlife - some of which travel its length, breadth, and beyond. With over 100 species of mammals, an elephant population some 44 000 strong, and 400 species of bird, the demand for water is high. Then there are predators, insects, flora and fauna - each element of the ecosystem reliant on another.
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TRAVEL & LEISURE | May - Aug 2022
There is a specific section of the Hwange National Park close to the heart of Jenman African Safaris. It stretches for 180km from near Main Camp in the east to the northwest, near Robins. We affectionately refer to it as ‘Ndhlovu Drive’ in admiration of the number of elephants one encounters in the area. These herds of gentle giants frequent certain lifegiving waterholes along the way, the highlights of the journey for both man and beast. These pans are kept topped up by solar-powered pumps and maintained by an organisation worthy of accolade; Bhejane Trust. The trust assists National Parks in a variety of ways, one being the provision of water, ensuring the resource is available over large distances. One may experience the Ndhlovu Drive as a half-day or full-day excursion, beginning at Elephant’s Eye, Hwange in the Sikumi Forest, and driving through to Nantwich private concession in the Robins section of the park. The excursion showcases the diversity
of Hwange; its landscapes, woodlands and wildlife in constant flux. Rise with the sun in the east at Elephant’s Eye, Hwange for an early breakfast before embarking on your journey. Heading into Hwange National Park via Main Camp, one must keep your eyes peeled. As there are no fences between the Sikumi Forest and the main park, lion, elephant, antelope and even the endangered wild dog move freely between. Even before arriving at Main Camp, the park’s administrative headquarters, there’s a lovely pan on the right, Livingi, where elephant are often seen. Heading into the heart of the park, keep an eye out for lion and cheetah in the open grassy areas around Dom Pan. The first source of water is 34.7km away: Nyamandhlovu Pan (S 18°46’493” E 026°53’305”). Its raised hide, which offers views of the open plains and large numbers of wildlife, earns it the title of most popular waterhole in the park. It is frequented by zebra, kudu, elephant and is home to a pride of lion. After a morning coffee, the trip takes you north through teak forests and mopane groves. One passes Guvalala Pan which features
