FUNDRAISING FOR ZAMBEZI VALLEY WILDLIFE

The Tashinga Initiative’s crew recently travelled with a potential donor to Mkanga in the Chewore Safari Area, to Kariba and Marongora in Charara and Hurungwe Safari Areas and to the beautiful Chizarira National Park.

Given specific timeframes in respect of this funding disbursement, the site visits had to be undertaken during the rainy season. We were very pleased to be able to reach and return from Mkanga Field Station in the Chewore without any difficulties, except for a couple of slithery moments on the wet and muddy access road from Nyakisikana Gate. Crossing the tributary of the Sapi River, where that high-level bridge has been washed away completely, passed without any difficulty as barely one inch of water was in the riverbed, despite much rain in the area. Several of the high-level bridges that span smaller rivers flowing from the Zambezi Escarpment into the Zambezi River, had serious issues with eroded approaches. It seemed that just luck was holding these bridges in place! These need urgent attention to support the forthcoming photographic and hunting safari tourism.

The vegetation was deliciously lush, green and seemingly impenetrable.

The Ranger Community based at Mkanga gave the visitors a warm welcome and showed them around the station, especially the solar water installation provided by The Tashinga Initiative which now has to be moved to a new but nearby site , due to the existing poor quality borehole.

Visiting Kariba is always such a pleasure, as the extent of the blue-blue vistas of Lake Kariba unfold, when travelling down that old elephant path, now the main tar road to Kariba. Tourists have a revived interest in visiting Kariba, and houseboats especially are well booked, as are a few of the locally well-known safari lodges, such as Spurwing Island, Rhino Safari Camp, Musango and Gache Gache.

The availability of the clean and comfortable Parks Lodges at Kariba’s Nyanyana Camp should definitely not be overlooked! The Tashinga Initiative is looking to provide a solar water system there to ensure regular water for the Ranger community and tourists alike. The Visitors enjoyed meeting Rangers and their families from Nyanyana and Peter’s Point.

The Kariba community have engaged on a programme of conservation awareness and tourism promotion, including an effort from a young group of volunteers from Kariba’s Nyamhunga Town who are working towards a brighter future for Kariba.

The large majority of the Mana Pools Ranger community have had to move to safer heights at Marongora, away from the Zambezi River flooding, through the sporadic opening of two to four floodgates on Kariba Dam Wall. This has posed a great burden on the already strained housing, water and vehicle capacity at Marongora. We visited this Ranger community and had the privilege of chatting to them about their specific needs. The dignity held by all, despite their difficulties, impressed us.

Travelling to Chizarira National Park via Gokwe, the relatively short stretch on the Karoi-Binga road was in better condition than expected, except of course, the 4×4 track to Chizarira itself. This little 4×4 track winding its way up the side of the Chizarira escarpment, with Tundazi Mountain to the east, is a delight for 4×4’ers! Take note!. Chizarira National Park is extremely wild and beautiful, with great camping sites, with woodlands, vegetation and wildlife that is become a rare sight anywhere in Africa.

The Ranger community living there lead a very challenging existence and the lack of funding to maintain the access road, together with a lack of running water at the HQ station, one has to admire this hardy Ranger community for sticking to their post, welcoming visitors with a smile and still managing to patrol the Park. And it is most certainly an incredible wildlife area. It used to be the home of the Black Rhino, but this resident population has long since been poached.

As a result of lack of infrastructure, and therefore a lack of protection effort, how much longer can this incredible wildlife area remain relatively intact?

Now we wait patiently to hear of any positive results from our efforts! Donated funds (www.thetashingainitiative.org) go directly into the wildlife protection effort as well as towards the conservation of our most wonderful and precious natural gift of all, the trees.

Transfrontier Conservation Areas such as KAZA and ZiMoZa, encompassing the Zambezi River, and adjacent protected areas falling within Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mocambique are unique global assets.

The Tashinga Initiative is proud to be part of the effort to conserve and protect our invaluable wildlife, and as always, seeks your support!

Please also visit:
http://www.conservationzambezi.org
http://www.africanwildlifeconservationfund.org

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