Story by Theophilus Chuma
THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) requires at least US$10 million in recapitalisation funding to rehabilitate ageing infrastructure, improve road networks and unlock the tourism and conservation potential of the country’s national parks, Parliament heard on Monday.
The funding requirement emerged during an engagement between the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Tourism and the Hospitality Industry and ZimParks in Harare, where concerns were raised over deteriorating infrastructure across protected areas amid growing pressure to boost tourism and wildlife conservation.
ZimParks Acting Director-General, Professor Never Muboko told legislators that years of underinvestment, compounded by recurring climatic shocks and increasing traffic volumes, have left critical infrastructure in need of urgent rehabilitation.
“A significant proportion of our road networks within parks and safari areas has deteriorated over time due to limited capital investment, recurring climatic shocks and increasing traffic volumes,” said Professor Muboko.
“In addition, access roads to major tourism destinations, including some of our flagship parks, have also been affected, posing challenges to mobility and tourism development.”
The authority said improved road connectivity and accessibility are essential for enhancing visitor experiences, supporting conservation operations and increasing tourism activity in national parks.
The recapitalisation drive comes as ZimParks seeks to strengthen its contribution to Zimbabwe’s tourism sector, one of the key pillars of economic growth under Vision 2030.
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Tourism and the Hospitality Industry Chairperson, Honourable Eddison Joanna Mamombe, said the focus should be on finding practical solutions to unlock the full value of the country’s protected areas.
“Our objective is not merely to identify challenges but to collectively develop practical recommendations that can unlock the immense tourism and economic potential of Zimbabwe’s national parks,” she said.
ZimParks is targeting an increase in park occupancy and utilisation from 35 percent recorded last year to 40 percent in 2026. However, the authority says achieving the target will largely depend on adequate funding to support infrastructure upgrades and operational improvements.
Officials say modernising facilities and improving accessibility will not only strengthen wildlife conservation efforts but also position Zimbabwe’s national parks to attract more domestic and international tourists.
