The first phase of a major refurbishment programme at Hwange Safari Lodge in Zimbabwe is on track, with 40 Standard rooms now complete and operational.

A further 18 rooms, including two Executive Suites will be completed by March, bringing the total number of rooms refurbished to 58. Work on the remaining 42 rooms will commence thereafter.

The renovations include a work desk, small table, clothes closet and wall mirrors, all made from indigenous teak. Bathrooms, living and sleeping areas were also restyled. The bathrooms now have larger showers.

Situated just outside Hwange National Park immediately adjacent to the Hwange National Park airport and a short distance from the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway, the lodge hosts visitors from domestic, regional and international source markets whose key focus is the abundant wildlife of the park and surrounding areas.

The lodge’s design includes two curved wings stretching from the central public area, where the reception, restaurant, guest lounge, conference room and bar look out to a garden terrace and swimming pool deck. A natural water feature attracts large numbers of wild animals throughout the day.

Although its primary purpose is to cater for leisure tourists visiting Zimbabwe’s largest national park, the lodge is also popular as a venue for small to medium conferences, weddings, business strategic retreats, and is also used as a stopover point for self-drive travellers, especially from South Africa.

A conference facility for up to 100 participants has been established close to the lodge’s east wing and is used for meetings and other events.

Hwange Safari Lodge is part of the African Sun Limited Group and is one of Zimbabwe’s major safari lodges.

African Sun Limited CEO, Peter Saungweme, said the refurbishment programme was being undertaken at a cost of at least US$4m in two phases.

The first phase focuses on renovation of the lodge’s 100 rooms, and the second phase will focus on renovation of the restaurant, guest lounge and the bar.

An additional boost for tourism around the Hwange National Park and surrounding areas is the recent announcement by fastjet Zimbabwe that it plans to introduce scheduled air services to Hwange National Park airport in March this year, linking the area by air to Victoria Falls and Kariba.

This will significantly increase accessibility to the area, especially for international visitors.