Tshabalala Game Sanctuary

What Is Tshabalala Game Sanctuary?

The wildlife sanctuary is bushland reserve that is host to a multitude of flora and fauna.

Nestled in the outskirts of the suburb Eloana, roughly 10km away from the Bulawayo CBD, the sanctuary boasts not only beautiful views of nature but also good amenities that the whole family can enjoy together.

At approximately 1200 hectares, the sanctuary is a safe environment for bird watching and safari and nature walks. The sanctuary is run by the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

History Of Tshabalala Game Sanctuary

The park is built on the remnants of the home steads of nomadic Bushmen tribes. The first known settlement of what is now Tshabalala Game Sanctuary was established by the AmaNdebele tribe, led by Mzilikazi.

One of Mzilikazi’s wives, Fulata of the Swazi clan, gave birth to a son, who was named Lobengula, the son spent many years of his childhood in the family village before he would ascend to the throne.

In the late 1880s when Lobengula was king, a European sailor, Fairburn Usher settled in an extensive section of Tshabalala that was bequeathed to him by Lobengula after he married one of his daughters.

Usher’s settlement was traditionally set up as other Ndebele style family homes, set on the banks of the Phekwe stream. With a vegetable garden and cattle pen constructed, he used stones to make a barricade for his cattle and eventually his grave.

After his death, his farm was purchased and assimilated into Rhodes’ Estate, that would be known as the Sauerdale Block. Many attempts were made to develop the land, but inevitably the East Coast Fever Epidemics quashed the efforts.

After the death of Rhodes, the estate was then put under the management of Mr. Jock Brebner in 1905 who successfully transformed the settlement into a dairy farm that supplied the burgeoning town of Bulawayo.

The lease that had been given to Mr. Jock Brebner in 1905 expired in July 1978 and Tshabalala Game Sanctuary was reassigned to the Zimbabwe Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management, which converted it to a Game Park.

Flora

The reserve contains many drought resistant plants with the dominant species being acacia, with a splendour of 12 different species. Also found are herbaceous (plants that are grass like) plants including graminoids and ferns.

Fauna

Tshabalala Game Sanctuary accommodates various wildlife from a plethora of birdlife, including guinea fowl, francolins, secretary birds, anseriformes, chestnut-backed sparrow larks and purple rollers to bigger mammals, warthogs, zebras, impalas, giraffes and wildebeest.

Though mammals have been the denoted attraction, the bird species have proved to have a draw as well to many a bird watcher, with many recording sightings of swallows, cuckoos, Capped Wheatears, Acacia Pied Barbets, Crowned Lapwings and tawny eagles just to name a few.

Geography

The reservation is often referred to as a thorny bushveld, filled with patches of dense bush and large clearings, with water points and a mesh of tracks that one can use.

The reserve is rich in black clay soils, making the reserve a difficult terrain during the rainy season and has led to many a times the reserve being closed off until it is safe for cars and people alike to traverse the land.

One is able to drive though, walk, cycle or even ride horses in the reserve.

Picnic Sites

There are multiple places throughout the reserve where one or more can have picnics.

There is also a restaurant and Tshisa Nyama spot next to the entrance of the reserve, that offers grilled meat (braai), local dishes, burgers, drinks. They also offer braai packs for purchase that you can braai or have one of the staff do it for you.

Where Is Tshabalala Game Sanctuary?

Take the Matopos road out of the CBD, travel about 10km, passing Friendly Road on the left, the next road on the right will be the entrance to the sanctuary.