Hwange National Park – Robin’s Camp
Robins Camp is situated in the north west corner of Hwange National Park, being more remote and less visited than other parts of the park The Robins area is made up of a mosaic of vleis (open grassland), rocky outcrops and woodland making it an exceptionally beautiful area to visit, however the black cotton soils of the vleis make access Robins difficult to access during the rainy season.
In 2016, Bhejane Trust extended it’s operations to this area by installing nine solar pumps, and has since drilled more boreholes and installed more solar units, plus it has refurbished the viewing hides at Big Toms, Little Toms and Croc Pools. Bhejane Trust generally has the only operating vehicle in Robins so undertakes patrol deployments and reactions, fire fighting, water pump maintenance, roads realignment and maintenance, and various other requests in our assistance to Parks in this spectacular wildlife area.
Game water points
Many of the water points within the Robins area had not been functioning for many years due to lack of resources. In 2016 Bhejane Trust installed 9 pumps in the area, replacing the old diesel powered pump system with solar powered pumps, and revitalizing the game water supplies within the Robins area. The Trust has since installed two more solar units. These solar units have been strategically placed throughout the area to help with dispersal of elephants around the park and alleviate pressure by these animals at the more well established game water points.
Deteema Dam
We raised the spillway and in 2018 the dam overflowed – the highest level ever recorded
Although several maps have previously been created of Hwange National Park, many of these are not readily accessible and/or do not indicate the type or condition of the road, leading to tourists either getting lost or stuck in the park. In 2016, Bhejane Trust created a detailed tourist roads map of Robins Camp indicating road type and seasonal access (available here)
Roads
We opened up old long abandoned roads and have put in new roads to increase the road network coverage
Restoration of Historical Sights
Cleaned up Harold Robins’ grave, and the memorial plaques, and started the renovation of the museum
PROJECTS COMPLETED IN 2021
Drilled and equipped a new borehole at Bumbumutsa pan, to replace the old borehole here which has collapsed
Upgraded the pump at Mahoboti Pan to cater for the increasing elephant numbers drinking here
Upgraded the solar system at Njekwa Pan
Ongoing maintenance of all water points
Roads
Opened the old road from Tsamhole to Big Toms,
National Parks Assistance
Assisting Parks on deployments, law enforcement, staff rations, fire management and fire control – a continuing exercise.
Cleaned up, repaired and painted many of the road signs
New Boreholes
Assessment of game water supplies
We plan to undertake a full assessment of the Robins game water situation, to see which further old water points can be revitalised, and to assess the requirement for potential new borehole/game water sites. This will serve to further spread the elephant population for the benefit of the environment. For 2021 we plan to explore the possibility of new solar pumps at Manzimbomvu, Dandari, and Mbhejane Pans.
Roads
To open up the back roads to Njekwa and Sonyathi Pans.
Maintenance of borehole pumps.
Our solar pumps still require ongoing maintenance to ensure they are pumping at full capacity. Bhejane Trust will be devoting time to maintain the pumps as well as assess refurbishment requirements and to fix any damage caused by elephants, hyenas, baboons and other animals!
National Parks Assistance
Assisting Parks on deployments, law enforcement, staff rations, fire management and fire control – a continuing exercise. Will also continue with repair and re-painting of road signs
Prescribed burns
Bhejane Trust plans to work with the ZPWMA to provide a framework for a rotational burning management plan to ensure the vitality of the vleis in Robins Sector.
Please Support the Bhejane Trust!
You can help us keep our wildlife watered and safe, and our Parks rangers in the field looking after our heritage!
All donations large and small are very much appreciated we require constant support and financing to keep our operations running, such as game water, road maintenance, rhino monitoring and parks deployments!