PUBLIC NOTICE: Tender For The Leasing Of Photographic Sites Within The Parks Estate
Members of the public are invited to participate in a public tender for the leasing of photographic sites within the Parks Estate. more...
Background
Operators who have wildlife at heart can exploit numerous
investment avenues in the Parks Estates and even in areas
outside the Parks Estates.
It should clearly be noted that the organisation puts conservation
ahead of investment. The Authority ascertains that for all
activities or developments that take place within the Parks
Estates relevant Environmental Impact Assessments be undertaken.
Development only takes place where it is sustainable, enhances
animal protection efforts or sustainably improve the quality
of the tourist experience. It is the later point that has
left large tracts of land undeveloped in Parks such as Hwange,
Mana Pools and several others, in a bid to preserve the pristine
wild conditions of the environment.
Because of this judicious management of both investment and
conservation, Zimbabwe’s Parks Estates provide some
of the most unique and ecologically appealing sites for development.
Types of Investment Opportunities Available
There are a number of investment portfolios that potential
investors can take up with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife
Management Authority. Primarily operators may choose one of
two options. They may operate on a periodic permit or a relatively
long term lease option.
1. Permit Based Investments
These are investments that require an investor to apply for
a periodic permit which is usually a year long. The operator
has to first apply for a preliminary relevant authority from
the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. Upon securing such authority,
the operator has to show proof of funding and identify the
specific area of operation they are interested in. The operator
then makes an application to the Tour Operator Development
Committee at the Authority’s Head Office. If capacity
is available in the specific area chosen, the Committee duly
awards the operator a permit after payment of the required
permit fees.
Potential investors need to be aware of the fact that permits
are applicable for one calendar year and they need to renew
their permits annually prior to 31 January of each year.
Investment opportunities that normally operate on a permit
are activity based and do not usually require use of a dedicated
piece of land. These include:
a. Wildlife ranching
b. Photographic safaris
c. Game drives
d. Walking safaris
e. Sport fishing
f. Boat cruises
g. Dinner cruises
2. Lease Based Investments
The lease based investment option basically focuses on awarding
a potential operator a determinate piece of land or area in
a view to allow them to develop semi-permanent structures
that they may use to host their clients who will be on tour.
Effectively, these areas are within the Parks Estates and
would otherwise be used by the Authority. However, due to
the various commitments, mainly linked to conservation activities
that the Authority is inundated with, it is usually best to
allow professional and expert investors to develop structures
within the Parks for Estates for the enjoyment of both local
and international visitors.
Leased sites are normally advertised as and when a particular
site falls vacant or becomes necessary to be developed. The
Authority puts up tenders for the consideration of the investing
public. Details on tenders being advertised and the conditions
attached to the leases can be obtained from the Authority
as required.
The Leases Committee is responsible for setting out terms
and conditions of the leases.
Some of the most popular investment areas include;
a. Hotel and lodge operations
b. Fishing camps
c. Curio and shop developments
d. Amenities and supplies operations
Distribution of Investment Opportunities
The Authority manages 13.1% of the country’s total
land mass consequently meaning a greater potential for investment.
Private operations within the Parks Estates can be noted in
most of the Parks. However, it is the Authority’s endeavour
to appropriately distribute demand for operations.
Most of the applicants who would like to invest in Zimbabwe’s
tourism industry prefer to place their funds in the Victoria
Falls area. However, it should be noted that the area is nearing
its full capacity in terms of developments, therefore, potential
investors should look for opportunities in other areas.
Recently, the Authority opened up the Gonarezhou National
Park to both national and international operators. This Park
is viewed to hold great potential due to its tying up with
Kruger National Park in South Africa and Gaza in Mozambique
to form one of the world’s mega-parks.
While many of the Parks do not require development of new
structures, most of them abound in tour operations potential.
Potential investors who may have interest in a particular
area may contact our Business Development Office to obtain
details on future sites to be tendered or to open up for permits.
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