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Coordinates: 21°58′13″S 29°7′22″E / 21.97028°S 29.12278°E / -21.97028; 29.12278
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{{Short description|Protected area in Zimbabwe}}
{{Infobox Protected area
{{Infobox Protected area
| name = Thuli Parks and Wildlife Land
| name = Thuli Parks and Wildlife Land
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| location = [[Beitbridge (District)]] and [[Gwanda (District)]], [[Zimbabwe]].
| location = [[Beitbridge (District)]] and [[Gwanda (District)]], [[Zimbabwe]].
| nearest_city = [[Beitbridge]]
| nearest_city = [[Beitbridge]]
| coordinates = {{coords|21|58|13|S|29|7|22|E|display=inline, title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|21|58|13|S|29|7|22|E|display=inline, title}}
| area = {{convert|416|km2|abbr=on}}
| area = {{convert|416|km2|abbr=on}}
| established = 1958, Safari Area 1975
| established = 1958, Safari Area 1975
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'''Thuli Parks and Wildlife Land''' is a protected area in south-western Zimbabwe. It comprises four areas within the [[Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Estate]] and covers the entire west bank of the [[Shashe River]] within the Thuli Circle.
'''Thuli Parks and Wildlife Land''' is a protected area in south-western Zimbabwe. It comprises four areas within the [[Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Estate]] and covers the entire west bank of the [[Shashe River]] within the Thuli Circle.


The protected area comprises the Thuli Safari Area, plus 3 small botanical reserves:
The protected area comprises the Thuli Safari Area, plus three small botanical reserves:
* Pioneer Botanical Reserve, area of 0.38&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>
* Pioneer Botanical Reserve, area of 0.38&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>
* South Camp Botanical Reserve, area of 0.26&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>
* South Camp Botanical Reserve, area of 0.26&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>
* Tolo River Botanical Reserve, area of 0.44&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>
* Tolo River Botanical Reserve, area of 0.44&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>
The four reserves are administered as a single unit, from the National Parks and Wildlife authority office on the east bank of the Shashe River - just outside the protected area and immediately south of the village of [[Tuli, Zimbabwe|Tuli]].
The four reserves are administered as a single unit, by the National Parks and Wildlife authority office on the east bank of the Shashe River - just outside the protected area and immediately south of the village of [[Tuli, Zimbabwe|Tuli]].


==History of the Park==
==History of the Park==


Thuli (Tuli) Safari Area was proclaimed in 1975. Prior to that date (from 1958), it was a controlled hunting area.
Thuli (Tuli) Safari Area was proclaimed in 1975 and was a controlled hunting area from 1958 until then.


In terms of a memorandum signed on 22 June 2006, Thuli Parks and Wildlife Land forms the core of the conservation area that Zimbabwe shall contribute to the [[Limpopo-Shashe Transfrontier Conservation Area]].<ref>Limpopo-Shashe Conservation Area Formally Agreed On. ''Kruger Park Times'' [http://www.krugerpark.co.za/krugerpark-times-3-7-limpopo-shashe-22703.html]</ref>
Since 2006, Thuli Parks and Wildlife Land forms the core of the conservation area that Zimbabwe shall contribute to the [[Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area]].<ref>Limpopo-Shashe Conservation Area Formally Agreed On. ''Kruger Park Times'' [http://www.krugerpark.co.za/krugerpark-times-3-7-limpopo-shashe-22703.html]</ref>


==Features==
==Features==
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Most of the Thuli area is scrubland, with ''[[Mopane]]'' and [[combretum]] bush. The [[Shashe River|Shashe]] valley, the park's eastern border, supports riverine vegetation such as ''[[Ficus]]'' and ''[[Faidherbia]]''.<ref>Hyde, M.A. and Wursten, B. 2008. ''[http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/location-display.php?location_id=TU Flora of Zimbabwe]:'' Location details: Shashe Wilderness Camp and the Tuli area</ref>
Most of the Thuli area is scrubland, with ''[[Mopane]]'' and [[combretum]] bush. The [[Shashe River|Shashe]] valley, the park's eastern border, supports riverine vegetation such as ''[[Ficus]]'' and ''[[Faidherbia]]''.<ref>Hyde, M.A. and Wursten, B. 2008. ''[http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/location-display.php?location_id=TU Flora of Zimbabwe]:'' Location details: Shashe Wilderness Camp and the Tuli area</ref>


Animal life includes [[African bush elephant]]s, [[south-western black rhinoceros]], [[Panthera leo melanochaita|lion]], [[Cape wild dog]], [[Namibian cheetah]] and [[African leopard]], many of which move freely between the protected area and neighbouring [[Botswana]] and [[South Africa]].<ref>''Update on the Limpopo-Shashe Transfrontier Conservation Area'', Limpopo Valley Carnivores. [http://limpopocarnivores.wildlifedirect.org/2008/06/12/update-on-the-limpopo-shashe-transfrontier-conservation-area/]</ref>
Animal life includes [[African bush elephant]]s, [[south-western black rhinoceros]], [[Panthera leo melanochaita|lion]], [[African wild dog]], [[Southeast African cheetah|Cheetah]] and [[African leopard]], many of which move freely between the protected area and neighbouring [[Botswana]] and [[South Africa]].<ref>''Update on the Limpopo-Shashe Transfrontier Conservation Area'', Limpopo Valley Carnivores. [http://limpopocarnivores.wildlifedirect.org/2008/06/12/update-on-the-limpopo-shashe-transfrontier-conservation-area/]</ref>


===Geography and geology===
===Geography and geology===


The protected area comprises a flat landscape, giving way to rugged hilly terrain near the [[Shashe River]]. The underlying bedrock is [[Jurassic]] [[basalt]],<ref>{{cite article|journal=Rhodesia Geological Survey Short Report|author=Thompson, R.L. |date=1979|title=The geology of the area around Tuli, Mazunga and Gongwe|volume=40}}</ref> dated at 186.3 ± 1.2 Ma.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2004.11.004|title=Sedimentology and taphonomy of the upper Karoo-equivalent Mpandi Formation in the Tuli Basin of Zimbabwe, with a new 40Ar/39Ar age for the Tuli basalts|year=2004|last1=Rogers|first1=Raymond R.|last2=Rogers|first2=Kristina Curry|last3=Munyikwa|first3=Darlington|last4=Terry|first4=Rebecca C.|last5=Bradley s.Singer|journal=Journal of African Earth Sciences|volume=40|issue=3–4|pages=147|url=http://www.geology.wisc.edu/~raregas/publications/chrono_pub/Rogers%20et%20al%202004%20JAES.pdf|bibcode=2004JAfES..40..147R}}</ref> The basalts fill a NNE-trending trough with inwardly-dipping lava flows,<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1007/BF02596517|title=Karroo basalts of the Tuli Syncline, Rhodesia|year=1969|last1=Vail|first1=J. R.|last2=Hornung|first2=G.|last3=Cox|first3=K. G.|journal=Bulletin Volcanologique|volume=33|issue=2|pages=398|bibcode=1969BVol...33..398V}}</ref> and a well-preserved [[volcanic caldera]].<ref>{{cite article|journal=Meteoritics |volume=29|pages=521–522|bibcode=1994Metic..29R.521R|date=1994|title=The 1993 Zimbabwe impact crater and meteorite expedition|authors=Reimold, W. U.; Master, S.; Koeberl, C.; Robertson, D.}}</ref>
The protected area comprises a flat landscape, giving way to rugged hilly terrain near the [[Shashe River]]. The underlying bedrock is [[Jurassic]] [[basalt]],<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Rhodesia Geological Survey Short Report|author=Thompson, R.L. |date=1979|title=The geology of the area around Tuli, Mazunga and Gongwe|volume=40}}</ref> dated at 186.3 ± 1.2 Ma.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2004.11.004|title=Sedimentology and taphonomy of the upper Karoo-equivalent Mpandi Formation in the Tuli Basin of Zimbabwe, with a new 40Ar/39Ar age for the Tuli basalts|year=2004|last1=Rogers|first1=Raymond R.|last2=Rogers|first2=Kristina Curry|last3=Munyikwa|first3=Darlington|last4=Terry|first4=Rebecca C.|last5=Bradley s.Singer|journal=Journal of African Earth Sciences|volume=40|issue=3–4|pages=147|url=http://www.geology.wisc.edu/~raregas/publications/chrono_pub/Rogers%20et%20al%202004%20JAES.pdf|bibcode=2004JAfES..40..147R}}</ref> The basalts fill a NNE-trending trough with inwardly-dipping lava flows,<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1007/BF02596517|title=Karroo basalts of the Tuli Syncline, Rhodesia|year=1969|last1=Vail|first1=J. R.|last2=Hornung|first2=G.|last3=Cox|first3=K. G.|journal=Bulletin Volcanologique|volume=33|issue=2|pages=398|bibcode=1969BVol...33..398V|s2cid=129758561}}</ref> and a well-preserved [[volcanic caldera]].<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Meteoritics |volume=29|pages=521–522|bibcode=1994Metic..29R.521R|date=1994|title=The 1993 Zimbabwe impact crater and meteorite expedition|author1=Reimold, W. U. |author2=Master, S. |author3=Koeberl, C. |author4=Robertson, D. |issue=4}}</ref>


===Archaeological, historical and cultural sites===
===Archaeological, historical and cultural sites===


A large Fort (Fort Tuli) existed in the center of the protected area, where in the 1890s oxen and horses were rested prior to crossing the Shashe River. The fort was established by the [[Pioneer Column]] in 1890,<ref name=Hemans>[http://www.hemans.dsl.pipex.com/book Hemans, T. ''Those Were the Days'']</ref> and maintained as a supply base.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=3gqQqX3uVvkC&pg=PA14&lpg=PA14&dq=%22Fort+Tuli%22&source=web&ots=DMFUa-KaPn&sig=VK9CH2XXH16_lkFpZ7xuL2XtZ-Q&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result Hole, H.M. ''Old Rhodesian Days'', Routledge]</ref> In the 1970s this building was re-located to the current site, [[Tuli, Zimbabwe|Tuli]].
A large Fort (Fort Tuli) existed in the center of the protected area, where in the 1890s oxen and horses were rested prior to crossing the Shashe River. The fort was established by the [[Pioneer Column]] in 1890,<ref name=Hemans>[http://www.hemans.dsl.pipex.com/book Hemans, T. ''Those Were the Days'']</ref> and maintained as a supply base.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=3gqQqX3uVvkC&dq=%22Fort+Tuli%22&pg=PA14 Hole, H.M. ''Old Rhodesian Days'', Routledge]</ref> In the 1970s this building was re-located to the current site, [[Tuli, Zimbabwe|Tuli]].


==Accommodation and camping==
==Accommodation and camping==
Camping sites exist at the head office and within the safari area. There are no hotels or self-catering accommodation.
Camping sites exist at the head office and within the safari area. There are no hotels or self-catering accommodation.


[[Shashe Wilderness Camp]], operated by the [[Wildlife and Environment Zimbabwe]] (formerly Zimbabwe Wildlife Society), is located just north of the park headquarters.
[[Shashe Wilderness Camp]], operated by the [[Wildlife and Environment Zimbabwe]] (formerly Zimbabwe Wildlife Society), is located just north of the park's headquarters.


==Access==
==Access==
Road access is via the village of [[Tuli, Zimbabwe|Tuli]], which can be reached from [[Beitbridge]] via Nottingham Estate, or from [[Gwanda]] via [[Guyu]] and Hwali. On each access route, much of the distance is over poor roads, and four wheel drive may be required. Four wheel drive is essentially for crossing the [[Shashe River]] to access the park. There is an earth airstrip at Tuli.
Road access is via the village of [[Tuli, Zimbabwe|Tuli]], which can be reached from [[Beitbridge]] via Nottingham Estate, or from [[Gwanda]] via [[Guyu]] and Hwali. On each access route, much of the distance is over poor roads, and four wheel drive may be required. Four wheel drive is essentially for crossing the [[Shashe River]] to access the park. There is an dirt airstrip at Tuli.


Thuli Safari Area is currently operated through hunting concessions.
Thuli Safari Area is currently operated through hunting concessions.
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{{Gwanda District}}
{{Gwanda District}}
{{Beitbridge District}}
{{Beitbridge District}}

{{authority control}}


[[Category:National parks of Zimbabwe]]
[[Category:National parks of Zimbabwe]]
[[Category:1975 establishments in Rhodesia]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1975]]
[[Category:Shashe River]]
[[Category:Shashe River]]
[[Category:Beitbridge District]]
[[Category:Beitbridge District]]
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[[Category:Geography of Matabeleland South Province]]
[[Category:Geography of Matabeleland South Province]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Matabeleland South Province]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Matabeleland South Province]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1958]]

Latest revision as of 20:09, 18 November 2024

Thuli Parks and Wildlife Land
Looking across the Shashe River into Thuli Safari Area, Zimbabwe
Map
LocationBeitbridge (District) and Gwanda (District), Zimbabwe.
Nearest cityBeitbridge
Coordinates21°58′13″S 29°7′22″E / 21.97028°S 29.12278°E / -21.97028; 29.12278
Area416 km2 (161 sq mi)
Established1958, Safari Area 1975
Governing bodyZimbabwe Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management

Thuli Parks and Wildlife Land is a protected area in south-western Zimbabwe. It comprises four areas within the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Estate and covers the entire west bank of the Shashe River within the Thuli Circle.

The protected area comprises the Thuli Safari Area, plus three small botanical reserves:

  • Pioneer Botanical Reserve, area of 0.38 km2
  • South Camp Botanical Reserve, area of 0.26 km2
  • Tolo River Botanical Reserve, area of 0.44 km2

The four reserves are administered as a single unit, by the National Parks and Wildlife authority office on the east bank of the Shashe River - just outside the protected area and immediately south of the village of Tuli.

History of the Park

[edit]

Thuli (Tuli) Safari Area was proclaimed in 1975 and was a controlled hunting area from 1958 until then.

Since 2006, Thuli Parks and Wildlife Land forms the core of the conservation area that Zimbabwe shall contribute to the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area.[1]

Features

[edit]
The main access point into Thuli Parks and Wildlife Land, crossing the Shashe River near the park office. Four wheel drive is required.

Flora and fauna

[edit]

Most of the Thuli area is scrubland, with Mopane and combretum bush. The Shashe valley, the park's eastern border, supports riverine vegetation such as Ficus and Faidherbia.[2]

Animal life includes African bush elephants, south-western black rhinoceros, lion, African wild dog, Cheetah and African leopard, many of which move freely between the protected area and neighbouring Botswana and South Africa.[3]

Geography and geology

[edit]

The protected area comprises a flat landscape, giving way to rugged hilly terrain near the Shashe River. The underlying bedrock is Jurassic basalt,[4] dated at 186.3 ± 1.2 Ma.[5] The basalts fill a NNE-trending trough with inwardly-dipping lava flows,[6] and a well-preserved volcanic caldera.[7]

Archaeological, historical and cultural sites

[edit]

A large Fort (Fort Tuli) existed in the center of the protected area, where in the 1890s oxen and horses were rested prior to crossing the Shashe River. The fort was established by the Pioneer Column in 1890,[8] and maintained as a supply base.[9] In the 1970s this building was re-located to the current site, Tuli.

Accommodation and camping

[edit]

Camping sites exist at the head office and within the safari area. There are no hotels or self-catering accommodation.

Shashe Wilderness Camp, operated by the Wildlife and Environment Zimbabwe (formerly Zimbabwe Wildlife Society), is located just north of the park's headquarters.

Access

[edit]

Road access is via the village of Tuli, which can be reached from Beitbridge via Nottingham Estate, or from Gwanda via Guyu and Hwali. On each access route, much of the distance is over poor roads, and four wheel drive may be required. Four wheel drive is essentially for crossing the Shashe River to access the park. There is an dirt airstrip at Tuli.

Thuli Safari Area is currently operated through hunting concessions.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Limpopo-Shashe Conservation Area Formally Agreed On. Kruger Park Times [1]
  2. ^ Hyde, M.A. and Wursten, B. 2008. Flora of Zimbabwe: Location details: Shashe Wilderness Camp and the Tuli area
  3. ^ Update on the Limpopo-Shashe Transfrontier Conservation Area, Limpopo Valley Carnivores. [2]
  4. ^ Thompson, R.L. (1979). "The geology of the area around Tuli, Mazunga and Gongwe". Rhodesia Geological Survey Short Report. 40.
  5. ^ Rogers, Raymond R.; Rogers, Kristina Curry; Munyikwa, Darlington; Terry, Rebecca C.; Bradley s.Singer (2004). "Sedimentology and taphonomy of the upper Karoo-equivalent Mpandi Formation in the Tuli Basin of Zimbabwe, with a new 40Ar/39Ar age for the Tuli basalts" (PDF). Journal of African Earth Sciences. 40 (3–4): 147. Bibcode:2004JAfES..40..147R. doi:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2004.11.004.
  6. ^ Vail, J. R.; Hornung, G.; Cox, K. G. (1969). "Karroo basalts of the Tuli Syncline, Rhodesia". Bulletin Volcanologique. 33 (2): 398. Bibcode:1969BVol...33..398V. doi:10.1007/BF02596517. S2CID 129758561.
  7. ^ Reimold, W. U.; Master, S.; Koeberl, C.; Robertson, D. (1994). "The 1993 Zimbabwe impact crater and meteorite expedition". Meteoritics. 29 (4): 521–522. Bibcode:1994Metic..29R.521R.
  8. ^ Hemans, T. Those Were the Days
  9. ^ Hole, H.M. Old Rhodesian Days, Routledge
[edit]
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