Imire Safari Ranch wishes all our friends and their families a very Happy Christmas. May 2011 bring you peace, goodwill and contentment.

2010 has been a sad year for Imire with the passing of Norman and Gilly Travers, leaving a big void in the lives of all who knew them. Norman was a pioneer in the wildlife industry, introducing game onto commercial farmland in 1972, when his vision was initiated. Norman and Gilly were deeply respected and loved by their community and because of this support they have left behind a remarkable legacy. Norman's dream of protecting the wildlife of Zimbabwe has been fulfilled on Imire, we salute them both and miss them deeply. It’s been a hard few years for our country, survival mode really, though through adversity we are all strengthened. In order to continue to achieve our vision, it is essential that we work together to grow as a community and a nation.

Imire people

We would like to thank John Olivey, our Volunteer Programme Manager, for putting Imire back on track during his four years as Lodge Manager. John has a deep passion for Imire and his hard work has done us proud.
Reilly Travers has taken over the Game Management of Imire, a vital role. Jason Palmer and his partner Jane have taken over as Lodge Managers and we welcome them both. They have the hard task of renovations, which are already underway. We are delighted with the new rooms and look forward to the work being completed early in 2011.
John Travers continues to lead from the top, keeping us all motivated towards achieving our goals. Pete and Mandy Bibby’s hard work and support on the farm is invaluble To Imire

Game Park News

The veldt is looking absolutely spectacular with the recent fall of lovely rain, giving us an explosion of baby everything’s. The migratory birds are back including huge flocks of Abdim’s Stork and Eastern Redfoot, quite a sight, and the fish are definitely on the bite! It’s a perfect time to be in the park.

Kutanga the youngest elephant is nearly two and continues to be the clown of Imire. It is a delight to spend time watching him learning the tricks of the trade from his elders. The white rhino continue to lead us a song and dance - full moon seems to be their time of escape when they regularly wander some 30kms into the rural, making for some interesting weekends!

The four black rhino are thriving. We are hoping Kamchacha is pregnant, much to Gomo’s delight, while little Tatenda is still the most adored and adoring animal on Imire.

Coming Soon!

We are about to bring three hartebeest to the park, a first for Imire. One of the fastest antelopes, we look forward to these distinctive additions to the game park.

Imire in the Community

Imire plays a vital role in providing Conservation educational school trips, including school bus tours. In 2010 we had over 3,200 children pass through our gates. Not only do local schools gain from this incredible opportunity, schools from as far away as Nyanga, Mutare and Bulawayo share the wildlife heritage and knowledge of Imire with their students. Many of the children that come have never even seen a picture of an elephant or rhino, so you can imagine the thrill of these school trips. Our rustic bushcamp will see renovations in 2011. The camp is an important aspect of our educational programme as it gives the children an opportunity to spend time learning basic bush knowledge and conservation skills. We are fundraising at present for these much needed repairs.

For the wildlife to survive, the community of Wedza must also benefit.

The annual Imire Rhino Memorial soccer and netball tournaments were held on the 7th November for the rural schools, to uphold the memory of the brutally murdered rhino we lost in 2007.

Every year we hold a lunch for the chiefs and headmen of Wedza, encouraging the elders to spread conservation awareness in the rural areas.

Imire support Numwa primary and secondary schools, supplying teaching aids, school equipment, boreholes and pumps, as well as teaching values in AIDS, conservation and permaculture. 2011 will see Imire join forces with Ndoro Children's Charities, a very big project which will accommodate an orphanage, primary and secondary schools, skills centre, clinic and old age home. We feel excited and very privileged to play a role in this very much needed programme. We would like to thank the Ndoro family for including Imire in on their vision, which will enrich the people's lives. Imire's volunteer programme is playing its part in the community with a volunteer sponsoring three pupils through their tertiary schooling at Seke Teacher Training College.

Imire Volunteers

Volunteers have contributed hugely to operations on Imire in 2010, particularly at Numwa School where they have supplied much needed wells and boreholes. The volunteer programme are in the process of building a pre-school at Numwa which will accommodate at least 50 children. Within the park, volunteers have electrified the rhino bomas, giving light to the area and supplied water to the handlers via a borehole. We are fundraising using the Animal Planet Documentary “There’s a Rhino In My House” to fence a safe, secluded area for orphaned wildlife to adapt in a safe but natural environment prior to release. We would like to thank all our volunteers who have supported our programme for their hard work and dedication to the wildlife of Zimbabwe.

Thank you to all those who have donated their time as well as support to Imire, in particular to our agents and staff for their commitment.

We look forward to seeing you in 2011 to enjoy the magic and wonders of Imire.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

From the Travers family,
Management and staff,
and all creatures great and small