Hwange National Park: Solar Borehole & Water Infrastructure

One Stop Pavilion

Project Specifications

Location

Hwange National Park (-18.687222, 26.935556)

Water Use

Storage solution

Completion Date

7 October 2025

Scope

Project Challenges

The One Stop Pavilion is situated at the entrance of Hwange National Park, an area with no existing water or power infrastructure. ZimParks therefore commissioned Forster Irrigation to design and install a solar-powered borehole system and water storage solution.

The Forster Irrigation Solution

To guarantee a reliable water supply, we installed a 65,000L reservoir, fed by a 3Hp submersible pump drawing from a 68m borehole, powered by 8 × 590W solar panels.

Because of wildlife activity -especially elephants and hyenas – traditional garden taps were not practical. To solve this, we installed turf hydrants throughout the garden areas. After watering the lawns and flowers, users simply remove the hydrant key, and the entire unit stays safely hidden beneath the grass.

This sustainable system now services the National Parks officers’ houses, the guest lavatories, and the Pavilion’s landscaped gardens, ensuring a constant supply of clean water and supporting a healthier environment for park rangers and their families.