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Gweru
Located in
Zimbabwe :: Midlands
:: Gweru
Category:
Places :: Town
The city of Gweru (first known as Gwelo), is situated in the Midlands Province. It derives its name from the Ndebele word iKwelo, meaning ‘The Steep Place’, owing to the high banks of the Gweru River. Established first as a military garrison in the mid-1890s, it gained municipal status in 1914 and city status in 1971.
Traveller DescriptionGweru is said to be one of the country’s prime cattle farming areas, responsible for the production of excellent beef and dairy products. Apart from agriculture, the community is further supported by industries such as a division of the Bata Shoe Company, and Zimbabwe Alloys Limited (Zimalloys), with chrome ore mines producing a range of chromium and ore products.
Gweru is home to Zimbabwe’s Military Academy (ZMA), as well as the National Military and National Aviation Museum. The museums represent the history of the country’s National Army and Aviation operations. On display in the various galleries and hangars are aircraft, uniforms and military equipment associated with the country’s military history. Approximately 20 kilometres outside the town on the A5 highway, lies Antelope Park, one of Zimbabwe’s leading private game reserves.
Accommodation is available either in en-suite rooms or tents, self-catering chalets, and campsites. Campers will enjoy the lush green campsite on the banks of the Ngamo River, with a lapa for shade, electricity, and piping-hot showers. The park is also open to day visitors. The facility offers a range of activities including elephant interaction, game drives, horse-riding safaris and snake induction. Extending over approximately 3 000 hectares of savannah grassland, the reserve is worth a visit.
| Address : | Gweru, Midlands Province, Zimbabwe | ||
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| Cellphone Reception : | Good | Main Cellular Network : | Econet. Telecel & Netone |
| Languages spoken : | English |
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| Facilities : | Tour Services | ||||
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| Police Telephone : | +263(0)54 222121/+263(0)54 222 125(Gweru central) /+263(0)54 2222184/+263(0)54 222 6909(Gweru rural) |
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| Hospital Telephone : | +263(0)54 221 301/+263(0)54 222 4954(Claybank Private Hospital) |
| Doctor Telephone : | +263(0)54 222 1083 |
| Tourist Information Telephone : | +263(0)54 224 071 |
| Towing Service Telephone : | +263(0)78 057 9261 / +263(0)71 808 4297 / +263(0)73 652 3424 (DRIVE Zimbabwe Roadside Assistance) |
| Petrol Type : | ULP/LRP |
| Diesel Type : | Diesel 93, E10 |
| Other Facilities : | School/s. Auto Dealer. Fast Food. Factory/s. Showgrounds. |
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| Night Drives, Picnics, Golf | |
| Game to View : | Antelopes. Elephants. Lions. |
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| More Activities : | Visit the Zimbabwe Military Museum. Boggie clock tower ( a city centre landmark). Bowling. Gliding. Visit to Antelope park. |
| Notes on Activities : | (Some activities may be offered nearby). |
| Closest Main Route : | A5 |
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EMERGENCY SERVICES:
Hospital contact is for Clay Bank Private Hospital (private). Doctor tel number is for Dr Mashingaidze surgery.
SHOPS & SUPPLIES:
Though by no means a tourism hub, Gweru has several good supermarkets and the town is a popular transit stop for travellers wishing to refuel, draw cash and replenish grocery supplies.
While Gweru is ideally situated for an overnight stop, you may want to spend an extra night or two at Antelope Park, to enjoy all that is on offer here. Campers could also take a break from pitching their tents and make use of the ‘glamping’ option in the standard rooms which share ablutions with the campsite.
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