Tourism offers unique opportunities to have unforgettable wildlife experiences, while at the same time, contributing towards the future continuation or regeneration of these incredible animals and the wild places they inhabit.
An extreme example of this is the fate of vultures.
Vultures are on the brink of extinction in Southern Africa due to many factors, but mostly as a result of human activity.
At the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge they have recognized that without their urgent help the following are likely to die out completely: white headed vultures, hooded vultures, lappet faced vultures and white backed vultures.
Their supplementary feeding of these magnificent birds is quite a spectacle to watch, and well worth supporting since vultures place a vital role in the ecosystem. By clearing away carcasses from the bushveld they help prevent the spread of diseases.
In 2022, Imvelo Safari Lodges, which owns 4 camps in the Hwange National Park, did something extraordinary. They set up the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative and together reintroduced white rhinos to the National Park after they had been poached out in the early 2000’s.
Imvelo Ngamo Wildlife Sanctuary represents a massive paradigm shift, placing rhinos on community land with local communities as custodians. “Our Imvelo Ngamo Wildlife Sanctuary is a perfect example of community-based conservation; local villages have given up prime grazing land for rhino conservation and re-introduction. This kind of conservation support from the community is unprecedented!” as quoted by Mark Butcher, our Imvelo Managing Director.Today it is possible to Walk With Rhinos by joining the Community Wildlife Protection unit called The Cobras. An unforgettable experience that supports a good cause.
During the parched dry season conservationists at Hwange National Park found there was no reliable water to sustain the wildlife in the Park.
The solution for more than 75 years has been to pump water into 15 waterholes, but this requires rangers to maintain each pump by living in situ.
Visitors to the Park are encouraged to sign up for a “pump run”. This important job of delivering much needed food and diesel fuel to the rangers also provides company to these isolated individuals. They’ll tell you about their life and show you the wildlife visitingtheir secluded spot.
Wild dogs are some of nature’s most enigmatic and elusive creatures, but they have faced many challenges, that of:- dwindling environment, rival predators, politics within the lineage, and human impact. Historically, they have faced an enormous amount of human-wildlife conflict and have become heavily endangered – their numbers have dropped from 500,000 a century ago to just over 7,000 today.
It’s no coincidence that one of the best places to see Wild Dog is at Mana Pools. It is renowned as one of the least developed national parks in Southern Africa, almost 70% of the park is only traversable by foot. An explorer’s paradise. By being able to walk in a big game national park, the barriers between you and nature are removed, it truly is one of the most engaging ways to experience wilderness and wildlife. African Bush Camps Foundation proactively partners with local communities and other organizations to support critical community empowerment, education, and conservation projects in this area. In doing so, the Foundation facilitates human-wildlife coexistence and the protection of species like the Wild Dog.
As a company, Singita, sets the bar in terms of regenerative tourism. They are committed to preserving and protecting African wilderness for future generations, a commitment reflected in its 100-year purpose. This focus on sustainability is woven into all aspects of the company, from its conservation efforts to its community partnerships and eco-friendly tourism practices. Singita aims to create a world where people and wildlife can thrive together, enjoying a sustainable future.
A stay at Singita’s Pamushana Safari Lodge is an absolute privilege. It is set in Zimbabwe’s remote southeast, within the 115,000-acre Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve. Guests have exclusive access to this untouched wilderness and can immerse themselves in nature on twice-daily game drives, bush walks, sundowner boat cruises, excursions to rock art sites and more.
Guests can also visit Kambako, an interactive, traditional Shangaan village. It is an education on the traditional way of life – learn how to make fire using sticks, participate in shooting traditional bow and arrows, cracking whips, watch basket weaving, taste porridge which you have helped grind.
