Community & Conservation Safari
Contribute to Local Zimbabwe Communities & Wildlife Conservation
Community & Conservation Safari
We are excited to announce a new Community and Conservation Safari with our partner in Zimbabwe, Imvelo Safari Lodges! This is an opportunity for you to participate in hands-on community development work and active conservation programs while enjoying stellar game viewing and the wide variety of safari activities on offer in Hwange National Park and Victoria Falls. Days are packed with community interactions, hands-on predator conservation, 'pump runs' to ensure water supply for Hwange's wildlife, anti-poaching patrolling & more! Only one departure for this unique safari: June 13-21, 2018
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
- Excellent lodge accommodations in Victoria Falls & Hwange National Park
- Private tour of the magnificent Victoria Falls
- Community visits to villages along the boundary of Hwange
- Meet local village leaders, attend a primary school
- Assist wildlife rangers on foot patrols
- Assist wildlife rangers in mapping movements of predators
- Assist in the maintenance of water pumps within Hwange Park
- Game drives, canoeing, a ride on the Elephant Express, and more!
About Imvelo Safari Lodges
Imvelo Safari Lodges has been at the forefront of community conservation in Zimbabwe since 1996. By building some of their camps and safari lodges on communal land bordering Hwange National Park, their ultimate goal is to create a symbiotic relationship between local communities, responsible tourism, and conservation. This in turn promotes conservation of the local wildlife and natural resources, and encourages sustainability for these village communities while at the same time adding significantly to the experience for the responsible safari enthusiast.
Imvelo is heavily involved in a range of wildlife conservation and community programs on a daily basis. Funded through lodge revenue and the Imvelo Foundation, projects include building and improving local schools, providing wells for clean water, and providing medical care & facilities. Wildlife conservation projects range from promoting wildlife buffers, educating local communities, and maintaining pumps throughout the park to provide water to wildlife during the dry season. These programs allow the local communities to benefit from the tourism industry thereby creating an incentive to promote conservation.
Download Detailed Itinerary
Community & Conservation Safari
Learn More About The Community & Conservation Safari
BRIEF ITINERARY
June 13, 2018 | Victoria Falls | Gorges Lodge
Arrive at Victoria Falls Airport where your Zimbabwe safari experience begins. You will be met by a shuttle vehicle for your road transfer to Gorges Lodge on the edge of the Batoka Gorge. Settle in or take a walk along the gorge rim searching for Black Eagles. Dinner at the lodge with traditional drumming and dancing.
June 14, 2018 | Victoria Falls & Hwange | Camelthorn Lodge
Enjoy early morning tea or coffee on your private veranda overlooking the Zambezi followed by a sumptuous breakfast in the main lodge dining area. After breakfast, head into Victoria Falls town where you will be taken on a guided tour of Zimbabwe's foremost attraction - Victoria Falls. After your tour you will be transferred to Dete Siding (about 2 hr) and hop on the Elephant Express rail car for your transfer to Camelthorn Lodge.
June 15 | Community Interaction | Camelthorn Lodge
A full day of community interaction. Start the day by walking local kids to their village school. You'll attend a school assembly, meet village elders and learn about life on the edge of Hwange, help prepare school lunch with local mothers, and maybe play the school kids in a soccer match. Return to the lodge for a starlit dinner on the Bomani Pan.
June 16 & 17 | Hands on Predator Conservation | Camelthorn Lodge
The next two days will be dedicated to monitoring the activities of the various predators in the area. Typically, participants will start before dawn, be dispersed on foot and by vehicle with guides/trackers in search of the target species. The specific activities will depend on wildlife movements/activity but may include monitoring den sites, movement of predators, searching for illegal activity, visiting with an anti-poaching unit to learn more about their work.
June 18 | Helping Hwange’s “Thirsty Herds” | Camelthorn Lodge
Early morning tea or coffee and then guests pack day packs for a full day trip into the park for our one of a kind ‘pump run’ with a picnic and siesta under the trees at Mfagazaan Pan. Guests participate in Imvelo’s supply and maintenance support to the wells and pump attendants that are the heartbeat of Hwange and its water dependent wildlife. Our efforts today will directly support literally thousands of elephant and also other wildlife.
June 19 | Hwange to the Zambezi River | Zambezi Sands River Camp
After a hearty breakfast embark on the Elephant express rail car to Dete, game viewing en-route (2.5hrs). Here you will be met by our Imvelo shuttle vehicle for your road transfer to Zambezi Sands River Camp on the banks of the thundering wild waters of the Zambezi River, inside Zambezi National Park. In the afternoon you'll take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
June 20 | Foot Patrol & Canoeing along the Zambezi | Zambezi Sands River Camp
The morning will be on foot exploring the shoreline and enjoying its wildlife. Park rangers, Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching team and our staff routinely patrol this section of Zambezi National Park for illegal snaring or signs of poaching by Zambians from the north bank. In the afternoon you'll join a canoe trip on the gentle rapids and channels of the Zambezi in inflatable canoes.
June 21 | Farewell Bush Breakfast & Departure
After a final bush breakfast you will be transferred to the Victoria Falls Airport for your onward flight.
We are offering only 1 departure for this special safari!
June 13 - 21, 2018
Space is limited so contact us soon to reserve your seat!
Gorges Lodge has arguably the most spectacular views in southern Africa and offers a unique Victoria Falls experience from a peaceful and idyllic base on the edge of the Batoka Gorge. Whether you are enjoying a cup of coffee at sunrise on your private veranda or a cool refreshment by the pool at sunset, you will be constantly drawn to the stunning vistas provided by the Batoka Gorge and the rushing waters of the Zambezi River below. Accommodations are 10 stone under thatch chalets, all with private verandas that provide stunning views. Each chalet has en-suite bathrooms with showers, mini bars, overhead fans and tea and coffee making facilities.
Camelthorn Lodge is nestled in the cool woodlands on the southern edge of Ngamo’s famous Plains. The main lodge is unique in its style and design and has as its center piece a huge ancient Camelthorn tree that spans a 100-foot outdoor dining area. Accommodation includes 8 luxuriously furnished forest villas that are cool in the hot months and warm and cozy in the cold months. Each villa has a private en-suite bathroom with a bath and feature window overlooking the woodland, large shower, closed off toilet, fireplace, a private ground level deck, upstairs outdoor maisonette with hammock and day bed and electricity by diesel/solar generator.
Zambezi Sands River Camp is situated within the western area of the Zambezi National Park on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River upstream of the Victoria Falls. Zambezi Sands is unique in that it features not only the Zambezi River and water based activities and some glorious wildlife and scenery but is also close to the Victoria Falls. Accommodations are 8 luxury tents: 800 sq foot Bedouin Style Tent with 600 sq foot private deck each with a lounge area, minibar, tea and coffee making facility, en-suite bathroom, outdoor shower and private splash pool.
GROUP SIZE: Minimum of 4 and a maximum of 14.
PLEASE NOTE:
- The community and conservation activities are subject to change depending on wildlife movements and activity, the size of the group and the budget available for the projects.
- Rates include national park entry fees
- Children 12 and under – 50% off accommodation
- Please note the Elephant Express has to run according to scheduling specified by the National Railways of Zimbabwe and as such may be subject to delays and cancellations, which are beyond our control.
- Please note pump runs only take place during the dry season months from June – Oct and school holidays are typically in August and April
INCLUDED: Services of a professional guide, game drives in customized safari vehicles, park entrance fees, all meals specified in itinerary, all drinks (local beers, spirits, soft drinks), activities specified, community & conservation activities.
EXCLUDED: All flights and taxes, entry visas, travel insurance, optional extensions, activities in Victoria Falls, gratuities, pre-/post safari accommodations, items of a personal nature.
PAYMENT: A non-refundable, 20% deposit is required to confirm booking. Balance is due 7 weeks before departure.
Other terms & conditions apply.
2018 Rates
- $4875 plus a $700 donation to the Imvelo Trust/D3 Foundation
- Single Supplement: $1305
*Rates are per person sharing.
Length: 8 nights/9 days
Route: Starts and ends in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
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