ABCF: Partnering to Conserve the Lower Zambezi

African Bush Camps (ABC) and the African Bush Camps Foundation (ABCF) operate in communities and wildlife areas in Africa’s heartlands, namely Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Our vision is to support a thriving natural landscape that connects all ABC camps and lodges, thereby enabling functioning ecosystems for wildlife whilst empowering local communities. To achieve this, the ABCF focuses on two core pillars: Conservation and Community.

Conservation focuses on securing, enhancing, and rewilding new conservation areas and corridors (Expand), supporting existing conservation areas and organisations (Protect), and facilitating co-existence between communities and wildlife (Co-Exist). Community concentrates on supporting local schools, staff, and learners (Educate), empowering and up-skilling local community members and enterprises (Empower), and supporting healthcare facilities and staff (Health).

Partnering with Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ)

African Bush Camps have been operating in the Lower Zambezi region since the opening of the first icon camp, Lolebezi Safari Lodge, in June 2022. This contemporary lodge incorporates the luxury expected in a world-class safari camp with a modest elegance and simplicity that can only be found in the African bush. Lower Zambezi is revered for its leopard population and elephant herds, showcasing some of the best wildlife sightings in the world.

ABCF and Lolebezi Safari Lodge are thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ): a leading conservation organisation working to protect the Lower Zambezi National Park and surrounding Game Management Areas in Zambia.

CLZ is a non-governmental organisation committed to the conservation of wildlife and the environment in Lower Zambezi. It was founded in 1994 to provide support to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) to help them mitigate threats to wildlife from poaching in the region. CLZ assists DNPW in their mandate to protect wildlife primarily by providing technical, logistical, food, and material support, training, and capacity building for their anti-poaching efforts. This support empowers the DNPW anti-poaching patrols and several Community Scout Units (including an all-female Community Scout Unit—Kufadza). CLZ also has an extensive environmental education programme and multiple community empowerment projects.

African Bush Camps Foundation is thrilled to be working hand-in-hand with CLZ, acting as a financing partner. ABCF will be governing and supporting the projects through income generated by guests staying at Lolebezi. CLZ, with its vast practical experience and knowledge in conservation, will execute impactful initiatives on the ground. This partnership will therefore leverage the unique experience and expertise of each organisation to achieve its joint objectives, ultimately enhancing landscape and wildlife protection while improving human-wildlife co-existence.

Our Collective Projects in the Lower Zambezi

Community Washing Points 

Every year, men and women lose their lives due to crocodile attacks while doing their washing in the Zambezi River. To reduce the risk of crocodile attacks CLZ is developing a way to decrease these incidents in the form of fences around designated washing points along the river. The first washing point is currently being designed and once erected and proven effective, will be replicated at different sites along the river. Our goal is to install 10 wash bays in the river which will aim to keep men and women safer, reduce fatalities, and mitigate human-wildlife conflict.

The Kufadza Female Scouts 

The Kufadza female scouts are a group of trained women who are at the frontline of our efforts to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. They aid in protecting wildlife and working with the community to educate them on the importance of conservation. These women are selected through a rigorous program that tests their physical endurance, mental strength, integrity, problem-solving skills, and ability to work as a team.

The Kufadza female scouts play a critical role in patrolling and protecting Lower Zambezi National Park and the surrounding Chiawa Management Areas. Armed with military assault rifles for protection, the scouts hike up to 10 miles per day when on patrol searching for snares and other signs of illegal activity.

Images supplied by: Andrew Mcdonald and Pie Aerts

Partner With Us in the Lower Zambezi

In 2024, the African Bush Camps Foundation will fund the training and deployment of 10 female scouts in Zambia. You can partner with Kufadza by sponsoring a female scout via a donation of $5,000. This contribution will cover the costs of monthly patrols, training, and uniforms for one year.