African Bush Camps Celebrates Active Day 2026 in Honor of 20 Years of Impact

Across Southern Africa, teams at African Bush Camps Experiences proudly came together to celebrate African Bush Camps Foundation’s Active Day 2026, a meaningful annual initiative dedicated to movement, connection and shared community experiences.

The day was marked by vibrant energy, genuine fun and infectious joy, bringing together African Bush Camps team members, partners, local communities and guests in moments of authentic engagement. Across camps, guests were invited to take part in Active Day activities, fostering deeper connections with the people and places that define each destination.

As the African Bush Camps Foundation reflects on two decades of conservation and community empowerment, Active Day 2026 also marked an important milestone. African Bush Camps extends its warmest congratulations to the Foundation on celebrating 20 years of impactful work, supporting education, conservation and sustainability across the regions in which it operates.

Active Day 2026 | Head Office (Cape Town)

In Cape Town, Active Day was celebrated with a special gathering of Foundation staff and partners for a morning of movement, connection and shared purpose. The programme featured a series of interactive activities designed to encourage participation and collaboration, culminating in a vibrant traditional gumboot dance, a powerful celebration of African culture, rhythm and community spirit.

As part of the Foundation’s commitment to extending impact beyond the day itself, all gumboots used during the celebration were donated to members of the local community facing the challenges of winter. Donations were made to the Haven Night Shelter and Ons Plek Children’s Home, where the gumboots will help provide warmth and comfort during the colder months. The Foundation extends sincere thanks to Pienaar Brothers, whose generous sponsorship discount helped make this initiative possible.

The Cape Town gathering was further strengthened by the presence of several African Bush Camps Foundation impact partners, highlighting the importance of collective action in driving meaningful and lasting change. Bringing together staff, partners and supporters provided a valuable opportunity to honour the Foundation’s 20-year journey while looking ahead to the impact still to come.

Active Day Across African Bush Camps Experiences

Across African Bush Camps’ safari experiences, teams embraced the spirit of Active Day by actively involving guests in on-site activities, encouraging movement, participation and connection within the camp environment. These shared moments reinforced the close relationships between guests and staff, creating memorable experiences grounded in purpose and positivity.

Zimbabwe | Active Day Summary

The African Bush Camps Foundation celebrates Active Day annually on 16 June, with the objective of raising awareness and funds for its Community, Sustainability and Conservation projects. In Zimbabwe, celebrations took place across all African Bush Camps properties, with Bumi Lodges hosting their Active Day on 15 June at Mangwara Primary School under the theme 20 Years of Impact.

Nine members of the Bumi team travelled to Mangwara to celebrate the day with school children and to gain deeper insight into Foundation projects, particularly for staff members who were new to the initiatives.

The team first visited the BOMA project site, where the Project Officer outlined its role in reducing human-wildlife conflict. Since 2019, the project has supported the construction of 112 predator-proof BOMAs, benefiting 91 male and 21 female beneficiaries across Mola Wards 3 and 4. Notably, no livestock losses have been recorded within these BOMAs, highlighting the project’s success compared to traditional kraals.

At Mangwara Primary School, the team toured Foundation-supported infrastructure, including classroom blocks, a kitchen, borehole and feeding scheme. Staff assisted in serving tea to 326 pupils before helping prepare lunch. The day concluded with games, singing, face painting and dancing, creating a joyful and memorable celebration.

For new team members, the experience provided valuable insight into the Foundation’s work, equipping them to serve as informed ambassadors within the community.

Botswana | Active Day Summary

In Botswana, staff from the Maun office partnered with Bana Ba Letsatsi, a community-based organisation supporting vulnerable children and at-risk youth through counselling, education, early childhood development and family support programmes.

Each team member became a “big brother” or “big sister” to two children, purchasing gifts based on individual wish lists. While many requests focused on winter essentials such as blankets, warm clothing and toiletries, younger children also requested toys.

The day also included a community litter clean-up from the African Bush Camps Foundation office to Bana Ba Letsatsi, reinforcing a shared commitment to environmental stewardship. At the centre, staff spent time reading with young learners, supporting the feeding programme and engaging in meaningful conversations about the children’s dreams and aspirations.

The experience deepened staff understanding of Bana Ba Letsatsi’s work and its impact on children, families and the wider community.

Zambia | Active Day Summary

Active Day at Thorntree River Lodge saw strong guest participation, with 12 of 20 in-house guests joining activities including an egg race, aerobics session at the helipad, a 5 km trail run and a colour-themed gathering in the main area. Guests also visited a nearby village, where their engagement translated into generous community support.

Lolebezi welcomed five guests for Active Day, beginning with an aerobics session and tug of war, followed by an evening storytelling session around the firepit led by the guiding team. A highlight was a heartfelt reflection from one of the lodge’s female guides, who shared what the Foundation’s work means to her personally.

Across both Zambian properties, Active Day successfully combined wellness, fun, cultural engagement and conservation awareness, with 17 guests participating overall.

Collective Impact

Across camps in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, guests actively participated in Active Day activities and generously supported the Foundation. Together, USD 10,650 was raised, helping to strengthen communities, conserve wildlife and create lasting impact.

Active Day 2026 stands as a powerful reminder that impact is not only measured in years, but in people, and in the moments that bring communities together.