World Safari Day 2025

The Art of Safari: When Couture Met Conservation in Zimbabwe

We transformed Hwange National Park into a stage for Zimbabwean creativity, partnering with leading local artists for a groundbreaking fashion photoshoot that brought couture, culture, and conservation together in a way the industry has never seen.

Tired of the predictable safari imagery that fills the feed, we set out to tell a story that felt unmistakably Zimbabwean. No professional models. No staged perfection. Instead, 17 members of our own Somalisa team stepped forward, becoming the faces of a campaign rooted in identity, pride, and the belief that conservation begins with people.

Each person stepped into the frame with their own stories and sense of self. Dressed in garments created specifically for them, they brought an authentic presence in front of the camera. What unfolded was not performance, but real people standing in their power within the landscape they call home. These are their stories.

Transforming Somalisa Camp into a Hub of Creativity and Collaboration

Prior to the photoshoot, designer Victoria Manase spent months learning about each person, then arrived at Somalisa Camp in Hwange National Park with couture pieces created specifically to reflect their individuality. Alongside tailor Lazarus Maudia, photographer Brandon Tsandukwa, and makeup artist Gamu Manyika, the team helped create a space where everyone’s confidence and joy could shine through the lens.

For three days in October, Somalisa Camp carried on as usual, yet a new energy moved through the bush. In the spaces between game drives and guest routines, the team slipped into fittings and fabric adjustments, sharing reflections on colors, memories, and the personal styles that shaped their bespoke garments.

Once the first frame was taken on the first day, time seemed to settle as naturally as dust returning to the earth, with any anticipation or nerves falling easily away. Grins widened, shoulders relaxed, and the camera caught the unmistakable moment each person stepped into their power.

Our Somalisa Camp staff, from left to right: Emmanuel Makunde, Thenjiwe Ndhlovu, Bhekizulu Ncube, Brenda Ncube, Bridget Ndlovu, Chaita Manyepa.

The juxtaposition was electric: rifles leaning against dusty safari vehicles as couture gowns and tailored dress pants swept across the savanna. Star stood atop a safari vehicle, radiating poise and power, while Dophas commanded the space beneath an acacia tree, the intricate linework of his garment mimicking the contours of the land. With every pose, the wild Zimbabwean landscape became a canvas for self-expression.

At the end of the shoot, when Victoria revealed that the custom garments would belong to the staff who had modeled them, the camp erupted. Laughter, cheers, and tears of happiness swept through the team in an emotional celebration of joy.

Those three days in Hwange National Park didn’t just produce a photoshoot. A space was created for people to be seen in a new way and reminded all of us of that culture, craftsmanship, and community are as much a part of Zimbabwe’s story as the nature it’s renowned for.

Our World Safari Day 2025 Models: Stories from Somalisa Camp

Ivy, Camp Manager, Somalisa Camp

As Somalisa’s Camp Manager, Ivy leads with calm authority every day, but the photoshoot offered her a rare chance to step out of her role and see herself differently.

“The tailor made each dress reflect who we are, not just what we do,” Ivy recalled.

For her, wearing the couture gown became a moment of rediscovery.

“It was incredible to feel like a woman again, to embrace my femininity and step out of the uniform. I loved every moment of it. In this setting, people could see me beyond my role at work; they see me as human. My outfit speaks of royalty, strength, and beauty.”

When asked what it means to be Zimbabwean, she offered a simple but powerful truth:

“Privileged, I’d say.”

Ivy Mtetwa

Dophas, Guide, Somalisa Camp

For Dophas, one of our knowledgeable guides, the project became a reflection of both personal pride and the collective spirit of Zimbabwe.

“I think we Zimbabweans really stand out. We walk with pride, carry smiles on our faces, and when we do something, we don’t do it halfway; we put our heart and love into it.”

He spoke with deep admiration for African Bush Camps’ leadership and opportunities:

“Beks inspires us every day. African Bush Camps is a company that helps you grow and provides the tools to succeed. Everyone here motivates each other, every single day.”

He explained that wearing his custom couture garment felt extraordinary:

“I feel like I was right there with the tailor while he was making it! The compliments I’ve received while wearing it, and knowing the thought behind it, make it so special.”

Dophas Tshaba

Star, Hostess, Somalisa Camp

Star, a beloved hostess who grew up near Hwange National Park and has worked with African Bush Camps for 15 years, radiated pride when she spoke about her home and heritage.

“Yes, I am 100% proud. I love the people in Zimbabwe, they are so friendly, willing to help, and we live as a community. African Bush Camps is the family that I have now.”

The photoshoot reignited a part of herself she thought she’d left behind:

“I used to model when I was young. But when you brought this project to Somalisa, I felt like myself again. This is Star again.”

Her two-piece couture garment became a symbol of belonging, and she knew the experience would stay with her:

“This outfit brings back my culture. In our African culture, it brings back the beauty of the woman. You feel you’re alive. This is going to be something that everyone carries with them for the rest of their lives.”

Stabiso ‘Star’ Ndebele

African Bush Camps Foundation and the Women in Tourism Program

The photoshoot was a first for many of our staff: their first time in front of a camera, their first time wearing couture, and their first professional makeup experience.

Among the models were graduates of African Bush Camps Foundation’s Women in Tourism Program, which supports young women from underserved communities near our Experiences in Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to build careers in tourism and hospitality.

The program runs for nine months, with three months of certified classroom training at a hospitality school, followed by six months of hands-on experience across our camps. Participants rotate through different departments, gaining practical skills, confidence, and a full understanding of safari operations, laying a strong foundation for long-term careers. 

Each year, 15 women are selected to take part in the program. The cost of $800 per participant is fully covered by our very own African Bush Camps Foundation through donations and contributions, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent anyone from participating. Many of these women would otherwise have limited access to education or employment. If you’d like to help support future participants, you can directly contribute here.

Thandeka, Trainee, Women in Tourism Program

Thandeka, one of the models in the World Safari Day campaign and a trainee in the Women in Tourism Program, experienced a series of meaningful firsts at African Bush Camps: living away from home, learning to bake, improving her public-speaking skills, and seeing an elephant outside her front door.

Now, the photoshoot added another unforgettable milestone to her journey.

“Honestly, I don’t know where I would be if it wasn’t for the Women in Tourism Program. Everything was really hard, and the only option I felt I had was to be a maid. This program opened so many opportunities for me and I am so proud of myself.”

Modeling became another gateway for her growing confidence to shine.

“It’s my first time doing this, posing in front of the camera and wearing makeup! It has been phenomenal and wonderful.”

Above everything, she stands tall in her identity:

“Being able to tell guests that I am proudly Zimbabwean is an incredible feeling.”

Thandeka Mtupa

Brenda, Graduate, Women in Tourism Program (Now a Waitress at Somalisa Camp)

For Women in Tourism graduate Brenda, the photoshoot was more than a ‘first’.  It was an experience she never could have imagined and an opportunity to step into a world of couture, professional makeup, and self-expression.

“What does it mean to be Zimbabwean? It means I can be who I want to be and share with others the pride and love we have for our country.”

She described the feelings beneath the surface, and how every moment seemed to ignite a small transformation.

“I’ve never modeled before, and everything was incredible. I love the colors, they remind me of the beads we have here in Africa. The outfit truly reflects my happiness; I felt so beautiful, confident, and proud. My family will be so happy when they see the photos, and my mother will definitely cry!”

Brenda Ncube

The Art of Safari: Conserving Culture, Empowering People

As Beks Ndlovu, Founder and CEO of African Bush Camps, reflected, “This project showcased the talent and creativity of Zimbabwe in a way that truly empowered our team. It was inspiring to watch our colleagues engage with the process, share their stories, and celebrate their culture.”

On World Safari Day, we celebrated the people and artistry that define Zimbabwe.

Because conserving Zimbabwe means conserving its culture just as fiercely as its wildlife.

MEET THE ARTISTS BEHIND THE CAMPAIGN

Frequently Asked Questions About World Safari Day 2025

What is World Safari Day?

World Safari Day is celebrated every year on November 25. We launched it in 2020 to honor the role of safari tourism in conserving Africa’s wildlife, supporting local communities, and sharing the continent’s rich cultural heritage with the world.

Can I purchase any of the outfits that were modeled?

These outfits were made for our staff, each one a unique creation. If you’d like a custom couture piece by Victoria Manase, DM us on Instagram or Facebook and let’s make it happen!

Why did you choose to honor Zimbabwe this World Safari Day?

Zimbabwe lies at the heart of our African Bush Camps story. Our Founder and CEO, Beks Ndlovu, is a proud Zimbabwean, and it all began with Somalisa Camp – our very first Experience, right in the heart of Hwange National Park. This World Safari Day, we wanted to shine the spotlight back on Zimbabwe and its people.