Zimbabwe camping safari

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

All three camps featured – The Hide, Changa Safari Camp and John’s Camp – have long-standing commitments to environmental stewardship. Each operates almost entirely off-grid, using solar power for energy, natural materials in construction and strict waste and water management systems. Plastic use is minimal, with refillable bottles and glassware throughout, while laundry and greywater are recycled through eco-friendly treatment systems.

Supplies are sourced locally wherever possible, from fresh produce grown by nearby farmers to handmade furniture and crafts. In Hwange, The Hide supports a community garden project that provides both food for the camp and income for local families.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

This trip directly supports the protection of Zimbabwe’s remarkable ecosystems. Each stay includes park and conservation fees that go towards the management of Hwange National Park, Lake Kariba Recreational Area and Mana Pools National Park. These funds help protect habitats, pay ranger salaries and support anti-poaching efforts in three of the country’s most important wildlife areas.

The Hide has an on-site tree nursery that helps restore woodland within its private concession and supports wildlife corridors connecting to Hwange’s wider ecosystem. Changa Safari Camp manages its shoreline vegetation to prevent erosion and provides nesting platforms for fish eagles. John’s Camp operates seasonally with a “leave no trace” ethos, dismantling all structures at the end of each season so the site can return to nature.

Each camp employs trained local guides with in-depth ecological knowledge, ensuring wildlife viewing is conducted ethically and sensitively. The guiding teams contribute to ongoing wildlife monitoring projects, recording sightings of key species such as elephants, lions and wild dogs to support Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority’s data collection.

Guests receive practical guidance on travelling responsibly – from keeping a respectful distance from wildlife to minimising waste and water use. This safari not only offers extraordinary encounters with nature, it also actively helps safeguard the biodiversity that makes Zimbabwe so special.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

All the lodges featured are Zimbabwean-owned or part of family-run safari operations that work closely with local communities.

Throughout the trip, guests have opportunities to engage directly with Zimbabwe’s rural economy, whether purchasing crafts from village cooperatives near Hwange or learning traditional fishing techniques at Lake Kariba. The focus is on authentic, small-scale interactions that put money directly into local hands.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

Across these camps, over 90% of staff are Zimbabwean, with many recruited from surrounding communities. Training and mentorship programmes enable guides, trackers and camp staff to develop long-term careers in conservation and tourism. Women are represented across multiple departments, including management, guiding and hospitality roles.

All staff are paid at or above the national minimum wage and receive ongoing training in both environmental management and guest services. Each camp fosters a respectful and inclusive working environment, ensuring employment opportunities are open regardless of background, gender or orientation.
This trip is LGBTQ+ friendly and welcomes solo travellers and couples alike. While the nature of bush camps means accessibility can be limited for those with mobility issues, we can adapt elements of the itinerary or recommend alternative lodges that better suit individual needs.

Through responsible employment, fair pay and genuine community partnership, this safari delivers tangible, long-term benefits to the people who call these wild landscapes home.