Image: Guests being welcomed and introduced to the Vukani Group, an income generating craft project on the border of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. This project falls within the Community Empowerment focus area for the African Bush Camps Foundation
“COMING TOGETHER IS A BEGINNING, KEEPING TOGETHER IS PROGRESS, WORKING TOGETHER IS SUCCESS” – Edward Hale
It was from the beginning that African Bush Camps recognized that to be a successful safari company there was a need to come together with surrounding communities and pioneer conservation, education and community empowerment efforts. It was with this realization that African Bush Camps and the African Bush Camps Foundation formed simultaneously, creating a fine balance of a tourism, conservation and community development company. Since 2006
African Bush Camps and the Foundation has kept working together to enhance the well-being of communities surrounding its properties on the borders of National Parks. By investing in relationships, to empower communities through education, skills development and infrastructure expansions. Groups are being enabled to empower themselves to a position where they can create better lives. Conservation efforts are being implemented to mitigate human/wildlife conflict and to reclaim areas which were previously considered marginal parts. These conservation efforts seem to have encouraged wildlife to return to formerly poached out spaces. Anti-poaching units have been established with our partners who will continue to preserve our wild spaces.
To ensure we continue to grow and develop successfully we encourage cohesion between our wildlife, communities and guests. With interest flooding in, on how guests can get more involved with our Foundation projects, African Bush Camps have crafted an immersive experience called the Community & Conservation Safari.
On each leg of this safari, guests will be able to visit the projects the Foundation has partnered with local communities on, giving guests a glimpse into the fascinating world of responsible tourism and why African Bush Camps and African Bush Camps Foundation co-exist.
Together we can turn goals and dreams into reality.
Press Contact, Gemma Heyns, gemma@africanbushcamps.com
