Going Above and Beyond in Zimabwe

We’re fortunate—and intentional—in finding partners who inspire us with their commitment to conservation through travel. For this month’s Conservation Highlight, we’re heading to Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, where the team behind Imvelo Safari Lodges is going above and beyond in their conservation and community efforts.

On our first visit to Hwange, we were awed not only by the landscape—vast acacia plains, roaming elephants, prowling lions—but by the people guiding us through it. Imvelo isn’t just a safari operator. They’re educators, conservationists, community leaders, and deeply rooted stewards of the land. Every choice they make is grounded in the belief that conservation and community must go hand in hand.

Imvelo’s work offers powerful proof that when done thoughtfully, travel doesn’t just minimize harm—it can drive meaningful, lasting good.

An Inspiring Model for Conservation

Imvelo’s approach to conservation is inherently local. In a region where wildlife and people live side by side, their work is based on a simple but often overlooked idea: if conservation is going to succeed, the people who live closest to the land must benefit from protecting it.

This philosophy is behind the Hwange Community Rhino Conservation Initiative. This bold, community-led project brought white rhinos back to this part of Zimbabwe for the first time in generations. The program is built on trust and participation rather than building fences or excluding nearby villages. Local leadership is involved at every level—from planning and employment to security and education.

The result is more resilient than a typical protected area. This is conservation grown from within, rather than imposed from outside.

Education as a Long-Term Investment

Imvelo also invests heavily in education—not just in theory, but in ways that are personal, consistent, and meaningful. In 2024 alone, they supported 14 schools and over 3,000 students in communities near their lodges with school meals during two school terms. Their work ranges from building and repairing school infrastructure to providing supplies, training teachers, and funding scholarships.

One recent moment exemplifies this approach: students from the nearby Mlevu School were invited to visit the new rhino sanctuary, many for the first time. They didn’t just see rhinos—they spent time with the rangers who protect them, learned about the animal’s role in the ecosystem, and engaged in thoughtful conversation about conservation. As Imvelo’s team believes, “These kids are our future conservationists, wildlife guardians, vets, and scientists.”

It’s one thing to support a cause. It’s another to build relationships that will shape and nurture it for years to come.

Why We Travel with Imvelo

We choose our partners carefully, based not just on the experiences they offer but also on the values they live by. In Imvelo’s team, we see a rare combination of humility, heart, and action. They are quiet leaders in a region that matters deeply—not just for its wildlife but also for the people who share its space.

It’s an honor to bring guests to Hwange, knowing their presence supports communities and ecosystems well beyond the lodge walls. This is more than conservation—it’s dynamic collaboration. On every visit, we’re so impressed by how productive Imvelo’s approach proves to be. They show us, time and again, that when people are deeply invested—in both the land and those who call it home—they can support significant and lasting change.

Travel to Zimbabwe

Explore our Footsteps of Giants Itinerary to experience the wildlife, community, and conservation first-hand on a specially designed Safari through Hwange National Park.

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