Imvelo Safari Lodges: Connecting people and nature
Our SDG Impact Lab Fellows Amy Booth and Buntu Fanteso have reached Africa! They are visiting tourism companies to learn more about their sustainability efforts. Their recent engagement with Imvelo Safari Lodges provided incredible insights on how tourism can be a force for good in local communities and the environment. The Fellows will incorporate insights from Imvelo into the development of an environmental, social, and governance framework for tourism businesses.
About Imvelo
Imvelo Safari Lodges is a collection of eco-friendly lodges situated in some of Zimbabwe's most stunning and remote wilderness areas, in and around Hwange National Park. Dedicated to preserving the natural environment and supporting local communities, Imvelo offers guests an authentic and immersive safari experience. The company not only offers luxurious lodges but is also deeply committed to sustainability, playing a vital role in conserving wildlife and enhancing the livelihoods of the people living in this area. Imvelo Safari Lodges stands as a beacon of best practices in sustainable tourism, showcasing a unique and deeply integrated approach to environmental and social responsibility.
Conservation at the Heart of Sustainability
Central to Imvelo’s mission is to bring people closer to nature and develop a symbiotic relationship between conservation, local communities, and responsible tourism. One of their pivotal projects is their rhino conservation initiative, aiming to bring rhinos, that had previously been eradicated through poaching, back to the region. This project not only protects one of Africa’s most iconic species but also serves as a cornerstone for community education and engagement. Local leaders and their communities, recognising the importance of rhinos in attracting tourists, have played a crucial role in this conservation effort. Their willingness to allocate land to rhino conservation is a testament to the trust and mutual respect that has been built through years of collaboration. As a result of these efforts, the community has developed a newfound respect for nature. What was once seen as a negative force is now recognised as a vital component of their economic and social well-being. This transformation highlights the power of tourism to drive positive change, not just for the environment, but for people as well.
A Model of Community Engagement
At Imvelo, the relationship between tourism and the local community is one of true partnership. Through funds from the rhino conservation project and other tourist donors, Imvelo is able to provide employment opportunities for local individuals as well as fund essential services, such as boreholes, schools and a clinic, directly benefiting the local population. The community is involved in every decision about how to use resources obtained from tourism, reflecting transparent avenues of communication between communities and the company, and ensuring that tourism activities align with local values and needs. The local community has seen firsthand the economic value that tourism brings. This shift in perspective has been largely driven by Imvelo’s efforts to engage tourists in meaningful ways, encouraging them to interact with and learn from the local community.
Learn More and Get Involved
To learn more about the incredible work being done by Imvelo Safari Lodges and how you can contribute to their ongoing efforts, visit their website and follow them on social media. Imvelo Safari Lodges continues to inspire with their commitment to sustainability, setting a benchmark for what tourism can achieve when it is rooted in respect for both people and the planet.
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