At Amalinda Safari Collection, we believe a safari can do so much more than show you wildlife. Through the Mother Africa Trust (MAT) and your support via the MACC levy, 2025 became a year of growth, collaboration, and real, on-the-ground impact. Whether you stayed at Khulu Bush Camp, Sable Valley, Amalinda Lodge, or Ivory Lodge, your visit helped fund meaningful work in conservation, education, and community uplifting across Hwange and Matobo Hills. As one of the leading contributors to wildlife and community conservation in Zimbabwe, Amalinda Safari Collection is proud to connect each guest’s journey to long-term, positive change on the ground.

Here’s a look at what we accomplished together this past year.

Conservation: Frontline Protection and a Life Saved

The Mother Africa Anti-Poaching Unit continued to serve as a critical force in safeguarding Hwange’s wildlife corridors. This team is made up of trained scouts who monitor vast areas surrounding Hwange National Park, where poaching and illegal activity still pose a threat to elephants and other species.

One moment this year reminded us all why this work is so vital. During a routine patrol, the MAT APU, in collaboration with the Cobras Community Wildlife Protection Unit, discovered a young elephant caught in a wire snare. The wound was deep and life-threatening. Thanks to their quick response, and with support from Mother Africa Trust, a veterinary team was called in. The elephant was darted, treated, and freed, marking another life saved through the collective power of conservation partnerships.

These are the stories behind the scenes. They remind us that every MACC contribution makes a difference. Guests staying with Amalinda are directly supporting the people and tools needed to protect Zimbabwe’s most vulnerable wildlife.

Education: Laying Strong Foundations

Across Matobo Hills and Hwange, education remained a central focus in 2025. Many rural schools face challenges with infrastructure, resources, and staffing. Mother Africa Trust responded with practical, community-driven support.

School Infrastructure: We helped fund the renovation of classrooms and sanitation blocks, and supported new water systems to improve hygiene.

Learning Materials and Uniforms: Dozens of children received books, stationery, and uniforms—simple tools that make the difference between staying in school or dropping out.
ECD (Early Childhood Development): We continued to back the region’s youngest learners through furniture donations, teacher stipends, and supplies.
School Feeding Programs: These meals help boost attendance and learning, especially in communities where food insecurity is a real concern.

Women’s Empowerment: Creating Pathways to Independence

In both Hwange and Matopos, women’s groups continued to grow in confidence and reach. In Dete, the Women’s Empowerment Group received support to produce and sell handmade crafts through Amalinda’s boutiques. These earnings go directly to the women and their families, providing financial relief and self-sufficiency.

In Matobo Hills, the Sewing Project enabled more women to gain practical skills, creating clothing and soft furnishings for sale locally and through the safari collection. These projects go beyond income to include dignity, purpose, and investing in women as leaders in their communities.

Skills Training: Practical Support for Lasting Change

Beyond education, MAT delivered hands-on training to help households thrive:

Conservation Agriculture: Families learned sustainable farming methods that improve food security and reduce pressure on the environment.
Beekeeping and Carpentry: These skills open new paths to income and provide alternatives to resource-dependent practices.
Craft Production: Programs focused on handmade goods continue to connect local talent with new markets through safari visitors and partner organizations.

Youth Outreach: Shaping the Conservationists of Tomorrow

Conservation education remained a cornerstone of MAT’s outreach work. School programs in both Hwange and Matopos engaged students with topics like anti-poaching, ecosystem protection, and the importance of biodiversity. These sessions spark curiosity and build respect for wildlife from a young age, ensuring that future generations grow up seeing themselves as stewards of Zimbabwe’s natural heritage.

Working Together with Purpose

Everything achieved in 2025 was made possible by partnerships with National Parks, the Forestry Commission, our dedicated suppliers, and, most importantly, with our guests. The MACC levy collected through every booking helps fund this work year-round, creating long-term stability and enabling fast response when it matters most.

From emergency wildlife interventions to community development and education, every guest who books a stay at an Amalinda Safari Collection property is part of the solution.

When you stay with us, you’re helping wildlife live free. You’re helping children go to school with pride. You’re giving mothers the tools to build a business. And you’re helping Zimbabwe’s landscapes and communities thrive.

We can’t wait to share more impact with you in the year ahead.

Download the full Mother Africa Trust annual newsletter for an in-depth look at the work you support by traveling with us.

Thriving Communities: What You Helped Achieve in 2025 Through Mother africa trust