CONSERVATION SAFARI EXPERIENCES
Travel With Purpose
Matobo Hills & Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Why travel With
Purpose?
The world's most discerning travellers are no longer satisfied with simply observing Africa from the comfort of a game drive vehicle. They want to feel something deeper, and more importantly, leave a place better than they found it.
At Amalinda Safari Collection, we have been spearheading conservation and community upliftment for over three decades. Our conservation safaris are built around the work of the Mother Africa Trust, our non-profit arm whose community and wildlife projects span the Matobo Hills and Hwange National Park. When you choose to travel with purpose, you have the opportunity to become part of our conservation success story.
This is what the safari industry is beginning to call regenerative travel. For us, it’s just home.
conservation is at the heart of everything we do
Every stay at an Amalinda property includes a nightly Mother Africa Trust Conservation & Community Levy (MACCL), which funds our projects directly on the ground. But for those who want to go further, roll up their sleeves, meet the people, and see the work with their own eyes, our conservation safaris are designed for you.
Working alongside our dedicated Mother Africa Trust Field Officers, you'll have the rare opportunity to step inside the conservation story rather than observe it from a distance. From protecting endangered rhino to building the infrastructure that changes lives, every day on a purpose-driven safari with Amalinda is a day that matters.
BUILD LION PROOF BOMAS
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Reducing Conflict, Protecting Predators
One of the most significant threats to Zimbabwe's lion population is the retaliatory killing that follows when predators take livestock from communities living on the edge of the park. The lion-proof boma programme, run in partnership with local families and our Anti-Poaching Unit, addresses this challenge directly by building secure enclosures that protect livestock overnight without the need for lethal means.
Guests who participate in a boma-building day contribute tangibly to this work and leave with a particular satisfaction that is difficult to replicate. This is practical, physical, purposeful conservation, and you can help build it with your own hands.
Anti poaching patrol
Hwange
Walk the Frontlines of Wildlife Protection
Our 15,000-acre private concession in Hwange is patrolled daily by a dedicated team of male and female rangers whose work keeps wildlife safe, and whose commitment is the reason so much of what you'll see on a game drive is still here to be seen. On an anti-poaching patrol with the Mother Africa Trust's unit, you'll join these rangers in the field learning to identify and remove snares, understanding the tactics used to protect wildlife, and gaining a profound appreciation for the human dedication behind every great conservation success story.
It is one of the most hands-on experiences we offer, and one that guests consistently describe as a highlight of their time with us.
Rhino tracking
Matopos
Get Closer to Africa's Most Endangered Giants
Zimbabwe holds one of Africa's most important populations of both white and black rhino, and the Matobo Hills is among the finest places on the continent to encounter them on foot. On a guided rhino tracking experience, you'll walk alongside expert trackers, reading the landscape for signs of these magnificent animals before approaching on foot; no fences, no vehicles, just you and one of the world's most iconic species.
Along the way, your guide will share the realities of rhino conservation: the threats they face, the victories achieved, and the extraordinary vigilance required to keep them safe. It is an experience that stays with you long after you leave Zimbabwe.
COMMUnity Visits
Matopos & Hwange
The Human Side of Conservation: Schools, orphanages & elders
True conservation cannot exist without the support and wellbeing of the communities that share the land. Our Mother Africa Trust projects extend well beyond wildlife to the children at Ethandweni Children's Home who need a safe and loving environment, the students at Mabale Primary School whose futures depend on quality education, and the elders at Dete Old Age Home who might otherwise be forgotten entirely.
Spending time with these communities is a reminder that the health of an ecosystem and the wellbeing of its people are inseparable, and that your presence, your time, and your contribution make a genuine, lasting difference.
Wildlife GAME COUNTs
Hwnge
Become a Citizen Scientist for a Night
Data is the foundation of effective conservation, and in Hwange it is gathered the old-fashioned way: by people sitting quietly at waterholes, counting every animal that comes to drink. Amalinda offers a full moon game count, where guests have the opportunity to join our team in tracking the numbers and species of wildlife moving through the concession overnight. It is a uniquely peaceful experience, and the data you help collect is used by conservation managers to understand population trends and inform decision-making.
For those visiting during the right window, we also offer the opportunity to participate in the official Annual Hwange Game Count, organised in collaboration with Wildlife and Environment Zimbabwe (WEZ). This is one of the longest-running citizen science programmes in the country, and a rare privilege to be part of.
Meet THE PEOPLE
Mother Africa Trust
Project Manager
Lucky mathe
Lucky is an advocate for community development conservation with over seven years of experience leading and managing community-based projects. He is deeply committed to promoting socio-economic development and empowering vulnerable communities through sustainable and inclusive approaches. His work focuses on supporting community-led initiatives, and fostering partnerships for long-term impact. Lucky is also passionate about eco-tourism and social entrepreneurship, which support conservation and create economic opportunities for local communities.
Willz is a dedicated team member at Mother Africa Trust, focusing on community development initiatives that promote sustainable coexistence between people and wildlife. He leads human-wildlife conflict mitigation efforts, including the construction of predator-proof structures to protect livelihoods. In addition, he manages data for the anti-poaching unit and plays a key role in monitoring and evaluating community projects. Willz also conducts awareness campaigns to educate communities on the importance of wildlife conservation.
Willbroad NCUBE
Field Operations
Sharon Stead, founder and chairperson of Mother Africa Trust, established the organisation out of a deep love for her country and a belief that tourism should uplift the communities it touches. Inspired by personal experience and driven by compassion, she created the Trust as a way for Amalinda Safari Collection guests to support impactful conservation and community projects. What began with volunteer-led efforts has grown into a respected initiative focused on education, healthcare, and wildlife protection. Sharon remains closely involved, guiding the Trust with a clear vision and unwavering commitment.
Sharon Stead
Founder & Chariman
A Journey With
Intention
The safari industry is experiencing a fundamental shift. Today's travellers, particularly those investing in longer, premium experiences, are increasingly asking not just where they are going, but what their journey will contribute. The latest trends confirm that conservation-focused and hands-on experiences are now among the most sought-after elements of any safari itinerary, with a marked shift away from traditional observation-only formats toward more meaningful travel that truly contributes.
At Amalinda Safari Collection, we have never needed to retrofit this thinking into our offering. The Mother Africa Trust has been the backbone of everything we do since our founding in 1990. The communities around Matobo and Hwange are central characters in the story.
When you travel with us, your stay funds scholarships, builds schools and health infrastructure, protects endangered wildlife, empowers women through income-generating projects, and sustains livelihoods across two of Zimbabwe's most ecologically significant landscapes.
Planning Your Conservation Safari
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Both Matobo and Hwange offer remarkable experiences year-round. The dry season (May–October) delivers the best wildlife viewing, as animals congregate around waterholes and vegetation thins. The green season (November–April) brings lush landscapes, excellent birding, and a quieter, more intimate atmosphere. The Annual Hwange Game Count typically takes place in the dry season — contact us for specific dates.
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We recommend a minimum of 6 nights to fully experience both destinations and allow adequate time for meaningful project engagement. Shorter stays focused on a single property are also possible — speak to our team about what works for your schedule.
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A nightly Mother Africa Trust Conservation & Community Levy (MACCL) is automatically included in your stay at any Amalinda property. This fee goes directly to on-the-ground projects and is entirely separate from any additional conservation activities you choose to participate in.
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Amalinda Lodge (Matobo Hills) is 45km from Bulawayo Airport. Khulu Bush Camp, Sable Valley and Ivory Lodge (Hwange) are approximately 8km from Hwange Airport and 180km from Victoria Falls Airport. Our transfer company, Driving You Wild, handles all road logistics between properties and airports — ask our reservations team to arrange this when you book.
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Comfortable, neutral-coloured clothing is ideal for game drives and conservation activities. Closed, sturdy footwear and work gloves are recommended for boma-building days. Sun protection, closed footwear and long pants are recommended for anti-poaching patrols, and rhino tracking. For game count nights, bring a warm layer — Hwange evenings can be cool, particularly in the dry season.
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