AT is critically aware that the wildlife resources and natural attractions of Africa require care from all stakeholders, and has not shied away from its corporate responsibility in protecting these resources. The group supports the following organisations or initiatives:
Africa Albida Tourism’s Green Steps to Sustainable Tourism - The Green Steps to Sustainable Tourism initiative is a commitment by all at Africa Albida Tourism (AAT) to consciously consider the environment in all the group’s activities.
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- Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit – a non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and natural resources in the Victoria Falls area. Established in 1999 by Victoria Falls Safari Lodge (AAT’s flagship property) and local conservationist and safari operator Charles Brightman.
- Victoria Falls Recycling – a new initiative where plastics and paper are being recycled, and in due course glass and beverage cans will be too, thereby protecting the local environment.
- Re-useable Water Bottles – to reduce plastic the group has introduced the environmentally friendly Natura water purification system where guests re-use glass bottles.
- Vulture Culture Experience – to protect the remarkable but endangered vultures, a supplementary feeding site has been established at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge.
- Pack for a Purpose – encourages travellers to pack much-needed supplies for schools or clinics in their suitcases, making a lasting impact on local communities.
- Victoria Falls Clean Up Campaigns – the regular removal of litter from the town to ensure visitors to this iconic destination enjoy their stay in clean surroundings.
- National Tree Planting Day – on the first Saturday in December each year Zimbabweans are encouraged to plant trees.
- Employment opportunities – wherever possible the group’s policy is to employ from the local communities and to provide requisite skills training.
- Local schools development – Africa Albida Tourism maintains close ties with local schools and assists with donations of goods and equipment when required.
- Communities in need – donate blankets, sheets, towels and crockery to the local orphanage and old people’s home. In addition, AAT also supports a vast number of other organisations, including Childline, Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Zimbabwe, SPCA, Island Hospice, VulPro, Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, KidzCan, Birdlife Zimbabwe, Matusadona Anti-Poaching Project, Bumi Hills Foundation, Emerald Hil Children’s Home, Save African Rhino Foundation.
The Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit
Central to Africa Albida Tourism’s extensive corporate social responsibility program is the protection of wildlife through the establishment and support of the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching unit (VFAPU).
VFAPU was founded in an effort to fight the alarming levels of poaching in the region.
In addition to organising and hosting the annual VFAPU Golf Day since 2001, which has raised nearly US$150,000 for the unit in the past seven years one, AAT pays the salary of six scouts and contributes to supplies for the unit.
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VFAPU’s mandate is to minimise poaching activities in its area of patrol – approximately 50 km2 surrounding Victoria Falls – as well as to rescue and rehabilitate animals injured by human interference.
VFAPU’s 17 scouts have to date arrested 734 hardened poachers, removed more than 22,300 wire snares from their area of patrol and rescued 224 mammals injured by snares.
VFAPU tackles all forms of poaching, from commercial poaching, such as ivory and meat, sold for profit, to subsistence poaching where locals poach animals and trees for food and firewood.
Successes include the capture of ivory dealers with nearly 10kg of elephant tusks; the rescue of a pangolin, which was sent to the Tikki Hywood Trust for rehabilitation, and the apprehension of two poachers in relation to this incident.
VFAPU, which operates patrols seven days a week, day and night, seeks to train and find an alternative means of livelihood for ex-poachers so that they have a sustainable income without harming flora and fauna.
Education is also important, and VFAPU and its partners reach out to children at an early age through school and community awareness programs.
The unit works closely with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
VICTORIA FALLS RECYCLING
In March 2018, Africa Albida Tourism launched Victoria Falls Recycling, an initiative that is expected to have a major impact on protecting the environment around one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
AAT has contracted well-known conservationist Charlene Hewat as a consultant to the group’s expanding corporate social responsibility program, with her first project being Victoria Falls Recycling.
Victoria Falls town is growing, and it is crucial that as much waste as possible is recycled and composted, thus reducing the amount of litter on the streets and waste landing on the dumpsites. Around 70 to 80 percent of waste is recyclable.
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So far Victoria Falls hotels, retailers and residents are taking great strides towards a clean, green environment by participating in the initiative, which is recycling plastics and papers, and in due course will expand to include glass and beverage cans.
Victoria Falls Recycling operates as a community-based project with local youths trained to operate the machines, sort waste, bale, load and manage the project, with the aim of creating a fully sustainable recycling program for Victoria Falls.
Victoria Falls Recycling is initially operating from an MT-owned site in the industrial area, but as the project develops it will relocate to a larger recycling site, designated by the Victoria Falls Municipality.
Victoria Falls Recycling is an AAT initiative in partnership with Greenline Africa Trust, PetrecoZim and Victoria Falls Municipality.
THE VULTURE CULTURE EXPERIENCE
Africa Albida Tourism operates the Vulture Culture Experience at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. This is a supplementary feeding program to aid the survival of these remarkable, but endangered birds. It also allows their numbers to be monitored and raises awareness
of their plight.
Vulture populations are dwindling due to a variety of human-created issues, including electrocution by power lines. Visitors witness the spectacular sight of hundreds of vultures swooping down to feed on leftover meat scraps from the lodge’s onsite restaurants.
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The daily Vulture Culture Experience is fascinating, educational and appeals to all age groups. AAT works in collaboration with VulPro, a leading vulture conservation program based in South Africa, as well as the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust on this project.
Proceeds raised through guests’ donations, US$1 from selected meals at the Buffalo Bar and MaKuwa-Kuwa Restaurant, and US$5 from the sale of vulture t-shirts at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge’s souvenir shop, go to vulture research and awareness programs.
PACK FOR A PURPOSE
As part of the global initiative Pack for a Purpose, guests are encouraged to become involved in the development of schools and clinics, with many bringing stationery, sports equipment and clothing, or medical supplies.
Africa Albida Tourism has supported Pack for a Purpose for the past five years, with guests so far donating more than 600kg of goods to local communities in need.
Pack for a Purpose founder Rebecca Rothney says the initiative makes it possible for the trip taken to go much farther than the kilometres travelled.
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Pack for a Purpose founder Rebecca Rothney says the initiative makes it possible for the trip taken to go much farther than the kilometres travelled.
“It is a simple and easy way to make your travel more meaningful, and everyone can participate whether it is a family holiday, a destination wedding or honeymoon or a business trip,” Ms Rothney says.
In the eight years since she started Pack for a Purpose travellers have packed more than 94,000kg of supplies, meeting essential needs in over 60 countries, she says.
Not all donations are literally “packed” – guests may alternatively provide a monetary donation to purchase items locally that support the community, she says.