Green Steps To Sustainable Tourism
The Green Steps to Sustainable Tourism initiative is a commitment by all at Africa Albida Tourism to consciously consider the environment in all the hospitality group’s activities. The group’s flagship property Victoria Falls Safari Lodge has long been a leader in eco-friendly tourism development in Southern Africa and charted the course with its construction, for which the hotel was awarded the Green Globe Distinction Award in 2000 for outstanding environmental practices. Since then eco-consciousness has been ingrained in its culture, and this was again evident during the construction of the luxurious 20-room Victoria Falls Safari Club, when contractors were virtually “fenced in” to protect the delicate environment. Large and small trees were fenced, a few were translocated and even the grasses were preserved and replanted after construction was complete.
The legendary values on which Victoria Falls Safari Lodge are founded inspire profound respect for the environment and foster a spirit of partnership with host communities. Africa Albida Tourism chairman Dave Glynn says: “This is our way of acknowledging the huge privilege we have and the responsibility we hold in our hands. By sustainably utilising the natural resources, caring for the flora and fauna, creating jobs and uplifting the communities in which we operate, AAT shares its love for Africa’s warm and hospitable people, her vibrant culture, incredible wildlife and immense physical beauty.”
Corporate Social Responsibility
Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is critically aware that the wildlife resources and natural attractions of Africa require care from all stakeholders, and in this regard, has not shied away from its corporate responsibilities in protecting these resources. The hotel’s social corporate responsibility initiatives include the following:
Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit
A dramatic increase in poaching in the Victoria Falls National Park and the Zambezi National Park led to the formation of the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit (VFAPU) by Charles Brightman, a local safari operator and conservationist, together with Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, in 1999.
The unit, whose mandate is to protect the wildlife and habitat within a 50km radius of Victoria Falls from all forms of commercial and subsistence poaching, began with three scouts, and now has 15, operating patrols 24 hours a day, every day of the year. VFAPU works in close co-operation with the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the Zimbabwe Republic Police, to achieve many successes.
VFAPU has so far removed almost 31,000 wire snares from its operational area, saved the lives of over 430 mammals injured in snares and arrested over 950 serious poachers. Victoria Falls Safari Lodge remains committed to supporting VFAPU, with the VFAPU Golf Day being our major annual fundraiser. We also pay the salaries of six scouts and contribute to supplies as necessary.
VFAPU relies solely on donations to survive. For more information visit the VFAPU website
In exciting news, VFAPU has merged with The Bhejane Trust under an association called the Wildlife Conservation Coalition (WCC), which was established to take over the joint management of these two well established trusts.
The merger allows for the pooling of resources and expertise, and unites conservation efforts in the region to achieve greater success.
Whilst both VFAPU and The Bhejane Trust maintain their individual brands and conservation mandates, their unity offers many great opportunities to enhance their conservation footprint.
Victoria Falls Recycling
Victoria Falls Recycling, the only recycling project in the region, was launched by AAT in 2018, in partnership with Greenline Africa, and is supported by Victoria Falls Municipality and other stakeholders. It is coordinated by well-known local environmental conservationist Charlene Hewat.
As Victoria Falls town grows, it is crucial that as much waste as possible is recycled and composted, thus reducing the amount of litter in rivers and wilderness areas, and the town’s dump, which is not a proper landfill site.
Victoria Falls Recycling collects papers, plastics, beverage cans and glass, which are packaged for recycling. The waste is transported to large recycling plants in Harare and South Africa where it is made into plastic bags, clothing and much more.
Currently the project is operating from an AAT-owned site but as it develops, it will relocate to a larger recycling area which has been designated by the Victoria Falls Municipality.
The operation has been set up as a community-based project with women and youth trained to operate the machines, sort waste, bale, load and manage it. In addition, Victoria Falls Recycling also works with locals who collect waste for a living and get paid per kilogram.
In 2020 Victoria Falls Recycling started upcycling, with the first upcycling initiative being the glass project, in which old bottles are turned into candle holders, wine glasses, tumblers and more, followed by the “banners to bags” project, where old corporate banners are being used to make bags and pencil cases for school children.
In addition, there are several more upcycling projects in the pipeline, with the vision being to create a hub where locals are taught new skills and will work onsite to create different products out of recyclable goods, with tourists visiting to buy.
The project is expected to have a major impact in protecting the environment around one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Download the Victoria Falls Recycling project overview below:
“Breaking Up” With Plastic
AAT’s vision is to be free of single-use plastic in 2021, and a major step towards achieving this has been the elimination of plastic water bottles from Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate. This was facilitated by the introduction of the Natura water system in 2019, which purifies water onsite and stores it in reusable glass bottles.
Prior to the introduction of the Natura water system, more than 80,000 plastic water bottles a year were used across the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate’s hotel rooms, restaurants and bars.
Read more about our bid to go “plastic free” by downloading the press release below:
Vulture Culture Experience
This vulture conservation project at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge offers visitors a uniquely close up experience with these remarkable but endangered birds. As well as aiding their survival, it creates awareness of their ecological importance and plight.
In Zimbabwe malicious poisoning by wildlife poachers to prevent them from alerting authorities to the crime scene is the single largest threat vultures face, while others include accidental poisoning, electrocution by power lines and the use of their parts for traditional medicines.
At 1pm daily, in front of Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, hundreds of vultures, including white-backed and lappet-faced vultures, swoop to feed on leftover meat scraps and bones from the onsite restaurants, which provides a safe food source without creating dependency.
The activity is free, while US$1 from selected meals at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge’s restaurants is donated to vulture conservation projects. The Vulture Culture Experience is supported by VulPro and the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust.
Pack for a Purpose
We are proud members of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows travellers like you to make a lasting impact in the community at your travel destination. If you save just a few kilos of space in your suitcase and bring supplies for local schools, medical clinics or other projects in need you will make a major impact on the local community. Alternatively, guests may provide a monetary donation to purchase items locally for the community. Our team can assist with advice and information.
Please click the link below for more information:
Victoria Falls Clean Up Campaigns
The staff and community at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate play an active part in the monthly Victoria Falls Clean Up Campaigns. A dedicated team of staff volunteer their time to join the community in an operation to keep the streets of Victoria Falls town and surrounding area clean and welcoming to our visitors from around the world.
National Tree Planting Day
AAT observes National Tree Planting Day on December 1 by planting indigenous trees on the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate.
