The positive power of the Zambezi Expedition

Months on and the conversation still turns to the Zambezi Expedition here in the office. We've been hearing what it’s like to drive a rail car through Hwange National Park, we can't help but ask what it felt like to be so close to a pangolin and we’re forever picking the team’s brains on their favourite lodges along the way. We simply love hearing about Paul, Ross and Laura’s time on this ground-breaking trip.

Not only are we the first tour operator to have travelled the length of the Zambezi River alongside our clients, but 100% of the expedition’s profits were donated to three of our chosen charities; Tusk, Ripple Effect (formally Send a Cow) and Northampton Saints Foundation.

Even after a two year postponement we were determined to make a positive impact and to champion the work of our partners in celebration of our 30th birthday.

We pledged to raise £1,000 for every year we’ve been crafting unique trips to our world’s wild places; £30,000 in total. And together with fundraising efforts here in the UK and profits from the expedition we’re delighted to share with you that we reached our goal.

This money will allow us to donate £10,000 each to Tusk, Ripple Effect and Northampton Saints Foundation. It will support specific projects that will ultimately empower and lift up communities both in the UK and in Africa.

But what does this really mean? How will this actually make a positive impact on the charities we were so steadfast in supporting?

“Wildlife and wild landscapes are not just ‘nice to haves’. Not only is Africa’s natural capital of immense economic value to local communities, the continent’s incredible biodiversity plays a huge role in fighting the climate crisis. Protecting these landscapes has never been more important. We are very grateful to Africa Exclusive for selecting us as one of the charities supported by the incredible Zambezi expedition.”

Ashleigh, Communications Manager from Tusk

1. Painted Dog Conservation

The project provides access to environmental education, healthcare, vaccinations, livestock security and in some cases electricity.

Funds raised will support livelihoods of local communities through boots on the ground, education, nutritional gardens, clinic, Art and Craft centre and vet services.

We spent time with the project during the Zambezi Expedition - watch the film here


2. Zambian Carnivore Programme

The initiative currently works across the country’s major large carnivore populations running long-term, field-based projects in Eastern Zambia’s Luangwa Valley, the Greater Liuwa Ecosystem, and the Greater Kafue Ecosystem.

Funding will help support conservation in action including anti-snaring, anti-trafficking and human-wildlife conflict mitigation, as well as land-use planning, large landscape conservation, and species restoration.

Funds will also support the Women in Wildlife Conservation Programme, which enables the employment and training of women throughout the organisation, helping them gain practical field experience.

3. Conservation Lower Zambezi

Funds will support ranger teams to keep patrols operating at full capacity, including general maintenance of vehicles, to ensure protection of the wildlife in the Lower Zambezi National Park and adjacent Chiawa and Rufunsa Game Management Areas.

In addition, the donation will fund two Human-Wildlife Conflict workshops conducted with the local communities. The goal is to encourage coexistence between animals and people, as well as to help prevent accidents and fatalities on both sides.

Visit Tusk Website

‘We would like to thank everyone who supported the Zambezi Exhibition this year, along with the amazing team at Africa Exclusive who took part in Paddling for Prosperity to raise funds for Ripple Effect’s vital work in Africa’.

Becky Moorcroft, Corporate Partnerships Manager, Ripple Effect.

Ripple Effect (formerly Send a Cow) has identified that poverty in Africa is multi-dimensional and has risen in recent years. Now the triple threats of the climate crisis, Covid-19, and conflict threaten to push 150 million more people into extreme poverty. More than 60% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa are smallholder farmers, but agriculture is under constant threat from the effects of the climate crisis.

Having enough water for family consumption and agricultural production can be a challenge for African farmers, particularly as weather patterns become increasingly erratic due to climate change. Many families cannot save water for the dry periods, which can last up to 4 months at a time, and regular droughts reduce the quality of soil, making it more vulnerable to erosion.

With a donation of £10,000, families working with Ripple Effect will learn to build and maintain rainwater catchment tanks and protect springs. The rainwater storage tanks capture rainwater runoff, usually from the roof of the house, directing any surplus into the tank. This means that families have water all year round, and can continue to produce fodder for their livestock and grow vegetables to provide vital nutrition during the dry months.

Ripple Effect will also provide families with drought-resistant vegetable seeds which will have the best chance of surviving periods of extreme drought and flooding. In addition, farmers will receive basic farm tools and a variety of fruit tree seedlings to plant for soil protection, shade and fruit. With better management of water, trees and soil we can ensure that farms are productive, sustainable, diverse and resilient.

Opening up new opportunities for the young people to thrive

‘Having transportation in place allows the Foundation to plan further opportunities for young people over the academic year. Not only do the sessions help their future education, training or employment options, it helps to improve their wellbeing and helps them to shape their futures”.

Craig Phillips, Employability Lead at Northampton Saints Foundation

The new vehicle allows young people on the Northampton Saints Foundation 16+ programmes to be transported to work experience, volunteering opportunities and activities where they use the values of rugby and the power of sport to learn new skills and gain qualifications to improve their employability.