Eco Safari in Zambia: How Your Trip Can Change Lives and Protect Wildlife

10 Ways Booking A Sustainable Safari Supports Conservation

The power of an eco safari in Zambia is breathtaking… waking up to the sounds of a lion’s roar, the calls of fish eagles echoing across the Lower Zambezi and the golden glow of a Zambian sunrise. This is Zambia – raw, untamed and beautiful.

But, beyond its beauty lies a deeper truth – your journey plays a vital role. Responsible tourism helps protect these landscapes, ensuring they remain intact for future generations. It also supports local communities, creating opportunities for Zambia that can make a lasting difference.

At Royal Zambezi Lodge, we believe that African Safaris should be more than just a luxury escape; they should be a force for good.

That’s why we’ve dedicated ourselves to eco-tourism – ensuring that every visit leaves a lasting, positive impact on both the people and the wildlife of Zambia.

Our dedication to sustainable tourism has been recognised on the world stage. In 2024, we were honoured to receive the Haute Grandeur Award for Best Eco Safari Lodge in Africa. In 2023, we were also named the Best Eco-friendly Lodge on a global level – our commitment to uplifting local communities has also earned us the title of Best Community-Focused Lodge on a global scale.

We believe that eco safaris are more than just experiencing the rare wildlife up close, they are a shield against habitat destruction, poaching and climate change. The Lower Zambezi National Park is not only our home but is one of Africa’s last true wildernesses, and without responsible tourism, it would face the same fate as many other exploited landscapes.

Here are 10 ways that your visit helps to protect the Lower Zambezi’s ecosystem and supports local communities:

1. Your Trip Sponsors Anti-Poaching Efforts

Zambia faces the troubling reality of poaching – with elephants and rhinos sadly being prime targets for illegal wildlife trade. Poaching and wildlife trafficking are major threats to the wonderful biodiversity of Zambia, especially in areas like the Lower Zambezi National Park – where we’re the proud home of large populations of elephants and other iconic species.

As long-standing platinum members of Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ) since its inception, Royal Zambezi Lodge proudly supports CLZ’s leadership in spearheading wildlife conservation efforts in the Lower Zambezi Detection Dog Unit, part of CLZ’s broader Wildlife Protection Programme. Located just 15 minutes from the Lodge, CLZ’s base offers guests a unique opportunity to visit the K9 unit, witness their work firsthand, and learn more about the anti-poaching strategies and community outreach projects many of which we also support – that help mitigate human-wildlife conflict and ensure Zambia’s wildlife continues to thrive.

2. Your Stay Supports Fisheries Protection

The Zambezi River is home to several underwater species – and yet overfishing and unsustainable practices threaten the delicate ecosystem. Unfortunately, Zambia has experienced a decline in its biodiversity over the years due to these pressures.

At Royal Zambezi Lodge, we support responsible fishing and strictly adhere to a catch-and-release policy for all anglers. We also provide funding to the Lower Zambezi Fisheries Management Project to help protect fish populations and maintain the long-term health of the river ecosystem for future generations to come. By supporting sustainable practices, we ensure that the river remains a thriving habitat for both the fish and the broader wildlife that rely on it.

3. Royal Zambezi Lodge Provides Land for Conservation

In the Lower Zambezi region, conservation requires resources and land to respond quickly to threats. The challenges of human encroachment and deforestation are on the rise as communities look for land to cultivate and to settle. To help curb these threats, we donate land on our airstrip to Conservation Lower Zambezi for a patrol plane hangar. This allows for faster air support to combat poaching, providing a quicker, proactive strategy to safeguard Zambia’s wildlife – it’s a small but vital piece of the puzzle enabling Zambia to be more protected.

4. We Hire Locally

In rural Zambia, finding steady work and real opportunities can be tough. That’s why at Royal Zambezi Lodge, we’re proud that over 80% of our amazing team – our Royal Family, come from nearby communities. We don’t just offer jobs; we help build futures. Whether it’s guiding guests through the bush, cooking up delicious meals (check out our Zambian cuisine), fixing things behind the scenes, or stepping into leadership roles, we provide hands-on training and real chances to grow. It’s about believing in people, building skills, and creating brighter futures together.

We actively contribute where we can to the economic stability of the Chiawa Game Management Area and ensure that the local community benefits directly from the tourism economy. By helping our staff to develop their skills and grow in their careers, we empower the local workforce whilst also garnering community support for wider conservation efforts.

5. Your Trip Supports Educational Empowerment

Education is essential to creating sustainable conservation practices and also supporting the future generation of Zambia. Unfortunately, many rural areas face limited access to quality education and resources.

Your stay with us at Royal Zambezi Lodge contributes to our donations to local schools – providing educational materials, funding teachers’ salaries and introducing technology such as Edu-pads. New technology such as these not only provide these young students with new ways to learn, but also equip local students with the knowledge they need to participate in preserving Zambia’s natural heritage in the future, too. Guests are also encouraged to participate through our partnership with ‘Pack for a Purpose’, which allows travellers to bring much-needed supplies that directly benefit local schools and communities.

6. You Can Help To Improve Healthcare

In rural Zambia, access to healthcare is often a significant challenge, where many communities don’t have the reliable access they need to medical supplies and facilities. This has particularly affected maternal health, with limited resources for mothers who are expecting.

At Royal Zambezi Lodge, we’ve partnered with guests to help improve healthcare in the Chiawa community by installing a solar-powered fridge in the local clinic. This ensures that perishable medicines are safely stored, directly contributing to the community’s well-being.

7. We Support New Health Infrastructure

Healthcare infrastructure remains one of Zambia’s greatest needs. With over 4,000 people in the surrounding villages relying on basic medical services, the need for proper healthcare facilities is immense.

In 2015, we partnered with the Kartagener Associates Inc. Foundation to fund and build the Claire Kartagener Maternity Ward. This state-of-the-art facility has provided safe childbirths to local women, and we continue to work on projects like doctor accommodations to further improve healthcare availability. Your stay at Royal Zambezi Lodge helps ensure that vital healthcare infrastructure continues to grow and support the community.

8. Our Lodge Uses Solar Power

Zambia, like many African nations, is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with the impact on energy resources being particularly prominent. The rising demand for power, especially in off-the-grid areas, exacerbates issues of sustainability.

To combat this, we’ve implemented a 480-panel solar farm that powers the entire lodge, running 100% off the grid. This initiative not only reduces our carbon footprint but also ensures the energy used in our operations is sustainable, supporting our broader efforts to tackle climate change. Our solar project is a key part of Royal Zambezi Lodge’s mission to lead by example in sustainable tourism.

9. We Are Committed To Being Plastic-Free

Plastic pollution is a growing global issue, and Zambia is no exception. The country faces significant environmental challenges due to the build-up of plastic waste, which harms ecosystems and wildlife.

In response, we’ve committed to eliminating plastic from our lodge’s operations. We’ve replaced plastic straws with reusable alternatives and eco-friendly storage options like STASHER bags to help reduce waste. We also provide guests with branded refillable water bottles, promoting a waste-free experience throughout their stay. By going plastic-free, we are not only reducing our own environmental footprint but also inspiring others to follow suit!

10. Supporting Forest Conservation

Zambia is home to some of the world’s most important forests, but deforestation and land degradation threaten these vital ecosystems. The Lower Zambezi National Park is one of the country’s most ecologically diverse areas – yet it faces ongoing deforestation and illegal logging.

We’re proud to support BioCarbon Partners and the Lower Zambezi REDD+ Project, which protected over 40,000 hectares of forest. This initiative, the first of its kind in Zambia, helps to mitigate climate change by isolating carbon and is a global model for forest conservation. By supporting this project, we contribute to Zambia’s efforts to fight climate change while protecting the habitats of countless species.

Book Sustainable Luxury at Royal Zambezi Lodge

By choosing an eco safari at Royal Zambezi Lodge – you’re not just exploring the beauty of Zambia – you’re playing a direct role in preserving it for generations to come! Thank you for being part of our mission to protect this incredible wilderness, our home and its people.