Ethical Tourism

Wild Horizons at a Glance

Wild Horizons is an eco-tourism operator devoted to conserving and celebrating the pristine natural wilderness in which we operate.

From the Zambezi River to the National Park, we are wholeheartedly invested in Africa’s pristine and unique natural beauty.

We work tirelessly to preserve and protect the environment in every dimension of the business, sharing ecotourism’s benefits with the communities that we work alongside.

Behind every Wild Horizons venture is a purpose aimed at creating an enriching travel experience for our guests while conserving Africa’s wilderness and wildlife for the local communities and future generations.

Mission Statement

“Wild Horizons endeavors to minimize negative effects on the natural and social environment whilst maintaining economic viability of the company. We safeguard our land’s rich biodiversity, champion visitor fulfillment and promote community well-being for the benefit of our grandchildren.”

Wildlife Ambassadors

The elephant herds that live in the sanctuary act as wildlife ambassadors for their species to champion a message of coexistence with their rural and urban neighbours. Wildlife ambassadors are animals that can not be successfully rehabilitated, and by sharing their rescue stories, these animals act as ambassadors for their species to increase awareness of their plight in the wild. Research shows that wildlife ambassadors provide compelling experiences needed for people to gain personal connections and relationships with nature.

Conservation Education Program

We believe that education is the pillar that will uphold and support sustainable conservation, and the Trust is actively involved with the next generation of conservationists and environmental leaders. Annually, over a thousand school children are transported to the Trust, where they have the opportunity to observe the wildlife ambassadors and learn from a team of passionate conservationists, who become their role models and mentors. By addressing the next generation of decision-makers, we hope to inspire them to care for their natural heritage and to become the guardians of these areas in the future.

Travelife Partner - Victoria Falls

Wild Horizons is a proud Travelife partner, committed to sustainable and responsible tourism. Our eco-friendly practices, from tours to supplier management, reduce environmental impact while enhancing guest experiences, staff engagement and business efficiency. Travelife certification showcases our dedication to ethical tourism and a greener Victoria Falls, ensuring unforgettable adventures with a positive impact.

Soccer Kit Donations

Sport has the power to bring people together through a shared sense of community and purpose, and we believe that this alignment is incremental to fostering a relationship with local communities. Wild Horizons donated two soccer balls and soccer kit for 18 players in the Sizinda community soccer team, Cremora FC. Our support and involvement with their team have opened the door to future collaboration, be this in the realm of sport or conservation. We believe that this company is not a sole entity, but a member of the greater Victoria Falls community.

Chogm Garden

Chinotimba Vegetable Garden

Nestled within the Chinotimba township area, a community of people living with HIV/AIDS has cultivated a vegetable garden, and Wild Horizons supplies them with gardening implements, seeds and fertiliser to support this empowering and uplifting initiative.

Donations To The Old Age Home

In collaboration with the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe, Wild Horizons contributes to the salaries of employees at the local Old Age Home. Once a year, we donate gas for their stove and host a meal for the people residing there.

School Fee Payment

Wild Horizons is a community-oriented organisation, and our dedication to the next generation’s future extends beyond conservation into the realm of school education. To this end, we pay the school fees of 67 children at eight rural schools in the region.

Clean Up Team

Once a month, Wild Horizons, together with other tourism entities in the area, embark on a litter sweep throughout the town, helping to keep Victoria Falls clean.

Home-Hosted Meals

The tourism industry is a vessel for cultural exchange, and at Wild Horizons, we celebrate the ethnic and cultural diversity of our staff and communities. We pioneered home-hosted meals, allowing our team to share their heritage with visitors. Nineteen staff members from tribes like Shona, Ndebele, Nambya, and Nyanja participate. We provide transport, water, and soft drinks, while the host family prepares a meal. This initiative offers extra income for families and enriches guests’ travel experiences by promoting appreciation of local cultures.

Rainforest Raincoat Project

Empowering Communities, One Raincoat at a Time – One of Wild Horizons’ most impactful community initiatives, the Rainforest Raincoat Project, continues to make a meaningful difference. By supporting local vendors and their families, we provide high-quality raincoats that guests can hire when exploring the Victoria Falls rainforest. This sustainable initiative not only delivers a reliable income for vendors, but it also ensures every rainforest adventure remains dry, enjoyable, and unforgettable. When you book a Wild Horizons Guided Tour of the Falls, raincoat hire is already included, meaning that your tour directly supports this initiative and helps uplift the local community. You’re not just discovering nature’s wonders – you’re making a positive impact, one raincoat at a time.

This initiative has been successfully changing lives since 2010 and we aim to grow the number of vendors we support annually. Currently supporting a total of 56 vendors which translates to approximately 224 people.

Support for VFAPU

The Victoria Falls Anti Poaching Unit has been instrumental in reducing instances of poaching, and we applaud their momentous success. Wild Horizons sponsors three officers employed by VFAPU to assist with anti-poaching activities in and around Victoria Falls.

The Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust

Wild Horizons established the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, a non-profit entity and dedicated vehicle for promoting conservation awareness, education and the empowerment of local communities, through the sustainable use of endemic resources. The Trust is situated within the Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary, adjacent to The Elephant Camp, and works in collaboration with authorities, local communities, and other stakeholders to protect the area’s indigenous fauna and flora. From humble beginnings in 2008, the Trust is now world renown for unprecedented success in research, outreach, rescue and rehabilitation.

Greener Victoria Falls

Advancing Biogas Digesters in Victoria Falls – Since 2021, Wild Horizons has supported the installation of 62 biogas digesters in Victoria Falls, promoting sustainable energy and waste management. Biogas digesters convert organic waste into clean, renewable energy, reducing reliance on firewood and fossil fuels while lowering greenhouse gas emissions. These systems contribute to environmental conservation, improve air quality and provide cost-effective energy solutions for local communities and tourism operations. This initiative reflects Wild Horizons’ ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism and eco-friendly practices in the Victoria Falls region.

Lodge Eco Initiatives

Organic Gardens

Our organic vegetable garden provides fresh seasonal ingredients and herbs free from pesticides and with zero food miles.

Solar Heating

All geysers at The Elephant Camp West are solar powered, and we have begun the process of installing solar geysers throughout The Elephant Camp Main, where the kitchen and laundry already operate on solar power. All 24 geysers at Old Drift Lodge are solar powered and our investment in renewable energy supplies has drastically reduced our carbon footprint and emission of harmful greenhouse gases.

Grey Water Use

We are committed to ensuring that any negative impact from our operations is minimised and all positive impact is maximised. In line with our minimal waste philosophy, we use grey water for irrigation in all of our lodges, notably on our indigenous tree nursery. The sewage systems in our camps are “Bio Plants”, designed by Water Africa. The “Bio Plant” uses bacteria and ozone gas extracted from the environment to treat the sewage and produce grey water, which is pumped onto natural vegetation for dispersal. By using greywater for our tree nursery, we reduce the camps need for fresh water, which benefits the broader community by reducing the demands on public water supplies. It further saves expenses on water bills, and this revenue can be channelled into other environmental initiatives, such as the instalment of solar geysers.

Indigenous Tree Nursery

To rehabilitate areas previously depleted by uncontrolled wood harvesting, The Elephant Camp created an indigenous tree nursery. Only local tree species are planted from seed and transplanted once established. Sticks coated in chili oil deter wildlife from damaging saplings. According to our Environmental Officer, this method has improved tree survival and enhanced vegetation. Recently, 155 trees were planted around the Wallow, the Sanctuary, the Wildlife Trust, and the Masuwe River wetlands, including species like Faidherbia albida, Kigelia africana, and Acacia tortilis.

Waste-Free Wild Horizons

Plastic pollution is a global issue harming ecosystems and wildlife. Wild Horizons aims to lead by example in sustainable tourism by eliminating single-use plastics. We banned plastic straws in all camps, river cruises, and The Lookout Café, and eliminated plastic water bottles in all lodges. Guests receive reusable water bottles, refillable at our camps' water purification stations, significantly reducing plastic waste. We've also established recycling stations in all offices, promoting a culture of sustainability through reduced, reused, and recycled materials in all aspects of our operations.

Our People

We believe that our employees are our most valuable assets and we strive to ensure that they feel fulfilled, rewarded and valued as ambassadors of Wild Horizons. Our operations have created employment opportunities within the region, and 80.04% of our staff is from the immediate vicinity.

Our Lodges

Our lodges are designed to enhance conservation and minimize environmental impact. The Elephant Camp's recent refurbishment replaced 1600 square meters of decking with eco-friendly material made of 60% bamboo and 40% recycled plastic, recycling 400,000 plastic bottles. Bamboo, the fastest-growing grass, is highly sustainable. Similarly, Old Drift Lodge's construction used 3000 square meters of composite decking, recycling 750,000 plastic bottles. Our commitment ensures our presence in the wilderness supports and enriches the environment.

Bio Plants

The sewage systems in our camps are “Bio Plants”. The “Bio Plant” uses bacteria and ozone gas extracted from the environment to treat the sewage and produce grey water, which is pumped onto natural vegetation for dispersal.

Biological Monitoring And Soil Erosion Control

Our operations unfold in spectacular natural environments, and we believe that we must ensure that our presence enhances the conservation status in these areas. To help us to fulfil this responsibility successfully, Wild Horizons employs the services of a qualified Environmental Officer whose sole purpose is to monitor the biology of the Wild Horizon’s Wildlife Sanctuary. Quarterly biological surveys are conducted to monitor the impact of both the habituated elephant herd and the naturally occurring wildlife on the property. Alien vegetation species are eradicated, and soil erosion is carefully managed, both within the reserve and in neighbouring communal areas.

Worm Farm

Any organic waste from the kitchen is recycled by the worm farm to provide chemical free compost for the vegetable garden and tree nursery.