Sustainable Tourism Zambia

Sexual Exploitation Children

It is important to understand that sexual exploitation of children happens in some form in every country. Even though you do not witness it, it does not mean it does not exist; no country or business is immune from risk. We all have a role to play in eradicating this crime.

We recognize that the sexual exploitation of children is a world-wide problem. In all our activities and operations we actively disagree with all kinds of sexual exploitation of children all over the world. We donate to ecpat.

Carbon Offset

We buy carbon offsets from BCP. BCP works across over 1000000 hectares of threatened forest in 13 chiefdoms throughout Zambia, making the conservation of wildlife habitat valuable to people. Do learn about the life changing impact they are making and do feel free to help us save these forests and our people.

Ntanda Ventures a Travelife partner is constantly learning and improving their capacity and knowledge about sustainability in tourism, for example through the courses of Travelife, our team has now 3 Travelife Sustainability Managers.

Sustainable Tourism Practices & Tips

Join us and be part of the solution. As we recover from the pandemic, now is best time to start afresh - rethink, reshape and choose a more sustainable road forward.

‍What can we do to support sustainable tourism?
‍Focus on reducing the negative impact of Covid and maximize the positive benefits for communities, cultures and ecosystems of Zambia. Preserve our beautiful country for future generations. Make it your responsibility to explore places responsibly and leave them better than you found them.

‍1. Enjoy Ecotourism - Get off the beaten track
‍Ditch the queues and get off the beaten track. Do have your bucket list but explore and create your own. This allows you to have a unique and authentic experience while avoiding the crowds. Consider taking your trip during the off-peak season. We highly recommend November to mid of December for a safari or April - June to see the Victoria Falls in the national park at their best.

‍2. Slow down and stay awhile – add an extra day
‍Don’t miss out on the little hidden gems by trying to do too much. Take a piece of Africa home in your heart - Spend more time exploring and have a more authentic, memorable, and meaningful travel experience by getting get to know Zambia’s unique charms.

‍3. Conserve water and energy whenever you can
‍Turn off the lights and take in the starry night sky. Take a short shower instead of a bath we do have some creative showers in the lodges and camps. Zambia offers a range of low effect accommodation from more basic accommodation to small high-end properties that utilize renewable energy and water efficient technologies.

‍4. Keep your dollars local
‍You can help communities bounce back from the Covid effect by making sure your dollars stay in the local economy. Supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs. Consider staying in Proudly Zambian run Lodges and Camps rather than international chains. Dine at local restaurants and savor traditional dishes and food made with our fresh locally-sourced ingredients. DO have some fun navigating the local market – try one of our local shopping experiences and buy crafts made by local artisans. (do haggle but pay a fair price). Our highly qualified and well respected local guides will blow your mind with the best spots and lots of interesting facts about the fauna and flora. Please avoid giving money to beggars as dependence on tourist handouts is not sustainable, rather contribute to a local initiative that empowers people through skills and education.

5. Respect local communities
‍Soak up the cultures of local with a glimpse into the traditions, beliefs and ways of life. Zambians are very friendly and have a great sense of humor. Learn a few phrases of the local language in the environment. Please be considerate and mindful of their privacy (ask permission before you take their photo) and protocols(avoid very short skirts/shorts, rather cover up with a Zambian “chitenge”).

‍6. Avoid single-use plasticsWith the increased reliance on plastics due to COVID, it’s even more important to cut down your own consumption when you can. Most high end lodges supply a re-useable water bottle or bring your own! Where possible lodges use locally produced drinks, fresh meat, and vegetables. (Imported ones tend to use more packaging). Don’t miss out on a local Mosi beer.

7. Visit national parks and protected areasAfrica’s National parks play an important role in protecting our natural resources and biodiversity. The Parks rely on park fees, permits and bed levies to preserve these special places and wildlife, help fund the conservation activities and provide employment to local communities.

‍8. Choose a sustainable tour operator – The Ntanda Commitment

We use solar power where possible (geysers, borehole pump and gate motors)
We only employ residents staff from our local society
We prioritize local providers and producers in our tour packages
All wastes on our property are recycled where possible
We plant paw and avocado trees (from the seeds of our fruit) and give excess plants back to the society.
We support Conservation South Luangwa by buying their Cook & Conserve recipe books for our promotions and Thank you gifts.
We only promote Lodges with bank accounts in Zambia, we don’t externalize the tourist Dollar.
We do not promote any walking or riding with a wild animal.
Our tour packages include the extras to add unexpected care to your safari. We are very proud of the “Ntanda Safari Pack”. A chitenge (the famous colorful African fabrics, women wear as wraps or dresses) bags made from a local material which includes your toiletries made in Zambia. Each bag includes a locally crafted gift just for you.

Safari gift pack contents may vary per tour.

Zambia's Child

We also partner with Zambia’s Child, which helps provide quality education for Zambian school children, especially underprivileged and orphaned children or those who have dropped out of school.

Tragically, healthcare and education are very basic. The future of Zambia, this country that we have a deep love for, is in the hands of children like these, and we hope that by playing a small part and selling Zambia safari packages that support this organisation and the schools it runs, we can help ensure that Zambia can continue giving others the same extraordinary experiences we’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy.

Ntanda Ventures also encourages the “lodge and school projects” in Zambia. These are the perfect add-on for a family holiday, with activities including school visits and interaction with the children, art safaris, photography and visits to the Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust and CSL anti-poaching unit.

Pack for a Purpose

Travellers like 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 take supplies, you’ll make a priceless impact in the lives of local children and families. They are always looking for new books and love to receive good used children’s books. Basic supplies such as crayons, paints, paper, glue etc are always welcome. Uyoba school in Mfuwe is always grateful and well worth a visit.

Local Natural Sustainable in Luangwa

Luangwa has some incredible sustainable projects and initiatives that are well worth a visit.

‍Project Luangwa is a registered charity run by a group of lodges. The aim is to help local communities improve their long-term economic prospects, whilst avoiding a negative impact on the environment and wildlife. Project Luangwa sponsors pupils and teacher training, Building and renovating classrooms, providing exercise books, furniture, teaching aids and text books, Building and populating school libraries.

Conservation South Luangwa protects the future by employing over 80 full time staff, CSL’s success is Zambia-led conservation through employment, training and empowerment of communities. CSL focus is on anti-poaching patrols, aerial surveillance, human wildlife conflict mitigation and the K9 (CANINE) UNIT.

‍ZAMBIAN CARNIVORE PROGRAM – Conserving large carnivores and the ecosystems they reside in through science, action and local leadership.

‍CHIPEMBELE WILDLIFE EDUCATION TRUST – Teaching Zambian children and communities the value of wildlife and their environment so they may be conserved for future generations.

MAKOLEKOLE – Bringing clean, safe water to the remote communities of the Luangwa Valley.

‍EDUCATION – Numerous school projects are supported by various lodges in Luangwa Valley.

MFUWE FOOTBALL LEAGUE – There are now 20 teams comprising about 400 boys (divided into under 12s and under 15s) that compete at weekends and a netball league for the girls, now reaching 16 teams. All grouped under the Mfuwe Sports Association. Malambo United now plays at provincial level and is member of the Football Association of Zambia. Emmanuel Mphasi, a goalkeeper was recruited to be part of Zambia’s U17 team which won the COSAFA Cup in 2016. Through Project Luangwa they are always on the lookout for sport supplies, jerseys, boots and balls.

‍RECYCLING & WASTE MANAGEMENT – initiatives to develop local alternatives.

‍MFUWE ECOBRICKS – Making bricks out of plastic bottles and general plastic waste. All the safari operators and other businesses are invited to bring their waste to George’s workshop and he processes it into bricks which are then used for decorative walls and sign posts. The Local ladies are involved in helping receive a benefit from the sales..

info@ntandaventures.com

THE GLASS PROJECT – In 2018, Tribal Textiles invested in tools to transform excess glass bottles into beautiful products. The Lodges take all their glass waste to the Workshop where a range of products are now available at Tribal Textiles, and part of the profits are redistributed to Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust to support their recycling teaching activities in the Valley. JUNK ART – Project Luangwa has found an amazing artist in Frederick Phiri who can magically turn any piece of scrap metal into some creative piece of art. Frederick takes his inspiration in the wildlife and transforms any old metal into an elegant bird or animal and much more. His art is available at Project Luangwa’s craft shop.
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‍TRIBAL TEXTILES – Well known for creating hand-painted quality textiles in a sustainable manner empowering the local community.
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‍THE ARTISANS MARKET – Training of local artists to create beautiful products and provide sustainable income

AZIMAI – Handmade luxury soaps and scented candles using natural, indigenous and ethically-sourced ingredients.

‍MULBERRY MONGOOSE – Handmade jewellery inspired by life in the Zambian bush, with every piece of jewellery sold they make a donation to anti-poaching patrols.

‍IT’S WILD – Conservation farming. Farmers are trained for climate-smart sustainable agriculture. Organic locally produce produce.

‍SEKA – Sensitisation and Education through Kunda Arts. Theatre dance.

RAISE A SMILE – Raise a Smile is a small NGO in Mfuwe. run by Jenny Waterhouse, a retired teacher, who lives in the area. The main focus is to offer children reading skills. Reading is the cornerstone of all learning. To that end Raise a Smile runs reading programmes in 5 local schools. Children from Grade 2 are taught to read, Alongside the reading program 5 libraries filled with great children’s books and plenty of toys and activities that the children do not have access to have grown. In order to make the learning effective each library has at least 3 reading specialists who take children in small groups, and provide out of the ordinary fun ways to learn to read.

Of course being close to the community, means that we do become involved in solving other problems! We have a food fund, helping families who are hungry at this crazy time, and we have facilitated a craft shop, where local ladies have learnt to sew and sell their wares to tourists, to name but a few.