Sustainability is very near and dear to our hearts.
At the Zambezi Queen Collection, we continue to be guided by the three “Cs” to ensure that we are making a positive impact on those around us, the environment and communities at large.
As a proud member of Mantis, we have also adopted its community-based conservation model and our projects are guided by:
- Conservation
- Sustainability
- Community Development
The Group will switch to smarter, more environmentally conscious alternatives. We’re also fully on board and will keep you informed of our progress at the Zambezi Queen Collection!
For now, here are just a few of the projects and initiatives we are busy with so you can rest assured that when you choose to travel with us, you are also choosing sustainable.
The Zambezi Queen
The Zambezi Queen Collection is currently the largest tourism and hospitality employer in the region so we don’t take our duty lightly. We directly support 130 households and more by employing 130 staff members, as well as providing ongoing training and mentorship.
Indirectly we have various initiatives to support our neighbours and the communities in which we operate.
Clean drinking water: We sank an eco-friendly borehole, powered by a solar panel, at Someli Village to provide clean drinking water. We are planning on sinking 3 similar boreholes in the Kasika area as well. We provided Ijambwe Village with a water pump and building materials so that they could construct an ablution facility.
Buying local. Guests donated seeds during a recent cultural tour so that a vegetable garden could be planted. We support the village financially by paying a monthly rental fee, which also gives our guests the opportunity to visit the village and learn more about local life. Villagers can also use this opportunity to sell their wares, such as beautifully carved wooden bowls and beaded jewellery, to guests. We also buy local vegetables from these communities. Our gift shop on the Zambezi Queen offers many crafts for sale from these small businesses.
Financial agreements with landowners. All our mooring locations on the Chobe River form part of our agreements with conservancies and landowners. We have monthly financial agreements that are distributed to the different communities that own the land.
Our Forever Wild Project uses funds raised from the sale of plush toy wild rhinos to provide the learners of Kasika Primary School with much-needed uniforms and stationery.
Conservancy is one of our three key pillars focusing on improving education in wildlife, sustainability and environmental benefits. We have 3 conservancies in our area which are funded on a monthly basis. We are also proud to provide food, transport and safety equipment for the anti-poaching unit in the area.
We support the Kasika Conservancy on a monthly basis, and these payments also partly fund the salary of a cleaner who collects litter at the Kasika Immigration office. We also help this conservancy with the daily enforcing of conservation laws. In the same way we also support the Kabulabula Conservancy with monthly payments.
Respect of local customs. We provide food, transport and financial assistance to many Ndunas, the leaders of local communities, as well as members of the local Kuta, their court, especially for celebrations, public holidays and social gatherings. The area is controlled and administered by tribal law, so it is paramount to do things properly and respect local law.
We have a sophisticated and ‘clean’ sewage treatment system at Nchenku, which processes waste from all of the Zambezi Queen Collection houseboats and promotes a cleaner environment for all.
Assisting locals with transport. We provide weekly transport for locals who need medical care or who are attending funerals as well as transporting pensioners who need to travel from Leguva to Kasika to collect their monthly government grants. We also offer financial assistance to those requiring emergency medical assistance, as well as transport building materials when needed. Transport is also not limited to people! We assist villagers who need to drive cattle across rivers during the flood periods in order to minimise the loss of valuable stock.
We donated a new boat to the landowner at Nchenku and this provides vital transport for the villagers in our area to reach the nearest towns, markets and schools. Donation of solar panels and batteries are given to villages on request.
Our staff members regularly maintain immigration pathways by cleaning, removing rubble and rebuilding roads after rains and floods, both on Impalila and Kasika islands.
Education is gold. Because we believe education is so important, we’re currently financially assisting three scholars with their university and tertiary education fees. Currently a total of six full-time students are sponsored by The Collection.
We employ local. When employing new members of staff, we always draw from local inhabitants on Nchenku Island, whether this is for permanent or temporary roles.
We assist the Namibian Police Force and the Namibian Navy based on Impalila Island when they require repairs and maintenance to their patrol boats.
Chobe Princess houseboats and Ichingo Chobe River Lodge
The lodge and Chobe Princesses also have their special projects on the go, here are some of our current sustainable initiatives:
We’ve set up a Community Development Fund that is used to administer and grow Impalila Island infrastructure, including providing salaries for schoolteachers and clinic nurses. An incredible project!
We arrange village walks and cultural village tours at different communities, including the schools and clinic, and take guests to a market where you can shop for locally crafted souvenirs.
When you travel as a guest of the Zambezi Queen Collection, you can enjoy travelling in style and comfort knowing that your journey makes as much of a meaningful impact on the community as it does on you.