In the world of travel, sustainability has become a buzzword, often tossed around in glossy brochures and Instagram posts. But how deep does the intention run? How visible are the real impacts? At Tongabezi Lodge in Zambia, part of the Green Safaris family, sustainability is not just a tagline. It’s a core value, woven into the very fabric of their operations. From Mukuni Farm’s regenerative agriculture to the first electric dhow on the Zambezi, the commitment to sustainability is both visible and profound. And, it all began with two visionaries: Ben and Vanessa Parker.
More Than a Buzzword: The Real Impact of Sustainability
Sustainability is not easy to write about. It can feel intangible, reduced to vague promises of “going green” or “leaving a positive footprint.” However, at Tongabezi, sustainability is evident in the practices, the community feedback, and the innovations you encounter as a guest.
As their Head Guide, Lawrence, noted, “Green Safaris felt like a natural transition for us. Their values, beliefs, and company culture were aligned with what we already had here. They didn’t just take over Tongabezi; they helped take it to the next level.” Under Green Safaris, sustainability has flourished, not only preserving the vision of the Parkers but expanding it with groundbreaking innovations.
A Visionary Beginning: Ben and Vanessa Parker’s Legacy
Founded in 1990 by Ben and Vanessa Parker, Tongabezi Lodge was one of the first luxury lodges on the Zambezi River, built on a foundation of community engagement and environmental conservation. They recognised that preserving the wilderness wasn’t enough—sustainability had to include the people who lived in and around these wild spaces. This belief led to the establishment of the Tujatane School, a primary school that has grown from a class of 15 children to almost 300 students. The school not only provides education but also uplifts families in nearby villages, particularly Simonga, and is supported through guest donations and community engagement.
When Green Safaris acquired Tongabezi, they brought their innovative sustainability practices while respecting and preserving the Parkers’ community-driven ethos. This partnership has allowed Tongabezi to become even more aligned with modern sustainability goals, without losing its heart and connection to the local Zambian community.
Beyond Conservation: Community-Centric Sustainability
Green Safaris’ approach to sustainability goes beyond conservation. It’s about empowering the communities surrounding their properties. Take the Mukuni Organic Farm, which employs 19 locals. More than just a source of fresh produce for Tongabezi Lodge, the farm also provides food for the community and offers skills development and purpose to its employees. This is sustainability in action—creating livelihoods, fostering food security, and reducing the community’s reliance on less sustainable practices like imported food.
The farm also serves as a model for regenerative agriculture, transforming 12.6 hectares of degraded land into a thriving, productive farm. With Chief Mukuni’s blessing, the next step is to turn this into a learning centre for the people of Mukuni Chiefdom, promoting self-sufficiency through sustainable farming practices.
But the commitment to the local community doesn’t stop at the farm. The Tujatane School continues to be one of the most respected schools in Southern Zambia, largely supporting the families of Green Safaris’ staff and setting a high standard for education in the region. Guests can sponsor a child’s education for a year for $1200, an accessible investment for global travellers who are moved by the school tour. My children delivered all their musical instruments to the school, seeing what it could do for them – keyboard, drums, electric guitar. Heartstrings can make beautiful music.
Innovating for the Future: First-of-their-Kind Technologies
What sets Green Safaris apart from other luxury travel brands is their pioneering spirit. They don’t just talk about sustainability—they innovate it. The E-Dhow, the first electric dhow of its kind across Africa, offers silent safaris on the Zambezi, allowing guests to experience the river without the noise and emissions of traditional motorboats. It’s a serene, environmentally friendly way to explore the river, surrounded by hippos, elephants, and vibrant birdlife.
Green Safaris were the first to ever introduce the eLandy, an electric-powered safari vehicle that will allow guests to explore the surrounding wilderness with minimal environmental impact, used at many of their properties. These innovations are not just technological marvels—they reflect a deep respect for Zambia’s natural beauty and a commitment to preserving it for future generations.
A Reminder to Keep It Sustainable
Even the small touches at Tongabezi reflect the lodge’s commitment to sustainability. Every guest is provided with a reusable water bottle, which they can purchase at the end of their stay for $10, and these proceeds go to the Green Safaris Conservation Foundation. It’s more than just a souvenir—it’s a tangible reminder to stop using plastic. Proceeds from these bottles go to support the Tujatane School, ensuring that every guest’s contribution has a lasting impact. Every bottle counts, financially and environmentally.
The lodge shop also goes beyond typical tourist trinkets. It’s stocked with handcrafted goods made by local artisans and school children, each item containing a personal note from the maker. This not only supports local businesses but also offers guests a meaningful connection to the people whose lives are touched by the lodge’s community programs.
Leading the Charge Across Africa
What makes Tongabezi’s story even more inspiring is that it’s not an isolated success. Green Safaris operates seven other camps and lodges across Zambia and Malawi, all of which are built on the same principles of sustainability, community development, and innovation. From electric game vehicles at Shawa Luangwa Camp to solar-powered eBikes on Likoma Island, Green Safaris is leading the charge for sustainable tourism in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Their properties support various conservation and community initiatives, making sure that the natural beauty and cultural heritage of these regions are preserved and celebrated. Green Safaris isn’t just a luxury travel brand—it’s a movement, pushing the boundaries of what sustainable travel can achieve.
The Future of Sustainable Travel in Zambia
The collaboration between Tongabezi Lodge and Green Safaris represents the future of sustainable tourism in Africa. It’s a model that combines luxury with responsibility, offering guests an unforgettable experience while making a positive impact on local communities and the environment. The Parkers’ vision, now amplified by Green Safaris, shows that sustainability doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort—it means embracing innovation, fostering community, and preserving what makes Africa so special. For a while, the term luxury has felt a little indulgent and garish, but, increasingly, consciousness is softening that judgment as brands help tourists to do more and get involved in community initiatives.
As more travellers seek meaningful experiences, Tongabezi Lodge and Green Safaris are ready to meet that demand. Theirs is a vision that doesn’t just protect the land—it uplifts the people who live on it. And that’s what real sustainability looks like; it survives, thrives and endures on the intentionality and good will of a small collective to benefit a much larger group long-term.
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