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Guests visiting our islands automatically contribute to the ongoing community and conservation projects. One of the major contributions made by both Impalila Island Lodge and Susuwe Island Lodge (Islands in Africa) is our commitment to nurturing relationships with the local communities in order to promote and encourage the conservation of resources in these areas. The ideals of game conservation and the practical needs of resident communities have not always been at one.
However, Islands in Africa initiatives to advance tourism, coupled with the commitment of government and organisations such as World Wildlife Fund (WWF), NACOPTA (and Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC) have created a platform for co-operation.
These initiatives include encouraging the establishment of Conservancies amongst communities living on the borders of national parks. Within the Conservancy framework, local residents have received rights with regard to wildlife and tourism. These are in turn managed by an elected Conservancy Committee for the betterment of the community.
The Conservancy model proposes a means by which these communities can be economically uplifted. In the same breath, it encourages greater insight into the importance of tourism for the area and the continued conservation of those assets. By safeguarding the natural resources, the community will benefit from tourists attracted to the region. These benefits vary from the management and marketing skills of the Lodges and direct financial gain of that success to the development of self-help community projects and the provision of diverse skills training.
The Conservancy committee must balance the importance of traditional activities e.g. farming and fishing without detrimentally affecting the natural resources. By utilising the tourism concessions wisely and entering into joint ventures with the private sector, such as Islands in Africa, the communities benefit from their expertise and acumen.
The rewards are intended to filter down to individual members of the community providing an incentive for all to enter into the spirit of conservation and tourism. Through the impact of the Conservancies, the bio-diversity, game populations and general environment attain great practical meaning.
Islands in Africa has wholeheartedly endorsed the concept and has been instrumental in the formation of Conservancies within their region.
The goals have been identified as follows:
- The inter-action of tourists and the rural community in a mutually beneficial way.
- The advancement of social responsibilities and skills training.
- The promotion of sustainable natural resource management.
- Addressing needs such as health care.
- The promotion of sports and cultural development.
- The creation of responsible, consultative community projects.
In addition, the Lodge has:
- Created employment and provided skills training opportunities in both the development and operational stages of the project.
- Funded, developed and constructed the Kubunyana camp site which is fully community owned.
- Assisted with ongoing training, marketing and reservations at Kubunyana.
- Provided basic hands-on specialised training during all phases of the project.
- Sourced local materials for the construction.
- Invested N$250 000 back into the community during development on employment and the procurement of natural resources.
On a practical level, Islands in Africa has been at the forefront of identifying areas of potential and has negotiated with the communities and stakeholders to conceptualise and manage projects.
In line with the goals, great importance has been attached to a "hands-on" approach at grass roots level. Good community relations at the two Lodges have been instrumental in the advancement of successful eco- tourism as a whole. A number of concurrent projects have also been identified.
Both Lodges are located in the Eastern Caprivi region. Susuwe Island Lodge is situated on Birre Island (Kwando river) in the Mayuni Conservancy and Impalila Island in the proposed Impalila Conservancy at the confluence of the Zambezi and Chobe rivers.
At Susuwe (Mayuni Conservancy), the relationship existing between the Islands in Africa and the other parties has fostered a progressive and successful Conservancy role model. The communities, which exist on the eastern bank of the Kwando River, manage concessions within the Bwabwata National Park where the primary natural resource is game. As a result of their commitment and expertise, Islands in Africa was awarded a lease with respect to the development of tourism in return for a percentage of the proceeds generated by the Lodge.
The quid pro quo is that the Conservancy undertakes to safeguard the natural resources by eliminating poaching, eradicating indiscriminate burning and tree cutting, ploughing and netting within the area.
At Impalila, the Lodge similarly assists in many different ways all serving to enhance the quality of life of the community. Not only is employment stimulated wherever possible, but developments such as assistance at schools and self-management schemes.
At both Lodges a bed levy has been introduced which is administered by a committee made up of both community residents and lodge management. The committee identifies projects and allocates the funds appropriately with a view to managing the projects. The involvement of the community also provides activities, which are of interest to guests, such as a visit to a traditional village; afro-botanical walks and visits to the local school.
It has been a long road, but at the end of the day, the co-operation, understanding and commitment existing between all parties has led to a marriage not only of convenience but also of adaptation.
On a macro level, it is intended that awareness of the importance of national tourism should be expanded amongst the local populace, and through this the essential role that a vibrant and unsullied environment incorporating game, fish and bird life play, is underlined. The co-operation of all in protecting and preserving the continent's remaining wilderness and wildlife areas is paramount in ensuring that future generations are able to enjoy the bounty of Africa.
Conservation is the true winner
 Kubunyana Campsite
Camping is available at the Conservancy's campsite. Kubunyana was built by Islands in Africa as part of the joint venture partnership agreement with Chief Mayuni. The campsite is managed by the community and is an important source of revenue for them.
Kubunyana Camp is situated on the eastern bank of the Kwando River alongside Birre Island overlooking a backwater of the Kwando River. The campsite consists of two separate facilities:
- A tented camp - this consists of three large serviced and furnished tents under thatch with its own kitchen and ablution block.
- A campsite consisting of 4 campsites which can take 2 tents each, an ablution block and a communal kitchen
 Harry Schwab (Guest) & Chief Mayuni |
