Community, Conservation and Sustainability
At Fothergill, our strong environmental and philanthropic credentials, as well as our custodial stance in protecting Zimbabwe’s precious eco-systems complement the urgent, worldwide need for responsible action regarding our planet and the quality of life for future generations of people and wildlife.
MATUSADONA CONSERVATION TRUST
African Parks, in partnership with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks), signed a 20-year agreement to manage Matusadona National Park on November 1st, 2019. Together, they form the Matusadona Conservation Trust.
African Parks aims to revive Matusadona National Park through a foundation of good governance, an effective law enforcement strategy, community engagement initiatives, tourism promotion, and the restoration of wildlife populations through reintroductions of indigenous animals. The Trust’s shared vision, alongside the government’s ideals, is to reposition Matusadona National Park as a leading safari tourism destination that offers exceptional game viewing from both the land and water, benefiting people and wildlife for generations to come.
At Fothergill, we completely support the trust’s objectives and contribute to conservation through funding and responsible practices, such as sustainable sport fishing and the complete implementation of a solar-energy-driven infrastructure. We have stringent fishery and water-based activity controls in place and assist with anti-poaching efforts, in cooperation with, and under the direction of, African Parks and law enforcement.
Community development
All our team members are hand-selected, and several of them are placed within apprenticeships on the island. Everyone, including the fully-fledged professionals, begin with the task of making beds. From this seemingly-humble beginning, we instil the values of conscientiousness and attention to detail that shapes our culture. Once the basics have been mastered, training begins for the next step and we provide opportunities from wine and cookery courses to boating licenses. From our gardeners and cooks to the workshop mechanics, everyone arrives straight from school and gains the skills to develop a successful career at Fothergill.
Solar energy
In alignment with our desire of an integrated wilderness, 95% of the Fothergill’s energy requirements are fuelled by solar power. A true celebration of sustainability, our prominent solar plant is an engineer’s delight to behold! Please request a tour of our plant and discover more about the island’s infrastructure.
