Sungani, which has two lodges in South Luangwa National Park, has again hit its fundraising target, gathering USD62 492 in 2024 to benefit Conservation South Luangwa. To date, it has contributed more than USD130 000 to CSL’s important work and has achieved its aim for three consecutive years.

The money is earmarked for as much community conservation work as possible to mitigate human-wildlife conflict across seven chiefdoms that border the park. This includes the Malama chiefdom, Sungani’s closest neighbour in the south-east and the home of more than 80 percent of its staff.

Community engagement and buy-in is crucial to successful conservation work. The Davy family, who own and operate Sungani and sister lodge Kulandila Camp, have noted that wildlife is far more present now than when they acquired the land in 2019, when poaching was far more prevalent. Ongoing projects have resulted in the gratifying return of game especially big cats and other predators.

CSL is undertaking an annual ‘roadshow’ to various chiefdoms that will reach more than 10 000 people through the mediums of dance, speech, drama, song and competition. It will also continue the construction of solar-powered fencing and ‘smelly’ fencing to deter elephants from crop raiding (it turns out elephants avoid pungent smells like chilies). In addition, there will be events such as village meetings, radio broadcasts and game drives so that community members can also experience the excitement of seeing game and appreciate the joy that thriving wildlife brings to so many.