Wild Horizons and UNICEF Forge New Path for Community-Focused Tourism in Victoria Falls

VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe – In a powerful demonstration of corporate citizenship, leading tour operator Wild Horizons has launched a new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative in partnership with UNICEF, reaffirming its commitment to weaving community well-being and environmental stewardship into the fabric of its business.

The announcement was made during a project launch event by Barbra Murasiranwa-Hughes, who outlined Wild Horizons’ extensive and long-standing dedication to sustainable development in the Victoria Falls region.

“While we take pride in showcasing the natural wonders of our beautiful country to visitors from around the world, our greatest pride comes from the work we do in our communities, where true impact begins,” Murasiranwa-Hughes stated in her address. “At Wild Horizons, we believe that sustainable tourism must uplift communities, empower individuals, and protect the environment that sustains us all.”

The new partnership with UNICEF builds upon a proven track record of impactful programs. Murasiranwa-Hughes highlighted several key achievements of the company’s CSR portfolio:

• Education: The company’s Education Support Programme currently sponsors 200 children, with many graduates now contributing to the local hospitality industry.

• Conservation: Hundreds of children annually participate in environmental education at the Wild Horizons Elephant Interaction Centre and Wildlife Trust. The company also supports 44 school-based Environmental Clubs in partnership with Pristine.

• Essential Services: To date, Wild Horizons has drilled 11 boreholes, providing clean water to schools and communities, and installed 62 biogas digesters to promote clean energy and reduce deforestation.

• Local Economies: Initiatives like “Shopping with a Purpose” and village tours support over 60 local vendors, ensuring tourism revenue benefits the community directly.

A key success story cited was the FairChance-UNICEF Project, where five women were trained in Food and Beverage service and are now all gainfully employed. Murasiranwa-Hughes pointed to this as a “testament to how partnerships like this one can transform lives through opportunity, mentorship, and empowerment.”

She emphasized that the company’s philosophy views each project not as a standalone effort, but as a critical component of a larger ecosystem of progress.

“Each borehole drilled, each biogas digester installed, each scholarship granted, and each livelihood supported — these are not just projects,” she said. “They are stories of hope, dignity, and shared progress.”

The new Wild Horizons-UNICEF project aims to scale this impact, creating a replicable model for how the tourism industry can be a direct driver of community development and environmental conservation.

“We are deeply grateful to UNICEF and our partners for believing in the power of collaboration,” Murasiranwa-Hughes concluded. “Together, we are building a model of sustainable impact that other destinations can look to — where tourism becomes a vehicle for community development and environmental stewardship.”