When Women Lead, Communities Thrive

In communities surrounding Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park, young women remain largely shut out of tourism opportunities due to limited access to further education, financial barriers, geographic isolation, and social norms. Many lack the training, networks, and pathways needed to pursue careers in the tourism industry. 
 
Our Women in Tourism Program is equipping women with skills, experience, and confidence to enter the tourism workforce. Over nine months, participants complete classroom-based training at a certified hospitality school followed by hands-on experience across our safari camps. Rotating through different departments gives each woman a full view of safari operations while building confidence, practical skills, and a strong foundation for a long-term career in tourism. 

When women gain access to education, employment, and financial independence, the impact is profound: children stay in school, households grow stronger, and communities thrive. In tourism, supporting women doesn’t just change individual lives, it enriches the places and people who rely on their leadership. 

The program costs $1,000 per participant, covering accredited tuition, examinations and certification, on-the-job training, uniforms, and essential program costs. 

Beneficiaries and Impact

The program supports young women from underserved communities who have completed Grade 12 but face financial challenges, limited opportunities, or social barriers that make continuing their education or finding work difficult. We focus on high-achieving students who show promise but need support to reach their potential. 

For many participants, this is their first real entry into the tourism and hospitality industry. Through a combination of certified classroom training and practical experience, they gain confidence, hands-on skills, and qualifications to pursue meaningful work. This is vocational training at its best: practical, empowering, and truly life-changing. 

By the end of the program, each woman leaves with strong technical abilities, real-world experience, and the foundation to build a sustainable career in tourism and hospitality ready to make a difference for herself, her family, and her community. 

The Women in Tourism Program has been implemented annually in Zimbabwe since 2023 as a structured internship and employability initiative for young women from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

To date, 45 women have been trained and 25 women are currently enrolled and ready to begin their journey. 

“After the Program, when I got this job as a chef at Somalisa Camp, I could support my mother and three brothers. Now, as a mother myself, I’m able to care for my daughter, pay her school fees, and look after myself too.” – Chef Sheron