ZAMSOC

ZIM4X4 has strong links with The Zambezi Society (www.zamsoc.org, and on Facebook), which was established in 1982 to help conserve wilderness and wildlife in the Zambezi region.

Over the years the Society has campaigned vigorously - and sucessfully - to avert such threats as the destruction of Mana Pools by a hydroelectric dam; to halt the use of damaging pesticides such as DDT in tsetse fly control; to minimise the potential destruction caused by oil and minerals exploration; and - most recently - to halt the construction of inappropriate tourism developments such as major hotels along the Zambezi frontage at Mana Pools.

Henri Stofberg and Dick Pitman hand over essential vehicle maintenance items donated by members of the Land Cruiser Club of Southern Africa to the Matusadona National Park.

The Society has funded and managed projects as diverse as elephant monitoring in the Eastern Zambezi Valley area; the reintroduction of cheetah into the Matusadona National Park; and the conservation of the Zambezi Valley's biologically valuable 'dry forests', or 'jesse bush' as it is more popularly known. It also runs a black rhino conservation project in the Matusadona National Park; a leopard conservation research project; and a wilderness conservation programe.

But it is also deeply involved in helping Zimbabwe's cash-strapped Parks Authority to carry out its anti-poaching patrols and other essential duties throughout the Zambezi Valley and Lake Kariba areas. It provides items ranging from mosquito nets and backpacks to vehicles, fuel, spare parts, radios and workshop tools.

The Society has long 'wish lists' for these essential items from Parks stations in its operating area.

ZIM4x4 acts as the 'contact point' for Project Mana Pools, which was organised in collaboration with the Land Cruiser Club of Southern Africa and raises funds for the purchase of vehicle spares and other equipment for the Mana Pools National Park. An LCCSA delegation recently brought in a large quantity of wheels, tyres and suspension spares for the Mana Pools National Park; and other LCCSA members are currently organising the donation of a Land Cruiser to the Matusadona National Park.

Zambezi wildernesses - whatever you feel you'd like to do. And you'll also be able to 'get under the skin' of these places, both by chatting with us round the braai and from the detailed electronic and hard-copy information briefings we provide as part of our service.