RIFA CONSERVATION EDUCATION CAMP
Rifa Conservation Education Camp is a conservation education facility situated on the edge of the Zambezi River 4 kilometers upstream from the Chirundu border post in Zimbabwe. In 1980 members of the Zimbabwe Hunters’ Association decided it was the duty of recreational hunters to put something back into the middle Zambezi Valley to compensate for the pleasures the
y were privileged to enjoy in the wilderness of Rifa. Thus was born the idea of establishing an education centre for Zimbabweans starting with tented camps in one of the hunting areas. The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority later allocated the Association an area of land on the bank of the Zambezi River floodplain. Eventually in 1986 Rifa Conservation Education Camp became operational capable of housing 30 students and 10 adults (teachers, hunters, guides and resource persons). More than 30 000 young people have benefitted from wilderness courses at Rifa. We believe this has had a massive impact in conserving the wildlife & environment of Zimbabwe. The whole programme at Rifa is geared to introduce school children to the wilderness. The programme provides a unique and practical wildlife education experience for school children and interested adult groups. Rationale behind this is to produce citizens who will act responsibly towards the environment. Until about 18 years ago the Zimbabwe Hunters’ Association was a thriving organization with over 1 200 citizen members. Income earned from hunting and subscriptions was largely able to fund the running of the Education Programme. In recent years, citizen hunting opportunities and the membership base have diminished due to circumstances beyond our control, resulting in reduced funding for the Rifa project. In order for the programme to continue operating successfully donors and sponsorship is badly needed. These monies will help with camp maintenance, salaries and support for underprivileged children. The Rifa education operation runs in close partnership with the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.
