From Textbooks to Tracking Rhinos: How a Journey to Matobo Ignited a Spark for Conservation
From fish farming to heritage sites, pupils discover nature’s wonders, linking lessons to life during an unforgettable learning journey.
HARARE, ZIMBABWE – For 12-year-old Rufaro Matimbe, the world beyond her small village in Chimanimani existed only in the pages of her schoolbooks. The hills of Zimbabwe’s Matobo National Park, the prehistoric rock art, and the majestic rhinos were just pictures—distant and unreal.
That changed when she won a place on a life-changing excursion, showing her not just a new part of the country but her own potential as a guardian of the environment.
Rufaro was one of 50 pupils in the TUI Junior Academy – Clean Green Zimbabwe Initiative, a pilot project by the TUI Care Foundation, UNICEF, and the Government of Zimbabwe. It aims to empower children from underprivileged communities to become environmental stewards. Winners of a district-wide essay competition earned a trip to Matobo National Park—over 500km from Rufaro’s village.
As the lush green mountains of Manicaland gave way to the granite kopjes and dry bush of Matabeleland South, Rufaro realised her country was far bigger and more diverse than she had imagined.
On the first day, surrounded by rangers from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks), she learned about rhino conservation, human-wildlife conflict, and the role of communities in protecting endangered animals. “Before this,” she said with a smile, “I just thought a park was for animals. Now I know it’s for all of us to protect. I want to be a ranger someday.”
Her peers were equally inspired. Oppah Dzvairo from Mutamba High School stood at Cecil John Rhodes’ grave in awe: “This is history in physical form. From here, I understand why Rhodes wanted to be buried at World’s View. It is breathtaking.” Joyce added, “We must keep this flora and fauna intact for future generations. All of this depends on caring for our environment.”
The pupils also visited the Matopo Aquaculture Centre to learn about sustainable fish farming. Takudzwa, an inquisitive student, asked jokingly if he could try it on his mother’s farm in Chipinge. A ranger replied, “That’s why you’re here—to take fish farming beyond Matopos.”
Perhaps the most thrilling moment was tracking rhinos. While they had seen zebras, giraffes, and impalas, nothing compared to standing metres away from a black and white rhino.
In Bulawayo, the children visited historic sites, linking classroom lessons to real-world experiences. Mercy Mutate from Charleswood Primary School said, “I am thankful to TUI and UNICEF. I saw lions, rhinos, and the graves of iconic historical figures, including Leander Starr Jameson and Allan Wilson’s Shangani Patrol, buried at World’s View.”
Jobe Jaibesi, District Schools Inspector for Chimanimani, reflected on the educational value: “This has been a wonderful experience. Pupils have linked what they learn—like chemical weathering and the exhumation theory—to real examples in the field, strengthening their understanding and preparing them for exams. We hope such opportunities continue for other pupils.”
For those working in the park, the programme’s value was equally clear. Thembelani Mpanga, an ecologist at Matobo, said, “Some have even shown interest in working here. From learning about heritage sites to hands-on fish farming and conservation, the impact has been remarkable. Even children from Rose Grave have linked classroom lessons to field experiences.”
Thanks to the TUI Care Foundation and UNICEF, these children returned home not just with stories but with a renewed sense of purpose. They are now the next generation of environmental stewards, ready to spread the message of a Clean Green Zimbabwe in their homes, schools, and communities. Their essays and artwork will be compiled into a storybook—a lasting testament to how one journey can change a child’s perspective forever.
