A Home for Our Heroes: Honouring Zambia’s Frontline Rangers

Wilson Chinda

GRI-Media and Communications Officer

As part of our ongoing commitment to improve ranger welfare, we have officially opened a brand-new Ranger Accommodation Unit at Musa Camp, our Field Headquarters, located in the Nkala Game Management Area, Kafue National Park.

The newly commissioned 20-room ranger accommodation facility at GRI's Musa Field Headquarters, located in the Nkala Game Management Area, adjacent to Kafue National Park.

This 20-room accommodation block was made possible through the generous support of our long-term partner, The Beit Trust, providing Rangers with the safe, comfortable, and dignified housing they truly deserve.  

The Ranger Accomodation Unit was generously funded by The Beit Trust. [PC- Thomas Deschamps Photography]

For Rangers, accommodation is more than just shelter from the elements; it represents a quiet, safe space to seek the mental clarity and physical strength needed to carry out the most difficult and dangerous of tasks. Without well-rested and well-supported rangers, the fight against poaching, habitat destruction, and illegal wildlife trade becomes harder, slower, and more perilous. 

The newly built Ranger accommodation unit. Former tented accommodation for Rangers.

Upgrading their living conditions, from basic tented setups to permanent structures, represents a tangible shift in ensuring that our frontline defenders of nature feel valued and equipped, not only in their duties but in their well-being.  

Furthermore, it offers Rangers a much-needed sense of security, allowing them to focus fully on protecting wildlife and wild spaces without the concern of leaking roofs, soaked belongings, or exposure to the elements during the rainy season - a common ordeal when living in tents.

What makes this achievement even more meaningful is that the accommodation block was constructed by our very own Support Rangers from GRI’s Workshops and Developments Department. With skill, care, and unwavering dedication, the team brought the project to life, not just as builders, but as fellow protectors of Zambia’s wildlife. Their work reflects a deep understanding of what rangers truly need in the field, because they, too, have walked in those boots. From the initial groundwork to the final fittings, every detail was crafted with the well-being and dignity of their peers in mind. 

GRI’s Workshops and Developments Department works on the foundation for the new Ranger accommodations at Musa Camp.

This Ranger-led approach is a powerful demonstration of what internal capacity and local ownership can achieve when equipped with the right support. It also ensures that the structures are built to suit real conditions on the ground - practical, durable, and purpose-driven. Their contribution stands as a testament to the strength, talent, and unity within the conservation community. These are more than buildings; they are symbols of pride, progress, and the shared commitment to uplifting one another on the frontline. 

During the official handover ceremony, we were honoured by the presence of our esteemed Board of Trustees, who formally opened and handed over the new accommodation block. Their Royal Highnesses Chief Musungwa and Chief Shezongo, and Senior representatives from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) were also in attendance, serving as a powerful reminder that lasting conservation success is built on strong, collaborative partnerships rooted in the community. Their presence reinforced the importance of recognising the human side of conservation, the lives and sacrifices of the individuals who put everything on the line to protect Zambia’s natural heritage. 

GRI Board Chairman Gary Simpson-Yeoman officially commissions the Ranger Accommodation. [PC- Thomas Deschamps Photography]

This milestone at Musa Camp is a proud moment, reminding us of the critical importance of empowering all Rangers across Zambia with adequate welfare, training and operational support. Prioritising Ranger safety, wellbeing, and morale underpins sustained operational effectiveness and contributes directly to healthy, thriving ecosystems.

GRI's Rangers and Board of Trustees pose with His Royal Highness Chief Musungwa, His Royal Highness Chief Shezongo and senior representatives from DNPW to celebrate the new Ranger accommodation facilities. [PC- Thomas Deschamps Photography]

Please, support ranger welfare and help us continue building a stronger foundation for Zambia’s wildlife defenders. Give today, and your donation will be generously matched by the Scheinberg Relief Fund, DOUBLING its impact.

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