African Monarch Lodges isn't just another safari destination; we’re an exclusive luxury collection deeply rooted in purpose.
Proudly owner run, our mission goes beyond exceptional wildlife encounters – we’re dedicated to uplifting the communities that have entrusted us with their land, set within KAZA, the world’s largest conservation area for wildlife.
Through our joint venture partnerships with the Mayuni and Mashi Conservancies, we work hand-in-hand with local communities to honour this sacred landscape, blending nature’s raw beauty with meaningful, immersive experiences that leave our guests feeling transformed.
When Chief Mayuni, an avid conservationist, learned of Tinolla and her late husband Dusty’s plans, he released Sijwa (a traditional meeting place within the Mayuni Conservancy) for this joint venture with the community.
He gave his personal blessing at a gathering of dignitaries, international media and conservation role players on 17 November 2018 at Sijwa.
The Sijwa Project opened its doors to guests in January 2020, showcasing the Permaculture Centre and the Cultural Village. When Chief Mayuni visited in February 2021, he was astounded at what had been accomplished, especially during the Covid pandemic.
With the blessing of Chief Mayuni and the trust of the Mayuni and Mashi Conservancies, we have been honoured with a place within this sacred land.
In return, we walk gently, with the purpose of preserving not only the extraordinary wildlife that roams Bwabwata National Park, but also the rich cultural heritage and livelihoods of the communities who call it home.
From designing our lodges to respect elephant migratory routes, to harnessing solar energy and developing transformative initiatives through The Sijwa Project, our efforts are woven into every layer of our operation.
We believe conservation must be reciprocal.
That’s why 12% of all our revenue before costs or statutory deductions is returned directly to the local community.
Total funds in N$ we gave back to the
local community during 2024
Number of bottles (plastic and glass) and tin cans we recycled in 2024
Community members
trained and employed at The Sijwa
Project
Number of cardboard boxes recycled in 2024 for our
Box to Blaze workshop
Every stay at African Monarch Lodges becomes a gesture of giving back from the moment guests arrive.
When we first began our journey within Bwabwata National Park, Kudu would bolt at the sound of a vehicle. Sightings of big cats were rare and fleeting. Slowly, gently, with years of quiet presence and respect, the wilderness began to soften. Today, herds of kudu graze beside our game-drive vehicles. Leopards reclaim their ancestral pathways. Lions return.
In this quiet, unseen transformation, we witness the true impact of responsible tourism.
With our presence, we have become protectors of their safety too. As guardians of this stretch of river, we hold a quiet responsibility. To witness. To step in when needed and to ensure that even the most misunderstood creatures have a place in the circle of protection we’ve been entrusted to uphold.
DREAM. CREATE. INSPIRE.
TINOLLA RODGERS
Born from the heart of African Monarch Lodges, The Sijwa Project is our boldest expression of purpose. Founded in 2018, this regenerative initiative transforms what others discard into beauty, opportunity, and lasting change.
What began as a simple recycling programme has flourished into a vibrant hub of upskilling and empowerment.
Today, Sijwa is home to organic permaculture greenhouses, a thriving sewing centre, carpentry and recycling workshops, an indigenous tree nursery, and a vocational training centre offering hospitality and computer courses. Through our Box to Blaze chilli brick and beehive projects, we find peaceful solutions to reduce human-elephant conflict in neighbouring villages.
When guests visit The Sijwa Project, they don’t just see how waste is repurposed; they feel the energy of something far greater. It is a living example of what can happen when tourism gives back, not just in theory but in practice.
This is not charity.
This is custodianship.
This is community-led, conservation-driven regeneration.
This is purpose in motion.
Guests are warmly invited to visit The Sijwa Project during their stay. Every visit, every purchase, every word of encouragement makes a difference.
We are very proud to have been honoured with the Meaningful Engagement Champion ATTA Award in 2024.
2024 – Sustainability in Numbers:
We would like to be as transparent as possible to showcase our efforts towards protecting our natural resources and its people. Upon booking any of our lodges a sustainability fee is billed that is transferred to The Sijwa Project on a monthly basis. The sustainability fee goes towards:
Providing fresh organic food for the community and our guests, and finding ways to offset carbon emissions.
From glass and aluminium to plastic and paper, we upcycle waste in clever, useful and beautiful ways.
Through collaborations with designers, our team creates an exquisite range of garments and accessories.
What began as a way to launch our Beehive Project has turned into a creative carpentry studio.
How we are helping combat human-elephant conflict in our area with an innovative beehive solution.
In 2025, we proudly welcomed our first three in-service hospitality management trainees: Mpo Silengano, Beaven Kanyambe, and Nelson Tutalife, all from our local community. They have embarked on a two-and-a-half-year journey that will see them fully immersed in every department of lodge life, from front of house to food and beverage, housekeeping to guiding, maintenance to guest relations.
Alongside their practical training, they are enrolled in an internationally recognised online Hospitality Management Diploma. Under the personal mentorship of Managing Director Tinolla Rodgers and with day-to-day guidance from Keenan Collins and the dedicated Nambwa team, they are being shaped not only as professionals but also as ambassadors of mindful, regenerative tourism.
They will rotate through and work in every operational department of the lodge while receiving focused training in guest service, team leadership, and key vocational skills. In addition, they will gain exposure to conservation education, facilitating Lessons in Conservation for local Grade 6 learners.
As part of their development, all three will also take part in the Vocational Residency at The Sijwa Project, leading short community-based courses and sharing their skills in areas such as computer literacy, tourism, hospitality, and environmental stewardship.
If you feel inspired to support their journey , whether by contributing to their international studies or opening doors to new experiences, we welcome collaboration with open hearts. Their journey has begun, and it is already a story worth telling.
– Tinolla Rodgers –
The way we care for our land and community reflects how we care for each other, our team, our guests, and all who cross our path.
Today, 88 members of our local community, many of whom had never worked before, are employed at our lodges. They have grown with us, just as we have grown with them. They are the heart of African Monarch Lodges. Their pride, dedication, and spirit echo through everything we do.
This is a place where people are nurtured. Here, care doesn’t stop when times get tough, and upliftment isn’t a programme; it’s a way of being. From the moment guests arrive, they feel that same warmth, that same spirit.
“We don’t just welcome you. We hold you. We honour your journey, just as we honour the land and the people who make this place home.” – Tinolla Rodgers
The Sijwa Project was born from Tinolla’s heart, a dream she never wanted to begin unless her mother would walk the journey with her and her late husband, Dusty. Today, Olga manages the team and day-to-day operations at Sijwa, while Tinolla continues to shape its vision, feed it with ideas, and hold its purpose. Together, they breathe life into a place where empowerment, regeneration, and belonging flourish.
Three generations. One shared purpose.
Rooted in love. Grown through service. Carried forward, together.
Whether you explore The Sijwa Project, purchase a handcrafted item, or simply listen to a local guide share their story, you’re contributing to something lasting. Something real.
Your journey touches the lives of our team, supports our community, and protects the wild spaces we’re privileged to call home.
“I carry this land in my heart. Its people, its stories, its wild spirit. To share it with others, gently, truthfully and with deep care, is the greatest honour of my life.” – Tinolla Rodgers
If you feel moved to go even further, we invite you to donate. Whether through presence or contribution, your generosity helps us carry this vision forward.
The escarpment of the community land bordering the Bwabwata National Park lays littered with paper, plastic, glass bottles, and tin cans.
This rural area still has no running water, no electricity, no flushing ablutions, and no formal waste management services.
African Monarch Lodges created The Sijwa Project for exactly this reason – to protect our immediate environment by not adding its own generated waste to non-existent landfills.
It is our dream to embark on a bold project which hopes to see the end of waste lying scattered across this precious land. Join our hands as we embark on what could be one of the greatest success stories for this region.
