Message from Christopher Chisula – the Kasanka Trust Chairman
Greetings to all our Guests/Clients and Supporters/Partners,
The world is currently facing an unprecedented crisis due to the outbreak of the Novel Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), which is having a massive impact on people’s health and well-being, as well as on the global economy. Indeed, Life and the order thereof as we know it has been changed. One of the hardest hit sectors is the hospitality industry.
Our motto is “Tourism for Conservation”. One third of our operating budget used to manage the Kasanka National Park and support surrounding communities is derived from Tourism. We are growing increasingly concerned about the impact the corona virus will have on our tourism season, and the potentially devastating repercussions for our Conservation work.
We call onto all our future guests and supporters to not give in to panic, to respect all travel and sanitary/Public Health recommendations, but to also keep in mind that the wildlife and communities in and around Kasanka National Park will need you more than ever! With your support, we will endeavour to ensure that all our Conservation programmes continue with a minimum of disruption.
Hopefully, the Disease will have disappeared by October and allow us to welcome in more joyful conditions the arrival of 10 million + straw-coloured fruit bats to Kasanka on their impressive annual migration. The bat migration is one of the greatest spectacles in the natural world, and we encourage everyone to visit Kasanka and witness the spectacle for themselves.
Please do not be put off by the possibility of contracting the corona virus from the bats or other wildlife. We can assure you that the Kasanka Trust would not put its staff and guests at any risk! A communication about the relationship between bats and the corona virus will be released shortly to help you understand and separate the latest scientific knowledge from fictitious news articles.
If you are unable to travel and would like to cancel your booking, Kasanka Trust will give you an 80% refund up to 45 days before your expected arrival date. Alternatively, you can postpone your visit to Kasanka by up to 12 months. The CORONA VIRUS CANCELLATION POLICY only comes into effect should the traveller’s country of origin and or Zambia and or port of transit be placed under quarantine/restricted travel or travel ban from that respective country’s Health Department/Authorities due to the Novel Corona Virus and all other Terms and Conditions relating to cancellations remain as is until such circumstances arise.
We hope that should you decide to cancel your trip, that you will consider a donation in-lieu that will help the Kasanka National Park survive and get through 2020. All donations will be vital to the long-term conservation of wildlife and the support for local communities.
We are closely monitoring the global situation and value the trust and loyalty invested in Kasanka by all Guests. Our team is available to answer any queries regarding upcoming stays and events.
Please remain safe and hoping we may greet you in happier circumstances very soon!
Kindest regards,
Christopher Chisula C.K. KANGWA
CHAIRMAN – Kasanka Trust Ltd.
If you would like to read more about the world’s largest mammal migration and the Kasanka Trust then you can find their latest newsletter at www.kasanka.com