Wina Wildlife Conservancy

These policies apply to all guests and members of their party without exception. They exist to protect your safety, the wellbeing of wildlife, and the integrity of the ecosystem. Please read them carefully and direct any questions to WWC staff on arrival.
 

C1. Vehicle Speed & Road Use

• Maximum speed on all property roads and tracks: 40 km/h. Slow driving protects wildlife, prevents accidents on uneven terrain, and reduces dust impact on the environment. Guests driving rental or personal vehicles on the property must observe this limit at all times.

• Headlights must be used at dawn, dusk, and night, and during rain or poor visibility.

• No off-road driving is permitted outside of designated tracks. Driving off established paths causes damage to fragile wetland and forest ground cover.

• Yield to wildlife. If an animal is on or near the road, stop and wait. Do not hoot, rev, or attempt to drive around wildlife in a way that may disturb it.

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C2.  Conservation of Flora & Fauna

WWC's wetland, woodland, and riverine forest support a remarkable range of species — many of them rare, endemic, or poorly studied. The guidelines below exist to keep that ecosystem intact, for wildlife and for future guests.

• Do not touch, handle, feed, or interfere with any wild animal, including insects, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Even well-intentioned contact can cause stress, alter natural behaviour, or introduce harmful pathogens — and some animals that appear small or docile can bite or sting.

• Do not pick, cut, remove, or damage any plant, flower, grass, fungi, or other vegetation. What looks like a single flower is part of a larger system — of pollination, food, and shelter. The collection of any natural material, including seeds, feathers, bones, and stones, is not permitted without explicit prior consent from WWC.

• Maintain a respectful distance from all wildlife. Follow guide distances where applicable. Never approach a nest, den, or young animal — even if the parent appears absent.

• Photography is welcome but flash photography near wildlife is prohibited, particularly near nocturnal species and nesting birds, where sudden light causes genuine distress.

• Do not disturb vegetation at the water's edge or enter wetland areas without a guide. These habitats are among the most sensitive on the property and may also harbour hidden hazards.

 

C3.  Noise & Light Pollution

• Quiet hours are observed from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM. The bush comes alive after dark and guests are often up at dawn — these hours reflect the natural rhythm of the place. During quiet hours, please keep voices low, avoid playing audio from devices, and close accommodation doors gently.

• During all hours, guests are asked to keep noise to a level that does not disturb wildlife or other guests. WWC is a place of stillness — birdsong, wind, and water are its soundtrack.

• Artificial lighting after dark should be minimised. Bright artificial light disrupts the behaviour of nocturnal wildlife — disorientating insects, disturbing nesting birds, and affecting the movement of mammals along the river corridor.

 

C4.  No Littering & Waste Management

• Zero littering on the property. All waste — including food scraps, packaging, cigarette butts, bottle tops, and tissue — must be disposed of in designated bins or returned to the lodge or carried away. Note waste is separated into organic (can decompose) and inorganic. There is no easy solution for inorganic waste (glass, metal, plastic etc) so try minimise this.

• Minimise single-use plastic. Guests are encouraged to carry a reusable water bottle; filtered water is available at the lodge.

• Food and drinks are not to be carried into, consumed in, or stored in open areas unless on an authorised guided activity. Food waste attracts wildlife and disrupts natural behaviour.

• Human waste outside of designated facilities is not permitted. All ablution facilities must be used appropriately.

 

C5.  No Pets

Pets of any kind are not permitted on the property. This policy exists to protect native wildlife, prevent the introduction of disease, and ensure the safety of guests and their pets alike. No exceptions will be made.

 

C6.  Fire Safety

• No open fires are permitted outside of designated fire areas and only when conditions are safe and a WWC staff member has approved. This is especially critical during dry season.

• No smoking inside any accommodation or within 5 metres of any structure. Cigarette butts must be fully extinguished and disposed of in designated receptacles — never discarded on the ground.

• In the event of a fire – in a property only is safe and comfortable, use a fire extinguisher to control it. Alert WWC staff immediately. and move to a safe location.

• In the event of a fire – outside: move away from danger and alert WWC staff immediately. Do not attempt to fight a wildfire. Follow staff instructions for evacuation.

 

C7.  Water Safety

• The West Lunga River and associated waterways are home to hippos, crocodiles, and strong currents. Do not swim in, wade into, or enter any natural waterway without the explicit permission and supervision of a WWC guide, and always at your own risk.

• Children must be supervised by an adult at all times near any water body, including the river, wetland margins, and any on-property water feature.

• Kayaking, boating, or any watercraft activity is only permitted as part of an organised WWC-guided excursion, and always at your own risk.

 

C8.  Guided Activities & Independent Exploration

• Walking, running, cycling, and boating are all part of life at WWC, and guests are warmly encouraged to explore the trails and river at their own pace. Some areas of the property are accessible only with a guide — please inquire from WWC staff before heading out.

• If you're heading out independently beyond the lodge area, please let a staff member know your intended route and approximate return time. This isn't a formal procedure — it's simply that mobile network coverage beyond the lodge is limited, and if something unexpected happened, knowing where to start looking makes all the difference.

• WWC reserves the right to restrict access to any area at any time in the interests of safety or conservation — for example, during extreme weather or if a dangerous animal is in the area.

 

C9.  Respect for Staff, Community & Culture

• WWC operates in close partnership with local communities. Guests are asked to treat all WWC staff and community members with dignity and respect at all times.

• Photography of staff, community members, or community areas requires consent. Please ask before taking portraits.

• WWC operates in a region with its own customs and languages. Guests are encouraged to engage with curiosity and humility.

 

C10.  Damage to Property

Guests will be held liable for the cost of repairing or replacing any property belonging to WWC that is damaged through negligence, misuse, or deliberate action. This includes accommodation structures, furnishings, equipment, vehicles, and any other property of the conservancy. WWC reserves the right to charge the amount to the payment method on file or invoice the guest directly.

 

C11.  Substances & Intoxicants

The use of illegal substances is strictly prohibited on the property and may result in immediate removal from the premises. Alcohol is available in moderation at WWC. Guests who are visibly intoxicated to a degree that poses a risk to themselves, other guests, or wildlife may be asked to return to their accommodation or restrict their movement on the property.

 

C12.  Compliance & Right of Removal

WWC reserves the right to ask any guest to leave the property immediately — without refund — in the event of a serious, repeated, or wilful breach of these policies, or conduct that poses a risk to people, wildlife, or the environment. The decision of WWC management is final.

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