Deep in Zambia’s South Luangwa Valley, where wild dogs roam and giraffes stride through mopane woodlands, a quiet conservation revolution is underway. At the centre of it all is Conservation South Luangwa (CSL), an organisation working hand-in-hand with Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife to safeguard 1.4 million hectares of pristine wilderness.
Known as the Valley of the Leopard, this region is more than a picturesque destination; it’s a globally important ecosystem. Home to over 60 mammal species and 450 bird species, South Luangwa is the only place on Earth where you’ll find Thornicroft’s Giraffe and Cookson’s Wildebeest. It’s also a stronghold for wild dogs and elephants, and one of Africa’s premier habitats for big predators.
And yet, for all its beauty, the valley faces real threats: poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict. Protecting it takes boots on the ground, literally.
CSL’s scouts spend around ten hours a day in the field, often six in the morning and four more in the afternoon, patrolling through open grasslands, riverine forests, and floodplains. They track wildlife, rescue animals caught in snares, and monitor for illegal activity like poaching or logging. It’s tough work. It’s vital work. And it’s exactly what our Jim Green boots are made for.
“They are reliable, waterproof, and durable, a perfect fit for our demanding work environment.” says Loveness Kumwenda, a community scout and one of the recipients of Jim Green’s boots through our Boots For Rangers initiative.
“The brown colour blends seamlessly with the terrain, making them ideal for field operations.” The boots are just one small part of a much bigger mission. CSL tackles everything from law enforcement to community conservation, and they’re often the first—and only—responders to a crisis. Recently, they established Zambia’s first Rapid Response Unit, enabling faster action when elephants raid crops or illegal logging flares up in remote zones.
Leading this charge is Benson Kanyembo, CSL’s Law Enforcement Advisor. “Before joining CSL in 2009, I spent 15 years with Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife,” he says. “I started in 1994 as a village scout and worked my way up to Senior Wildlife Police Officer. One of my proudest achievements was training over 600 wildlife police officers across Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi—laying the foundation for stronger, more unified conservation efforts.”
Today, Benson designs CSL’s anti-poaching strategies, mentors rangers, and works closely with local communities to ensure conservation is both effective and sustainable. His leadership continues to ripple far beyond South Luangwa.
CSL knows that protecting wildlife starts with empowering people. Their community department is working directly with local farmers, helping reduce conflict and build resilience. One of the standout successes is chilli farming. In 2022 alone, over 100 farmers joined the chilli patroller project, creating natural barriers that discourage elephants from raiding crops. Others are trained in grain storage, business skills, and more, turning would-be conflict zones into conservation allies.
In 2025, CSL is expanding its impact by increasing anti-poaching patrols, rolling out more community game drives to foster local connection with wildlife, using smart tech to predict poaching activity and intervene early, and strengthening land-use planning to keep ecosystems connected and intact.
We’re proud to walk alongside them, step by step.
This latest drop to South Luangwa is part of our ongoing Boots For Rangers initiative with the Game Rangers Association of Africa. Whether it’s thick bush, rising floodwaters, or long days on patrol, we’re honoured to support the people protecting Africa’s wildest places.
So here’s to dedicated scouts, strong communities, and the power of a good pair of boots.
Cheers,
The Jim Green Team
All landscape photos were taken by CSL pilots.
