SUPPORT THE CAUSE
SCHOOLS
ANTI - POACHING
SPONSORSHIP
At DAPU, we believe conservation begins with strong communities. In the rural Dande area of northern Zimbabwe, we actively support community development by helping to build and maintain essential infrastructure such as schools and water wells for local villages. By investing in basic amenities, we help create safer, more sustainable communities that are empowered to protect the natural environment around them.
The Dande Anti-Poaching Unit (DAPU) was established to combat poaching in Zimbabwe’s Dande North and East where elephant populations were once under severe threat. Working as a community-based initiative alongside the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, DAPU trains and supports local scouts who patrol remote areas, remove wire snares, apprehend poachers, and protect wildlife. Through strong partnerships and dedicated field operations, the unit has played a significant role in dramatically reducing poaching across the region.
DAPU is funded entirely by Charlton McCallum Safaris, their clients and through donations from individuals, partners, and supporters who are committed to protecting wildlife and supporting local communities. These funds are used transparently to provide salaries, training, equipment, and performance incentives for community scouts working on the ground. In addition, fundraising initiatives and conservation partnerships help raise awareness of the ongoing need for anti-poaching support and highlight the critical role that community engagement plays in safeguarding wildlife and natural ecosystems.