Zambia is awash with credible responsible tourism projects and Livingstone is no different. During stays at the riverside lodges outside town, a guided visit to the schools, villages and conservation programmes in which the lodge is involved will generally be on the inclusive activities menu. Tongabezi have done pioneering work with the local community in areas such as HIV awareness, energy conservation, education and village regeneration. To get an idea of their efforts, you can drop by at Tujatane Trust School, set up entirely by the owners in 1996 and now a thriving, evolving success story.

The welcoming Waterberry Lodge is similarly involved with funding, operations and maintenance at two local schools, the Tukongote Community Pre-School and the Loiyemo Pre and Primary Schools. Wilderness Safaris have always embraced responsible travel, and their Toka Leya lodge also runs along green principles and forges close relationships with local villages. From all of these lodges, you can visit nearby Simonga Village for a glimpse of daily life, stopping on the way back to visit a bustling market. Should you wish to enjoy a village visit, small gifts are always gratefully received at the schools, and in the interests of limiting your luggage, pens and clothes are perhaps most suitable!