Our mission is to conserve vast areas of pristine wilderness and create employment, upskilling and opportunities for Zimbabweans.
GRACE is a philanthropic wildlife conservation organisation at Matetsi Victoria Falls that supports and develops exceptional talent and projects throughout Zimbabwe and Africa. As a fundraising and grant-giving organisation, GRACE works primarily alongside projects that affect community empowerment and upliftment and sustainable conservation initiatives.
GRACE continues to build on the achievements of Matetsi Victoria Falls and the philanthropic work of the Gardiner family. Our Achievements in Numbers Conserving around 136,000 acres of pristine wilderness Providing over 400 bird and mammal species with habitat Protecting nine miles of Zambezi River Supporting three other community-focused NPOs Installing 16 solar-powered boreholes 40 km radius radio communications network installed Clearing 300 + snares within the last nine months Recovering 3km of illegal fishing nets within the last nine months Regenerating over 100% of species over the past five years, including: Elephant, Kudu, Impala, Giraffe, Zebra, Buffalo, and Sable Wildebeest. Our accomplishments also entail numerous wildlife rescues, including the safe recovery of two snared elephant calves and a snared kudu through resourcing operations with fuel, human resources and supplies. Furthermore, 50 scouts have been fully equipped in the fight against poaching.
In the later months of 2021, Charles and Sara Gardiner decided to continue the incredible philanthropic work that their parents have done over the last 30+ years by establishing the GRACE Foundation. The noble board of trustees share a flaming passion for impacting local communities by protecting wildlife and wilderness areas for future generations. GRACE’s trustees allow their big dreams to guide them, following a holistic, long-term vision which sees local communities leading a harmonious life in mutual co-existence with the indigenous wildlife. Within the means of GRACE, our trustees aim to regenerate vast areas of wilderness and empower local communities.
GRACE is built on five foundational pillars:
What does the future hold for GRACE’s conservation efforts? Various projects aim to bring clean water to local African communities supported by GRACE. By providing resources to schools in need, GRACE supports education and the empowerment of young talent. GRACE is raising funds to translocate waterbuck into an area where the population was decimated by poaching, regenerating the species in feats unsurpassed in conservation. By assisting the Matetsi Victoria Falls anti-poaching team with equipment, GRACE combats river poaching on the Zambezi River. Through continued fundraising efforts, GRACE takes the exceptional work of its founders from glory to glory.
Sara Ellis is an incredibly dedicated and hard working member of our Matetsi family. Having been our Head Pastry Chef for over four years, Sara transitioned to her role of Quality Assurance Manager in early 2022, bringing with her a wealth of experience and an unparalleled attention to detail. Sara works primarily behind the scenes, supporting all departments to ensure that the Matetsi Magic shines through brightly in every one of our guest’s stays with us.
Sara holds a Cordons Bleus Grande Diploma from Silwood School of Cookery, Cape Town, and has worked at some exceptional Southern African establishments, including Ellerman House and Singita Pamushana, as well as on private yachts.
Sara is mother to two wonderful boys, wife of our Executive Chef, Shane Ellis, and an individual who shows great commitment not just to Matetsi Victoria Falls, but also to our local community in many ways, including standing on the Parents’ Association and driving fundraising initiatives for a local primary school.
