In the heart of Zimbabwe’s Hwange District, an area bordering between the Zambezi National Park and the city of Victoria Falls, Levison Sibanda wakes early each morning to check the boundaries of nearby villages for lion tracks so farmers know the best direction in which to lead their livestock for grazing. As a Community Guardian in the conservation of wildlife and environment for the villages of Hlanganani and Jabulani, it’s Levison’s job to keep predators like lions and hyenas away from the community and teach villagers how to keep their livestock safe.

“I walk from one village to the other all day long until I get back home, tired of walking long distances,” says Levison, who travels up to 30 km to reach the boundaries of his post, sometimes clocking over 600 km per month—unless he’s lucky enough to catch a costly ride on a donkey cart. “Going to the farthest area, I used to camp there for at least three days so I could try to reduce fatigue from walking and because it would get dark before I could get home.”

In 2020, Levison received a Buffalo Bicycle.

“Now that I have a bicycle, I will expand my help to the community so they get timely information.”

Five years later, Levison continues his dedication to conservation on his Buffalo Bicycle, which carries him swiftly across dusty roads and bush tracks. He now covers more villages than ever before, reaching areas that once took hours on foot in just a fraction of the time. Monthly conservation meetings, once hit-or-miss, now happen without fail, and attendance has grown as villagers see the value in timely information.

Levison recalls that, earlier this year, the bicycle was key in supporting his work. He received a call about a lioness prowling near a grazing field and reached the site in under an hour. Then, he alerted herders and guided the cattle back to safety.

“Without the bike, that day would have ended with big losses,” he says.

Outside his conservation duties, the bike has brought personal benefits too. “I can help my wife with errands, collect supplies from shops, and even spend more time with my children,” he says. The added efficiency in his work has also freed up time for small income-generating activities, boosting the family’s earnings.

When asked how it feels to know his story has inspired people worldwide, Levison smiles. “It’s humbling. I never thought a bicycle could be a story worth telling, but it has changed my life and my community’s safety. I hope others get the same chance I did.”

In a district where mobility means the difference between reaction and prevention, Levison’s bicycle supports the peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife.