ABOUT SILVANA OLIVO
italian-south african writer. conservation. ecotourism. wildlife art. /
scrittrice italo-sudafricana. ecoturismo per la fauna minacciata. wildlife art. /
écrivaine italo-sudafricaine. écotourisme pour les espèces menacées. wildlife art. /
As a writer, conservation communicator, and partnership catalyst, I connect European audiences with Southern Africa through storytelling and ethical tourism.
I work at the intersection of editorial work, conservation, tourism and sustainable development projects.
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I’m the author of Zambezi Valley: The Lost Stronghold, the only firsthand account of Operation Stronghold, Zimbabwe (1984–1993), documenting frontline anti-poaching operations, undercover intelligence on illegal wildlife trade, early community-based conservation efforts in Zimbabwe, as well as international policy frameworks and the hidden political dynamics of conservation. The book is regarded by conservation practitioners as a historical and operational reference.
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With extensive exposure to conservation in Southern Africa, my work supports NGOs, conservation-led tourism operators and projects seeking to communicate impact with integrity and engage European audiences beyond superficial marketing.
I have collaborated with conservation organisations and operators including Zimbabwe Department of National Parks & Wildlife Management, Imvelo Community Rhino Conservation Initiative, Game Rangers International, Born Free Italy, Working Group for Indigenous Minorities in Southern Africa (WIMSA), Nakavango, and others, contributing through writing, public talks, fundraising, media engagement, promotion and liaising with volunteers.
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I have represented and promoted in Europe numerous Southern African tour operators, DMCs, lodges, private game reserves, and hotels, serving in sales manager and marketing executive roles.
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I have also more than thirty years of experience in writing and publishing, mainly in Italian.
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Based in Europe, today I work independently and internationally on a project or retainer basis, supporting outreach, awareness campaigns, donor-facing narratives, educational travel initiatives and strategic introductions across France, Italy and Southern Africa. I'm open to tourism representation opportunities, with a particular focus on conservation-driven and sustainable tourism initiatives.
As an ongoing personal project, I am pursuing wildlife art, intending to channel it into my personal contributions to wildlife conservation through my creative brand The Wild Charm Factory.
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