Banhine National Park

ABOUT BANHINE

Imagine thousands of African birds on a plain of crystal lakes

The 700 000 ha Banhine National Park is situated in central southern Mozambique, midway between Pafuri in the west and Vilanculos in the east. The Park features extensive flood plains which form crystal clear lagoons. It is an important passage point for migratory birds that flock there during the rainy season.

 

Banhine is a critically important component of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area as it lies within the wildlife corridor between the Zinave and Limpopo National Parks.

National Parks

National Parks

Transfrontier Conservation Area

Transfrontier Conservation Area

FULLSCREEN

Banhine National Park was established in 1973 to conserve the giraffe and ostrich populations found there. Unfortunately, these, as well as other wildlife populations once found here, were nearly eradicated during the war and commercial poaching activities.

Our Work

In July 2018, Peace Parks Foundation and Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC) formalised their long-standing alliance in developing Banhine National Park with the signing of a formal partnership agreement.

Anti-poaching

In order to rehabilitate and restore the park, it is a priority for both ANAC and Peace Parks Foundation to secure the area in preparation for the reintroduction of wildlife. To kick-start this process, a Law Enforcement Operations Manager was appointed by the Foundation. He is responsible for supporting the park warden in implementing a $1 million anti-poaching project over three years. Ten new additional ten new rangers have also joined the team after completing a gruelling ranger training course presented by the Southern African Wildlife College funded by Peace Parks Foundation. The anti-poaching unit  has already achieved great successes here. Co-operation with local leaders and turning arrested poachers into allies have led to the recovery of more than 79 home-made rifles and the removal of more than 500 snares.

Revitalising

As the park becomes more secure, animal translocations are planned for Banhine. Rewilding wildlife will rejuvenate the ecosystem, and stimulate the park’s eco-tourism potential.

Ecological Connectivity

Over the past five years, two PhD researchers have identified and assessed potential corridors linking Limpopo and Banhine national parks. Along with the recent realignment of the Banhine National Park borders, the Limpopo National Park management has initiated the demarcation and protection of these corridors to develop ecological interconnectivity in Great Limpopo.

“Last year two hippos moved from the Limpopo National Park to Banhine’s central pan system and recently, an elephant bull, that was collared in Limpopo National Park last year, walked to Banhine through a section along the Limpopo river that has been kept clear of human development, giving scientific evidence of the functionality of corridor linkages between the National Parks”

Antony Alexander, Peace Parks Foundation Senior Project Manager

Communities

Funding is being utilised to put in place socio-economic development and alternative livelihoods programmes for the communities living in and adjacent to Banhine, and rely on the land and the environment for their daily subsistence. This component is currently in a feasibility phase.

Tourism

To find about how you can visit Banhine, download the park brochure.

BANHINE NATIONAL PARK NEWS

31 Jul 2024

Peace Parks Foundation’s support to rangers, for people and nature

Peace Parks Foundation thanks the rangers protecting communities and nature, using their skills to conserve...

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