OUR WORK
Conservation at scale
The 2 196 km2 Mana Pools wildlife conservation area and national park is located in the northernmost part of Zimbabwe along the Lower Zambezi River. It was inscribed in 1984 by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The long-term partnership agreement between Peace Parks and Zimbabwean Government underscores a shared dedication to effective stewardship of this iconic landscape, grounded in a robust and sustainable financial framework that was built on an entrepreneurial approach.
The flood plains of Mana Pools turn into a broad expanse of lakes after each rainy season. As the lakes dry up and recede, many large animals are attracted to the remaining four pools in search of water, making it one of Africa’s most renowned game-viewing regions.
Rewilding
This remarkably wild and beautiful area of river frontage, islands, sandbanks and pools, flanked by forests of mahogany, wild figs, ebonies and baobabs, is one of the least developed national parks in Southern Africa. However, it holds Zimbabwe’s biggest concentration of hippos, and crocodiles and supports large dry season mammal populations of zebra, elephant and cape buffalo. It is also home to lion, cheetah, wild dog, leopard and brown hyena.
Combatting wildlife crime
When the area was inscribed by UNESCO in 1984, it was one of the most important refuges for black rhino populations in Africa, with about 500 animals. By 1994, poaching had reduced these to just 10 remaining rhinos, which were removed to another area for their protection. Today poaching levels in the area are low.
Community development
Communities are engaged with through the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) which facilitates community beneficiation through controlled hunting.
Conservation finance
We source reliable funding and take care of the financial administration thereof so as to assist the park in achieving its objectives.
