OUR WORK
COMMITMENT
Peace Parks has been supporting the development of Maputo National Park since 2002.
In 2018, we signed a partnership agreement with Mozambique’s National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC) to jointly develop Maputo Special and Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine reserve according to a strategic business plan, with Peace Parks providing technical and financial support for conservation and tourism development activities. In December 2021, the Government of Mozambique officially declared the joining of these two areas into the new Maputo National Park.
CONSERVATION
Protecting Giants
The Special Elephant Reserve was established in 1960 to protect the elephant population in the region. In 1969 it was renamed as “Reserva Especial do Maputo”, Maputo Special Rerserve, to highlight the conservation status beyond just elephants.
The naturally occurring elephant populations of KwaZulu-Natal and southern Mozambique historically moved freely across the border. However, during the Mozambican war (1975-1992) these elephants suffered greatly from setting off landmines and getting caught in snares set for smaller game. In a bid to safeguard them on the South African side, the northern border of Tembe Elephant Park was fenced in 1989. Unfortunately, this move cut the elephant population in half.
The remnant resident elephant population in Maputo Special Reserve were able to survive the civil war and are now flourishing, with the last game count revealing a population of over 400 elephants that graze in large herds on the open floodplains or explore the thick dune forests.
The establishment of the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservationa area is a cornerstone to reuniting these now fragmented elephant populations and open up old movement corridors, which includes those along the Futi system and Rio Maputo floodplains. In doing so the area available for elephant would dramatically increase – allowing access to the fertile Maputo River floodplain, and re-establishing traditional seasonal migrations between this area and the infertile sand forests.
On 14 June 2011 the Futi Corridor was proclaimed as an extension of Maputo Special Reserve, thereby expanding the reserve by 24 000 ha, and bringing us one step closer to restoring cross-border elephant movement.
In 2014, a joint operations strategy for Maputo Special Reserve and Tembe Elephant Park component was signed into force by the relevant authorities and approved by the Lubombo Commission. The strategy called for the formation of a park management committee, which was formally established in July 2014, and who meet regularly to collaborate on conservation, protection and development activities.
Rewilding
In 2010, the governments of Mozambique and South Africa, with support from Peace Parks Foundation, began a wildlife translocation programme to Maputo National Park. The translocations reintroduce animals that were historically found in the area to enable the fast recovery and subsequent increase of the reserve’s wildlife populations. This is essential to developing the reserve as a tourist destination. By 2019, we had translocated more than 4600 animals into the park, including eight species that had become locally extinct during the country’s 16 years civil war. We are now beginning to see real and tangible results within a reserve thriving with wildlife.
Anti-poaching
The effective partnership between ANAC and Peace Parks resulted in rapid development taking place. New roads have increased access to the area and the recovery of wildlife through increased security and the reintroduction of more than 4000 animals, have, on the one side, enhanced the tourism offering significantly, but on the other, increased the risks associated with wildlife crime.
In an effort to mitigate these threats, a trained and well-equipped ranger force has been deployed in the reserve. Security teams are supported by a helicopter for rapid response and a digital radio system installed at the newly built operations room. Improved mobility and communication provides the ranger force with the tools needed to effectively safeguard this beautiful reserve.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
In 2005 the Mozambican government appointed Peace Parks Foundation to provide assistance with a community development strategy that would bring about the sustainable economic development of communities living in and around Maputo National Park through nature-based tourism and conservation enterprises. We currently execute this responsibility through two specific collaborative endeavours – the Community Development Facility and the Mozbio Project.
Lubombo Community Development
This programme focuses on bringing about sustainable economic development of and benefit-sharing by communities living in and around conservation areas.
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Nature-based Tourism
In Mozambique, 20% of the revenue generated by government conservation areas is shared with communities living in and around parks and reserves. For this reason, tourism development is a core focus as growing the income generated through eco-tourism will directly benefit communities. Peace Parks, through the Community Development Facility, assisted beneficiaries to open bank accounts where they can safely receive these funds.
Currently, Peace Parks and ANAC are working towards developing additional tourism facilities that, together with existing concessions, will provide tourists with a wider cost and experiential offering. Accommodation options in the Reserve include Anvil Bay Lodge at Ponta Chemucane – a fully operational luxury ecotourism destination built in partnership with the local community, as well as Montebelo Milibangalala resort at Ponta Milibangalala, which is nearing completion. Further to this, park infrastructure, such as roads, signage and the entrance gate have all been upgraded to enhance the tourism experience of this magnificent park.
