The Memorandum of Understanding to formalise the establishment of the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation and Resource Area was signed by the Mozambique, South Africa and eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) Governments in 2000.
It is a place where a meeting of land and sea offers different views at every angle.
Transfrontier Conservation Area
National Park
Protected Area
Country Border
Peace Parks Foundation Key Protected Areas
Maputo Environmental Protected Area
The Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation and Resource Area includes four distinct transfrontier conservation areas between Mozambique, South Africa and The Kingdom of eSwatini, covering a total area of 10 029 km². From coral reefs and turtle nesting sites, to coastal plains and over woodlands to the Lubombo Mountain Range, this area is one of the most striking areas of biodiversity globally.
The Lubombo transboundary area lies in the Maputaland Centre of Endemism that includes five Ramsar sites: Ndumo Game Reserve, the Kosi Bay System, Lake Sibaya, the Turtle Beaches and Coral Reefs of Tongaland and Lake St. Lucia, which is Africa’s largest estuary. The landscape boasts the first marine Transfrontier conservation area in Africa, the Ponta do Ouro-Kosi Bay TFCA, that connects Mozambique’s Maputo National Park’s turtle monitoring programme with South Africa’s iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site. Our work is concentrated on what is now known as Maputo National Park in Mozambique, and the neighbouring Tembe Elephant Park.
This 1 795 square kilometre park combines lakes, wetlands, swamp forests, grasslands and mangrove forests with a pristine coastline in southern Mozambique. The marine component stretches from Ponta do Ouro in the south to the Maputo River Mouth in Maputo Bay in the north.
Tembe Elephant Park is a 300 km2 anchor on the South African side of the Lubombo transboundary landscape. This community run and owned park has a high density of wildlife, including keystone species such as lions, wild dogs and the critically endangered black rhino.
Ecological linkages
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park situated on the South African side of the Lubombo transboundary landscape, was proclaimed a World Heritage Site in November 1999. The site is the largest estuarine system in Africa and includes the southernmost extension of coral reefs on the continent. Joining the Maputo National Park to this heritage site protects not only the terrestrial component, and creates an extensive protection zone in the marine environment.
Rewilding
Peace Parks’ rewilding efforts in this landscape have focussed largely on the Maputo National Park to which we have moved 5 385 animals. This ecosystem is now so well intact that it is being naturally rewilded through regeneration and the latest game count stood at 17 400.
Combatting wildlife crime
In all the transboundary landscapes, wildlife crime is a constant threat. A significant reduction in the number of arrests, animals poached and firearms confiscated in 2019 and onwards is directly in line with the ranger force more than doubling in size in the Maputo National Park.
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. There has been a good amount of work done with the community in this landscape through the Blue Action Fund and Herding for Health.
The Lubombo Community Development programme has brought about sustainable economic development of and benefit-sharing by communities living in and around conservation areas.
Funding
We source reliable funding and take care of the financial administration thereof so as to assist the transboundary landscape in achieving its objectives.
Tourism
Tourism revenue in this landscape continues to rise with the successful launch of excellent and varied accommodation options in Maputo National Park. Continued support of the marine offerings by tourists increased by 33% in 2023 to 23 557, surface dives for marine mammal observation increased by 57% to 6 627, ocean safaris rose by 11% to 2 996 and the number of active recreational fishermen grew by 36% to 3 631.
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park situated on the South African side of the Ponta do Ouro-Kosi Bay TFCA, was proclaimed a World Heritage Site in November 1999. The site is the largest estuarine system in Africa and includes the southernmost extension of coral reefs on the continent. Efforts are ongoing to extend the existing World Heritage Site northwards to encompass the Mozambican section of the TFCA of Maputo National Park.
Biofund
Read MoreBiofund supports the development of Limpopo National Park, Banhine National Park, and Maputo National Park in Mozambique.
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Blue Action Fund
Read MoreBlue Action Fund supports Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Maputo National Park. This is a five-year project aimed at marine ecosystem protection and restoration, community-based fisheries management, and community livelihoods projects to alleviate pressure on marine resources…
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COmON Foundation
Read MoreEstablished and supports Community Development Facilities in the Maputo National Park in the Lubombo TFCA, sustainable development and management of the Banhine National Park in the Great Limpopo TFCA, the Simalaha Community Conservancy in the Kavango Zambezi TFCA, Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh…
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Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
Read MoreGIZ supports PPF in various landscapes with implementaion of the herding for health model, and agricultural and livelihood activities.
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Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
Read MoreWe partner with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife in the protection and development of South African component of the Lubombo TFCA, working closely to protect Africa’s rhino through the Rhino Protection Programme.
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Fondation Ensemble
Read MoreFondation Ensemble supported sustainable fishing and alternative livelihoods in the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve in Mozambique.
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Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco
Read MoreFondation Prince Albert II de Monaco supported the development and management of Maputo National Park and a water security project in Limpopo National Park, Mozambique.
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GEOS Foundation
Read MoreGlobal Exploration and Oceanographic Society (GEOS) provides support to the vital work of Field Rangers and Peace Parks’ Combatting Wildlife Crime Programme.
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Hansjörg Wyss
Read MoreMr Hansjörg Wyss supports tourism development in Maputo National Park, Mozambique.
Mozbio
Read MoreMozBio supports the development of Maputo National Park in the Lubombo TFCA.
National Administration for Conservation Areas
Read MoreANAC is the conservation authority in Mozambique. We partner closely with them to protect and develop Limpopo, Banhine and Zinave National Parks, and surrounding protected space as part of the Great Limpopo TFCA; as well as the Maputo National Park.
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National Postcode Lottery
Read MoreNationale Postcode Loterij, the Dutch Postcode Lottery, has been a steadfast supporter of Peace Parks Foundation since 2003.
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Neville and Pamela Isdell
Read MoreThe Isdell family provides support to Sioma Ngwezi National Park and the Simalaha Community Conservancy in the Kavango Zambezi TFCA. Previously they also supported the development of the Lubombo TFCA and the Rhino Protection Programme.
PON Bike
Read MorePON supported rangers in the Kavango Zambezi, Lubombo and Great Limpopo TFCAs with bicycles and related equipment.
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Reinet Foundation
Read MoreThe Reinet Foundation provides funding for tourism development in Maputo National Park Mozambique, as well as supports various efforts under the Rhino Protection Programme.
Swedish Postcode Lottery
Read MoreSvenska Postkod Lotteriet, the Swedish Postcode Lottery, has been steadfastly supporting the conservation efforts of Peace Parks Foundation since 2010.
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The World Bank
Read MoreWorld Bank supports community development in Mozambique through MozBio, and played a role in the development of the Malawi-Zambia TFCA.
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