Peace Parks has championed the development of the Malawi-Zambia transboundary landscape since 2003
We have Partnered with Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife for twenty years in a mission to protect this landscape that has the biodiversity-rich Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve at its core.
The Government of Malawi and Peace Parks Foundation signed a ground-breaking 20-year co-management agreement in 2023 to secure the long-term protection and sustainability of these two vital ecological havens.
The magnificent 32 278 km² Malawi-Zambia (MAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area incorporates national parks, wildlife reserves, forest reserves and game management areas.
The landscape comprises of two main components: The Nyika-North Luangwa component is centered on a high undulating montane grassland plateau rising over 2 000 m above the bushveld and wetlands of Vwaza Marsh. To the south, the Kasungu-Lukusuzi component is an area of importance for biodiversity conservation in the Central Zambezian Miombo Woodland Ecoregion.
It offers sights unlike you’ve ever experienced before.
OUR WORK
Conservation at scale
Peace Parks Foundation has supported the development of the Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) since 2003 when, following a study carried out by the Foundation, the governments of Malawi and Zambia started exploring the possibility of establishing a transboundary landscape on the borders of their countries. An international coordinator was appointed to drive the process, and following several bilateral meetings a memorandum of understanding for the development of the landscape was signed in 2004.
From 2004 to 2014, Peace Parks facilitated continued collaboration between the two countries to develop the draft treaty and implementation framework. The bilateral treaty was finally signed in 2015. At a ministerial committee meeting held in 2016, it was approved that the landscape would be managed by a joint integrated management committee and that Peace Parks would be appointed as the implementing agent for the development, except for North Luangwa National Park where the Frankfurt Zoological Society would continue as implementing agent.
Peace Parks Foundation is the implementing agent for the KfW funding for the Malawi Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area and oversees the Malawi Zambia TFCA Management Unit that is responsible for the planning and implementation of related projects.
Nyika National Park
Nyika National Park is 3200km2 stretching across the great granitic dome of rolling hills cut by streams and interspersed with pockets of sheltered evergreen forest that is the Nyika plateau. Sitting in the clouds, this environment is stunningly unique and rich in both wildflowers and wildlife.
The reserve has a wonderful mix of vegetation: forest and grassland, thin woodland and marsh fed by the Nyika Plateau. It is this rich habitat which attracts a splendid range of birdlife. Nearly 300 species of birds have been recorded including stork, heron and the white-faced tree duck.
Ecological linkages
In order to avoid further habitat fragmentation, as well as restore and sustain ecological connectivity between key components of the Malawi-Zambia transboundary landscape, numerous activities at landscape and individual protected area level, are being executed. This involves conservation management, infrastructure development and operational support, unlocking the commercial potential for nature-based economies, and various community development projects inclusive of community-based natural resource management initiatives.
The Kasungu/Lukusuzi component lies to the south of the Malawi-Zambia TFCA and comprises the Kasungu National Park in Malawi, the Lukusuzi National Park in Zambia and a narrow corridor of customary land in-between. The key focus of GIZ supported projects in this component is on community involvement in natural resource management and restoring connectivity between the protected areas.
Rewilding
MAZA was the first transboundary landscape with a cross-border wildlife sanctuary, joint radio communication system and joint patrols.
Current rewilding activities in this landscape are centered around the clearing of invasive species and fire brakes. Timber from the invasive trees are used for project infrastructure and community desk production.
Combatting wildlife crime
In 2023, a particular effort was provided by the Department for national Parks and Wildlife and Peace Parks to increase the law enforcement capacity of the two protected areas. The department recruited 26 new rangers in Nyika (16) and Vwaza (6) while Peace Parks recruited 13 community rangers who joined the rapid response unit in Nyika.
Community development
Our goal, in partnership with the Malawian government, is to establish this landscape as a flagship model of coexistence. As such, communities are at the heart of all developments within the landscape:
Two community representatives will serve on the board of the future Nyika Vwaza Co-Management Trust.
A state-of-the-art Human-Wildlife Coexistence Scheme has been developed in Nyika and Vwaza. Communities are both benefiting from and leading the scheme. They were involved in the design of the 110 km of solar-powered fences erected around Vwaza and Nyika. They now participate in their management and maintenance. They are trained and organized to effectively manage human-wildlife conflicts. Additionally, a grievance mechanism is being developed to address their concerns.
Communities have managed access to the natural resources of the two protected areas. A five kilometer resource use strip has been delineated within each protected area. In 2023, a total of 2 743 resource users participated in the resource harvesting program, with the combined economic value of the harvested resources amounting to approximately USD 13 598.
Communities are the direct beneficiaries of a water scheme from Nyika to Vwaza, which will provide access to potable water for 18 000 people by 2024, expanding to 33000 once the network is fully extended.
Conservation finance
Funding
In 2023, Peace Parks’ financial support to Nyika and Vwaza exceeded EUR 4.1 m. Peace Parks has been working on multiple fundraising tracks on the shorter and longer term: Legacy Landscape Fund, KfW Phase 2, IMS foundation, Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, and National Postcode Lottery.
Tourism
Tourism is established in this landscape although infrastructure challenges and access remain challenges.
The European Union provided funding towards the development of the Malawi-Zambia TFCA, and also previously supported the SA College for Tourism through Peace Parks Foundation.
KfW supports Limpopo National Park, the establishment of wildlife corridors in the Kavango Zambezi TFCA, and the Nyika-North Luangwa component of the Malawi-Zambia TFCA.
Svenska Postkod Lotteriet, the Swedish Postcode Lottery, has been steadfastly supporting the conservation efforts of Peace Parks Foundation since 2010.
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