This week has seen the launch of Peace Parks Foundation’s Peace Parks Exclusive African Conservation Experiences (PEACE). PEACE will enable guests to experience the work of Peace Parks Foundation and gain behind-the-scenes insights into what it takes to conserve these vast landscapes.
In Mozambique, 20% of the revenue generated by government conservation areas is shared with communities living in and around parks and reserves. This means that income generated through eco-tourism will directly benefit communities. So, responsible and sustainable tourism development is an essential component of a positive future for both wildlife and communities.
Currently, Peace Parks and Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC) are working towards developing additional tourism facilities that, together with existing concessions, will provide tourists with a wider cost and experiential offering. As well as Anvil Bay Lodge at Ponta Chemucane – a fully operational luxury ecotourism destination built in partnership with the local community – Montebelo Milibangalala is to open at Ponta Milibangalala. 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.
Of course, when one ventures behind the scenes one discovers just how difficult it is to achieve conservation goals in this landscape. Regardless of planning and preparation this is a wilderness area and things can often go off-plan. Here, a brand new 4×4 truck scrapes a tree, knocking its snorkel out of shape. Whoops! Luckily the rangers are adept at managing and fixing all kinds of things, so it’s soon back to bush business. CEO Werner Myburgh personally invited this group of likeminded travellers to join him in Mozambique on a PEACE trip to Maputo National Park. Peace Parks Foundation is hard at work building similar experiences in the other countries and breathtaking landscapes across the transfrontier conservation areas of southern Africa in which Peace Parks works. Look out for your invite!
