This week, Peace Parks TV joins an enlightening and adventurous field visit to Mozambique with Peace Parks Foundation and the board of the Swedish Postcode Association. Members were taken on an immersive journey through Zinave and Maputo national parks by Chief Development Officer Lilian Spijkerman and Antony Alexander, Programme Manager for Great Limpopo and Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Areas. On their travels, they witnessed firsthand the progress and positive impact of ongoing developments within both parks.
Since 2008, the Swedish Postcode Lottery has been a committed supporter of Peace Parks and its partners, contributing to numerous rewilding, community development, wildlife protection and conservation projects throughout southern Africa. Their unwavering support has directly influenced the health of ecosystems in the region, allowing them to transition from silent areas plagued by poaching and devoid of wildlife to flourishing landscapes full of promise.
As a nonprofit organisation, Peace Parks relies on donor funding to continue its mission to protect Africa’s wild spaces – from vital protected areas to vast transboundary landscapes. Providing donors with the opportunity to witness the real outcomes of their contributions creates a deeper connection to the remarkable work being carried out on the ground by dedicated teams. These experiences showcased the immensely positive impacts being achieved, and reaffirmed that great change is possible, at scale.
Each day of the visit was packed with a diverse range of activities, from tours of Zinave National Park’s headquarters to magical moments spent taking in the wonders of the wilderness on the banks of the Savé River. Game drives and scenic flights illustrated both the raw beauty of Mozambique’s landscapes, and the leaps and bounds made by nature since Peace Parks has been operational in these areas.
Together with Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas, Peace Parks is committed to protecting, managing and restoring Zinave and Maputo national parks. The visible results of rewilding, ecosystem revival, community development and tourism to date are a testament to this relationship, and to the game changing contributions made by partners, funders and donors.
Venturing from Zinave to Maputo National Park, the group experienced stunning elements of the unique land- and seascape. A stopover at the newly inaugurated, award-winning Membene Lodge demonstrated the immense value of responsible, nature-based tourism, both to visitors and to local communities. These crucial developments are bringing in revenue shared with local people, providing them with opportunities to invest in conservation and gain benefits to their lives and livelihoods. Management staff gave insightful presentations, which further enriched the group’s understanding of the dedicated work by teams on the ground.
Maputo International Airport’s K9 unit provided the final highlight of the trip, as the adept and invaluable detection dogs showed off their skills. The unit is making a powerful contribution to combating wildlife crime at one of Africa’s most notorious wildlife trafficking hubs, and board members were able to grasp why these ongoing canine operations are so vital.
Peace Parks would like to extend enormous thanks to the board of the Swedish Postcode Association, and lottery players, for their vital long-term support of Zinave and Maputo national parks. Such sizable contributions are making these remarkable, ongoing journeys possible and paving the way for a bright future of partnerships for #NatureWithoutBorders.
Learn more at peaceparks.org
