Zimbabwe: African Parks takes over management of Matusadonha National Park!

African Parks, a non-profit conservation organisation that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities, and the Government of Zimbabwe have signed a 20-year agreement on 01 November 2019 for the management of the iconic Matusadonha National Park in in northern Zimbabwe. The organisation, in partnership with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) is set to implement management strategies to secure the National Park and restore wildlife populations, unlocking its ecological, social and economic value enabling communities to derive long-term benefits. According to news reports, African Parks will invest US$8m in the next five years to revive Matusadonha National Park.

The 1,407km² Matusadonha National Park is situated in the north-west of Zimbabwe on the southern shores of Lake Kariba. It was once a conservation stronghold for elephants, lions and black rhinos until rampant poaching decimated populations. Matusadonha National Park is the sixteenth park to fall under African Parks' management, and the first within Zimbabwe.