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Transfrontier Conservation Areas
There are over 220 Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) around the world, with 14 located in the SADC region. These 14 are at different stages of development and implementation.
Governments began working together to create TFCAs as far back as the 1930s. The goal was to connect natural landscapes that cross country borders and to improve conservation efforts in shared ecosystems.
Today, about one-third of the world’s richest land-based biodiversity areas are found along international borders
The TFCA Network
The SADC TFCA Network is a community of practice that brings together professionals working in Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) across a wide range of sectors contributing to SADC's regional sustainable rural development programme.
Recognising the shared challenges faced by TFCAs and aligned with the SADC TFCA vision, the Network was established on 25–26 September 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa, by TFCA coordinators, representatives from international NGOs, and practitioners from ten SADC Member States.
The Network aims to address several key common challenges, including:
- Strengthening governance through improved policies, legislation, and institutional frameworks
- Developing sustainable financing mechanisms for TFCAs
- Demonstrating the value of TFCAs at local, national, and regional levels—for example, by enhancing community benefits and supporting capacity development.
Become a member of the TFCA Network and join a vibrant community of like-minded professionals. Click here to join now!
Upcoming events
G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Technical Working group
14 - 17 July 2025
Skukuza, South Africa
More
COP 15 Ramsar Convention
23 - 31 July 2025
Victoria Falls
More
The IUCN World Conservation Congress
09 - 15 October 2025
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
More
Want to see your events here?
Click here to add your events to the TFCA calendar.Recently added jobs
List your job for free
Add your job listing to the TFCA website and reach a community of professionals in your field.Recently added to the Repository
Liuwa Plains - Mussuma TFCA Memorandum of Understanding
Governance
Treaty / MOA
This is an MOU signed by Angola and Zambia to establish a TFCA linking Liuwa Plains in Zambia Angola and Mussuma National Park in Angola
More
Title: "Empowering Communities in the Lower Zambezi-Mana Pools Transfrontier Conservation Area: A Path Towards Sustainable Livelihoods and Biodiversity Conservation"
Climate Change
Case studies
Synopsis: This study examines the role of community empowerment in fostering sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity conservation within the Lower Zambezi-Mana Pools Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA). It highlights successful case studies of community-based initiatives and explores potential strategies for enhancing local...
More
The Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) Map Book
Conservation
Tools
The Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) for Biodiversity, Forests, and Seascape Ecosystems Management in Eastern and Southern Africa, hosted by the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), is committed to strengthening conservation efforts through geospatial data, policy...
More
Visit a TransFrontier Park today
If you're interested in visiting one of the Transfrontier Parks, here are some great links to help you on your journey:
TOURISM in TFCAs 
KAZA Tourism
News
Maputo National Park declared a Unesco World Heritage Site
Steve Collins / 16 July 2025
(Based on Daily Maverick article by Tony Carnie)
The new 154,000ha Maputo heritage park forms an extension to South Africa’s 240,000ha iSimangaliso Wetland Park, enlarging the total area of this transboundary world heritage site to almost 400,000ha.
Mozambique has received global acclaim for setting aside the Maputo National Park as the country’s second World Heritage Site, further strengthening its commitment to conserving a large area of its southern coastline for future generations.
Maputo National Park declared a Unesco World Heritage Site
Steve Collins / 16 July 2025
(Based on Daily Maverick article by Tony Carnie)
The new 154,000ha Maputo heritage park forms an extension to South Africa’s 240,000ha iSimangaliso Wetland Park, enlarging the total area of this transboundary world heritage site to almost 400,000ha.
Mozambique has received global acclaim for setting aside the Maputo National Park as the country’s second World Heritage Site, further strengthening its commitment to conserving a large area of its southern coastline for future generations.
Home Affairs ministers approve the opening of a pilot tourism-only border crossing linking the Kruger and Gonarezhou national parks.
Steven Collins / 23 June 2025
The Ministers of Home Affairs, for South Africa, Dr Leon Schreiber through the Border Management Authority (BMA) and Zimbabwe, Hon. Kazembe Kazembe have approved the opening of a pilot project for a pre-scheduled tourism only border crossing linkingthe Kruger National Park in South Africa and Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe through the Sengwe-Tshipise corridor. The pilot tourism access facility will allow for travellers to experience easy access between the two National Parks, in one wild experience. The facility will...
More news
Want to see your news here?
Click here to add your news to the TFCA website.
Visit a TransFrontier Park today
If you're interested in visiting one of the Transfrontier Parks, here are some great links to help you on your journey:
TOURISM in TFCAs
KAZA Tourism
The TFCA Network
The SADC TFCA Network is a community of practice that brings together professionals working in Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) across a wide range of sectors contributing to SADC's regional sustainable rural development programme.
Recognising the shared challenges faced by TFCAs and aligned with the SADC TFCA vision, the Network was established on 25–26 September 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa, by TFCA coordinators, representatives from international NGOs, and practitioners from ten SADC Member States.
The Network aims to address several key common challenges, including:
- Strengthening governance through improved policies, legislation, and institutional frameworks
- Developing sustainable financing mechanisms for TFCAs
- Demonstrating the value of TFCAs at local, national, and regional levels—for example, by enhancing community benefits and supporting capacity development.
Become a member of the TFCA Network and join a vibrant community of like-minded professionals. Click here to join now!
News
Maputo National Park declared a Unesco World Heritage Site
Steve Collins / 16 July 2025
(Based on Daily Maverick article by Tony Carnie)
The new 154,000ha Maputo heritage park forms an extension to South Africa’s 240,000ha iSimangaliso Wetland Park, enlarging the total area of this transboundary world heritage site to almost 400,000ha.
Mozambique has received global acclaim for setting aside the Maputo National Park as the country’s second World Heritage Site, further strengthening its commitment to conserving a large area of its southern coastline for future generations.
Maputo National Park declared a Unesco World Heritage Site
Steve Collins / 16 July 2025
(Based on Daily Maverick article by Tony Carnie)
The new 154,000ha Maputo heritage park forms an extension to South Africa’s 240,000ha iSimangaliso Wetland Park, enlarging the total area of this transboundary world heritage site to almost 400,000ha.
Mozambique has received global acclaim for setting aside the Maputo National Park as the country’s second World Heritage Site, further strengthening its commitment to conserving a large area of its southern coastline for future generations.
Home Affairs ministers approve the opening of a pilot tourism-only border crossing linking the Kruger and Gonarezhou national parks.
Steven Collins / 23 June 2025
The Ministers of Home Affairs, for South Africa, Dr Leon Schreiber through the Border Management Authority (BMA) and Zimbabwe, Hon. Kazembe Kazembe have approved the opening of a pilot project for a pre-scheduled tourism only border crossing linkingthe Kruger National Park in South Africa and Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe through the Sengwe-Tshipise corridor. The pilot tourism access facility will allow for travellers to experience easy access between the two National Parks, in one wild experience. The facility will...
More news
Upcoming events
G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Technical Working group
14 - 17 July 2025
Skukuza, South Africa
More
COP 15 Ramsar Convention
23 - 31 July 2025
Victoria Falls
More
The IUCN World Conservation Congress
09 - 15 October 2025
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
More
Recently added jobs
Recently added to the Repository
Liuwa Plains - Mussuma TFCA Memorandum of Understanding
Governance
Treaty / MOA
This is an MOU signed by Angola and Zambia to establish a TFCA linking Liuwa Plains in Zambia Angola and Mussuma National Park in Angola
More
Title: "Empowering Communities in the Lower Zambezi-Mana Pools Transfrontier Conservation Area: A Path Towards Sustainable Livelihoods and Biodiversity Conservation"
Climate Change
Case studies
Synopsis: This study examines the role of community empowerment in fostering sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity conservation within the Lower Zambezi-Mana Pools Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA). It highlights successful case studies of community-based initiatives and explores potential strategies for enhancing local...
More
The Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) Map Book
Conservation
Tools
The Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) for Biodiversity, Forests, and Seascape Ecosystems Management in Eastern and Southern Africa, hosted by the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), is committed to strengthening conservation efforts through geospatial data, policy...
More
