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Transfrontier Conservation Areas
There are over 220 Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) around the world, with 13 located in the SADC region. These 13 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
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
GLTFCA_Learning Exchange Programme_Livelihoods and WBE
Community development
Tools
To Participate in a SADC TFCA Peer-to-Peer Learning Exchange Visit on Wildlife-Based Economy and Livelihoods.
More
Practice guidance for protected and conserved area finance
Conservation
Tools
Finance for Protected Areas. This Guide contributes to the further development of conservation finance in light of global and local challenges for biodiversity and with the goal of supporting nature and ecosystem service flows essential for human well-being.
This Guide has...
More
Mapping Climate Risk in the Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area
Climate Change
Tools
In 2020 a rural livelihood rapid climate risk assessment for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region was undertaken. The assessment entailed the development of a vulnerability index representing social, natural, physical, financial, and human capital. Data used to represent...
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
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...
SADC Leaders Mark 25 Years of Transfrontier Conservation Areas at Landmark Summit in Harare — 23 May 2025
Steve Collins / 2 June 2025
In a major milestone for regional conservation, Heads of State and Government from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened in Harare, Zimbabwe, for the Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) Summit on 23 May 2025. The summit, themed Transfrontier Conservation Areas – 25 Years of Cooperation for Regional Integration and Sustainable Development,” celebrated the quarter-century legacy of collaborative natural resource management across borders.
Germany commits an additional €24 Million to Southern Africa's Transfrontier Conservation Areas on Biodiversity Day
Steve Collins / 30 May 2025
On the occasion of International Biodiversity Day, 23 May 2025, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany has committed an additional €24 million to support Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The announcement was made during the SADC TFCA International Conference and Summit, held in Harare, Zimbabwe, which marked 25 years of cross-border conservation cooperation in Southern Africa.
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
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...
SADC Leaders Mark 25 Years of Transfrontier Conservation Areas at Landmark Summit in Harare — 23 May 2025
Steve Collins / 2 June 2025
In a major milestone for regional conservation, Heads of State and Government from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened in Harare, Zimbabwe, for the Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) Summit on 23 May 2025. The summit, themed Transfrontier Conservation Areas – 25 Years of Cooperation for Regional Integration and Sustainable Development,” celebrated the quarter-century legacy of collaborative natural resource management across borders.
Germany commits an additional €24 Million to Southern Africa's Transfrontier Conservation Areas on Biodiversity Day
Steve Collins / 30 May 2025
On the occasion of International Biodiversity Day, 23 May 2025, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany has committed an additional €24 million to support Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The announcement was made during the SADC TFCA International Conference and Summit, held in Harare, Zimbabwe, which marked 25 years of cross-border conservation cooperation in Southern Africa.
More news
Upcoming events
The IUCN World Conservation Congress
09 - 15 October 2025
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
More
Recently added to the Repository
GLTFCA_Learning Exchange Programme_Livelihoods and WBE
Community development
Tools
To Participate in a SADC TFCA Peer-to-Peer Learning Exchange Visit on Wildlife-Based Economy and Livelihoods.
More
Practice guidance for protected and conserved area finance
Conservation
Tools
Finance for Protected Areas. This Guide contributes to the further development of conservation finance in light of global and local challenges for biodiversity and with the goal of supporting nature and ecosystem service flows essential for human well-being.
This Guide has...
More
Mapping Climate Risk in the Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area
Climate Change
Tools
In 2020 a rural livelihood rapid climate risk assessment for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region was undertaken. The assessment entailed the development of a vulnerability index representing social, natural, physical, financial, and human capital. Data used to represent...
More
