Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe occupies 390,757 km² of land in south central Africa, between the Limpopo and Zambezi rivers. The land-locked country is bounded by Mozambique to the east, Zambia to the north and north west, South Africa to the south, and to the south west by Botswana. It lies wholly within the tropics and is part of the great plateau which traverses Africa.

The climate of Zimbabwe is temperate. The winter season from May to August is cool and dry, with temperatures between 13 to 20 degrees Celsius. Summer, which is from December to February temperatures vary between 25 and 30 °C and the rainy season normally stretches from November to March. Parts of the country suffer regular periods of drought.The average monthly rainfall is 196mm in summer and 10mm in winter.

Zimbabwe has a population of 12,754,000 (latest census). The official and business language is English, with Shona and Ndebele also widely spoken. Harare is the capital city of Zimbabwe, a vital commercial and industrial business Centre; other centres include Bulawayo and Mutare. Formerly Southern Rhodesia, Zimbabwe attained independence from Britain in 1980. Elections are held every 5 years and the President is the Head of State.

Zimbabwe's economy is dependent on agricultural products including tobacco, cotton and sugar cane. Major export commodities are tobacco and horticulture. Smaller crops like sugar, tea, coffee, cotton, seeds, maize, small grains and oilseeds are also exported. The sector is an important contributor to the country’s export activities, with markets in America, Europe, Africa and the Far East. Mining contributes 4.3 % to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employs 7 % of the country’s labour force and earns 40 % of the foreign exchange. Zimbabwe is richly endowed with mineral resources, over 40 different types of minerals are mined in the country, including the major minerals gold, chrome, asbestos, coal, iron ore, nickel, copper, diamonds and platinum. Other contributors to the economy are industry and cattle farming. The principal manufactured exports include ferro-alloys, clothing, metal products, chemicals, plastics and cotton-lint. Livestock agriculture (cattle) is one of the country’s foremost economic activities. At present Zimbabwe is facing severe socio-economic difficulties including hyper-inflation, negative real interest rates, and a chronic shortage of foreign exchange.

Tourism contributes about 5 % of GDP and directly and indirectly employs over 83,000 people. Zimbabwe has one of the more diversified tourism resource bases in the SADC region. However, despite all its tourist attractions, very limited development has occurred since 1996 owing to inadequate support and few promotional activities for the sector. Wildlife and ecotourism are the mainstays of the sector but, in addition, the majestic Victoria Falls, the Great Zimbabwe National Monument, home tothe ancient rulers of Zimbabwe, the Matopos National Park, Lake Kariba, Mana Pools, and the scenic Eastern Highlands are some of the most favoured tourist sites.

Improved Land and Air Access

Tourism offers the best potential for developing a sustainable local economy and growing the gross domestic product of the GLTFCA region.  To realise the tourism potential, facilities need to operate at minimum sustained occupancies to be viable. This is best achieved when the right policy environment helps reduce risk. To extract value, investment is required in facilities, skills and marketing. A well-known destination and a brand make it easier to achieve viability.  

GLTFCA Signage Manual and Implementation Plan

As part of the marketing of GLTFCA, the JMB resolved to erect signage at strategic entrance gates in the three partner countries, which informs tourists that they are entering the TFCA. 

Development of GLTFCA Transboundary Tourism Strategic Framework

The Strategic Strategy Framework is intended to guide and coordinate the development of sustainable transboundary tourism, and to facilitate the removal of barriers to tourism development, investment promotion and growth in the GLTFCA region. Cognisant of the COVID-19 pandemic impact on tourism to and within the destination, the Transboundary Tourism Development document must also include recovery strategies for implementation at GLTFCA regional level.

Zambesia Conservation Alliance - A regional Alliance of Conservation organisations.

The above has outlined our initiative goals - the process is 8 months old and the organisation has made good inroads into establishing the alliance of outreach partner organisations. We have also linked this alliance with large credible organisations and will continue to build on this process.

Zambesia Conservation Alliance - A regional Alliance of Conservation organisations.

The above has outlined our initiative goals - the process is 8 months old and the organisation has made good inroads into establishing the alliance of outreach partner organisations. We have also linked this alliance with large credible organisations and will continue to build on this process.

Zambesia Conservation Alliance - A regional Alliance of Conservation organisations.

The above has outlined our initiative goals - the process is 8 months old and the organisation has made good inroads into establishing the alliance of outreach partner organisations. We have also linked this alliance with large credible organisations and will continue to build on this process. 

Dignity Landscape KAZA Project

Support "living landscape" initiative where people and livestock are part of conservation solutions.

Biodiversity conservation in the mid-Zambezi region

Output 1.1.  National policy and regulatory framework is reviewed, and updated in accordance with the new Zimbabwe Constitution and national development priorities including National Wildlife Policy, Parks and Wildlife Act, forest legislation in accordance with National Forest Policy (2017), and National Law Enforcement and Anti-Poaching Strategy.
Indicator: Presence of updated and officially approved National Wildlife Policy, Parks and Wildlife Act, Communal Land Forest Produce Act, and National Law Enforcement and Anti-Poaching Strategy

Development of Limpopo National Park / Greater Libombos Conservancy / Kruger National Park Joint Security Plan

The main objective of the proposed assignment is to develop a Joint Security Plan for the GLTFCA more specifically for the southern part of the GLTFCA in order to: 
(1) Provide for more effective and efficient joint operations to mitigate wildlife crime; and 
(2) Determine current and future financial and human resource capacity needs to support ongoing joint operations.

Proposed Development of Wildlife Poisoning Mitigation Strategy

Development of GLTFCA Wildlife Poisoning Mitigation Strategy based on the findings of the GLTFCA Baseline Study.

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