KAZA: One tourist destination, five countries

THE KAZA TFCA

Text Jana-Mari Smith | Main photo ©Paul van Schalkwyk

The Zambezi Region, Namibia’s tropical, river-bound north-eastern extremity, is the glue that holds the five partner countries – Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana – of the world’s largest transfrontier conservation area together.

I n March 2012 the final stamp of approval was officially given to the long-awaited Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA).

This biodiversity hotspot is viewed as a diamond in the rough, a budding tourist mecca that is ripe for the picking. For many, the area – which is home to a remarkable abundance of wildlife, birds, fish, forests and rivers – has never been fully acknowledged for its unique character.

It is hoped that with the creation of the five-country cross-border partnership, the area will become a high-value tourism drawcard. By pooling their energy, resources, knowledge and experience, the five countries will focus on conservation as the key to developing tourism in the region, aligning policies and regulations. This, tour operators hope, will ease border crossings, making it simpler for tourists to access the tourism highlights while in the KAZA area.

The major focus for the KAZA partners is to preserve the biodiversity that extends across all borders. A potential benefit is the re-establishment of traditional wildlife corridors that were cut off due to the establishment of borders. Elephant populations currently centred in small areas will be able to migrate and repopulate former home ranges, enhancing the wildlife populations of countries such as Angola and Zambia.

The KAZA TFCA partner countries recognise that tourism is a key driver for the socioeconomic progress of local communities. The five respective governments believe that by supporting community members – inherently the custodians of the resources within the KAZA area – issues such as wildlife conflicts can be tackled jointly. Thus communities will be able to benefit directly from being custodians and protectors of their natural surroundings.

Tourism operators are enthusiastic about the KAZA TFCA insofar as local people benefit, conservation benefits, and wildlife is the winner.

While much work is still required for the KAZA vision to become a reality, the hope now is that countries will stand together, share policies and cast a protective and uplifting net over this spectacular, pristine natural environment.

THIS IS WHY KAZA WILL SUCCEED

Namibia’s Zambezi Region
The Zambezi is unlike any other part of Namibia. Receiving the highest rainfall in the country, this lush, tropical wonderland is surrounded by perennial rivers, making it a tree- and bird-lover’s paradise. In some areas the rivers offer splendid views across large wetlands, in others tree canopies cast cooling shadows across the water surface. The fertile wilderness is home to an abundance of wildlife, including big game such as elephants, and a diverse profusion of birds, while freshwater anglers have the opportunity to land the big one. Numerous parks dot the Zambezi Region, enticing tourists with the prospect of getting up close and personal with nature.

Botswana’s Jewel of the Kalahari
Described as ‘the jewel of the Kalahari’, the Okavango Delta is a unique, tranquil and isolated wetland set in the otherwise harsh and waterless heart of the Kalahari Desert. The Okavango Delta – which forms part of the Moremi Game Reserve – is the world’s largest inland delta and biggest Ramsar site. From here visitors can visit the Chobe National Park, which borders the magnificent Chobe River.

Zimbabwe’s natural Wonder of the World
A must on any itinerary when visiting the KAZA area is the spectacular spectacle of the Victoria Falls. A World Heritage Site and one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Vic Falls is regarded as Africa’s top adrenalin centre. A host of activities are offered here, including white-water rafting, safaris on foot and helicopter flights. The town offers fascinating displays of its pioneering and colonial past, which played a formative role in a large section of the KAZA region. Hearing the dramatic roar of water will be a highlight of a KAZA adventure.

Zambia’s undiscovered treasures
Still relatively unexplored by global tourists, Zambia is increasingly becoming a tourist must-see, renowned for its untouched natural landscapes and wildlife. Unknown to many travellers, the Kafue National Park – Zambia’s oldest and largest national park (about the size of Wales) – boasts one of the greatest diversities of wildlife in Africa. The Busanga Plain in the north-west is a wide floodplain that is inundated for most of the year. Its lush meadows offer tasty snacks for thousands of red lechwe and Cape buffalo. Lions, leopards and cheetahs are frequently spotted in this vast, pristine expanse. This park and many more can be visited in the Zambian segment of KAZA.

Angola’s last true wilderness areas
Heavily impacted by decades of civil war, Angola is slowly but surely embracing peace and opening its doors to tourists, increasingly attracting visitors to its scenic rivers, countryside and coastline. Travellers report that the country provides a rich cultural experience. It is believed that the establishment of the KAZA TFCA will attract elephants from other KAZA partner countries to Angola’s wildlife areas.

This article was first published in the Travel News Namibia Winter 2012 issue.