The Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), under the Ministry of Tourism, works to protect and conserve Zambia’s wildlife estates and improve the quality of life among communities, while maintaining healthy biodiversity. African Parks began its work with the DNPW in Liuwa Plain National Park in 2003 and in the Bangweulu Wetlands in 2008. Mr Andrew Chomba is the current Acting Director of the DNPW.
The Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE)
The BRE is recognised by the Zambian Government as an official community administrative entity in Western Province and, as such, is an essential partner in the Liuwa Plain project. His Majesty the Litunga Lubosi Imwiko II and the Limulunga Kuta (Parliament) played an instrumental role in assisting the Zambian Government to conclude an agreement with African Parks in 2003. Since then, the Litunga has maintained an active role in guiding the project through the participation of two BRE representatives on the Liuwa Board.
Stichting Natura Africae
A charitable foundation established in 2017 by Jan Verhagen, a Dutch entrepreneur, Natura Africae is dedicated to the conservation of national parks and protected areas in Africa, recognising the reciprocal relationship between the livelihoods of local communities and the successful protection of an ecosystem’s wildlife. The Foundation provided €4,75m in 2022, supporting park operations in Liuwa Plain, Odzala-Kokoua, Matusadona, Nyungwe and Ennedi. The grant also provided catalytic funding to strengthen African Parks’ organisational costs and institutional platform.
WWF has been supporting African Parks since 2007, with the goal of promoting the African Parks management model across Africa. WWF Belgium became a strategic funding partner in 2017, supporting the Malawi parks and Liuwa Plain National Park. WWF Zambia contributes to core operating costs and conservation projects in Liuwa Plain National Park and Bangweulu Wetlands, while WWF Netherlands provides support to the Zambian parks and Odzala- Kokoua National Park.
