Partners

The Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), under the Ministry of Tourism, is focused on protecting and conserving Zambia’s wildlife estates while enhancing the quality of life among communities and maintaining healthy biodiversity. African Parks commenced its work with the DNPW in Liuwa Plain National Park in 2003 and in the Bangweulu Wetlands in 2008. Mr Dominic L. Chiinda is the Director of Department of National Parks and Wildlife.

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.

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 €4.1 million in 2023, supporting park operations in Liuwa Plain, Odzala-Kokoua, Matusadona, Nyungwe and Ennedi. The grant also provided catalytic funding to strengthen African Parks’ community development work, particularly related to education.

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.