Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority
The Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management Authorityoperates under an Act of Parliament, the Parks and Wildlife Act of 1975.
The Authority manages one of the largest estates in the country, about 5 million hectares of land or 13% of Zimbabwe’s total land area.
Mandate
The Authority has a mandate to manage the entire wildlife population of Zimbabwe, whether on private or communal lands. Private landowners can utilize the wildlife on their land but are still accountable to the Authority for the welfare of the animals.
National Parks
These are areas managed and run by the Authority and provide visitors with leisure and accommodation facilities such as lodges, chalets, cottages, caravan sites, camping sites and picnic areas. No hunting is allowed in the National Parks as the Authority endeavours to preserve the pristine and original nature of these areas. Zimbabwe has eleven National located around the country.
- Chimanimani National Park
- Chizarira National Park
- Gonarezhou National Park
- Hwange National Park
- Kazuma Pan National Park
- Mana Pools National Park
- Matusadonha National Park
- Matobo National Park
- Nyanga National Park
- Victoria Falls National Park
- Zambezi National Park
Recreational Parks
Recreational Parks are located and centred on and around national lakes, dams or water bodies. The Authority is mandated with the managing of the country’s aquatic life, flora and fauna within the parks as well as to monitor the impact of recreational activities on the environment.
- Chinhoyi Caves
- Lake Chivero Recreational Park
- Lake Cunningham Recreational Park
- Lake Darwendale Recreational Park
- Lake Kariba Recreational Park
- Lake Kyle Recreational Park
- Osborne Dam Recreational Park
- Ngezi Recreational Park
- Sebakwe Recreational Park
- Umzingwane Recreational Park
Safari Areas
Controlled hunting is permitted in some areas of the Parks and Wildlife Estate. Hunting is controlled through a comprehensive quota system that allows for sustainable and non-destructive hunting. These areas are separate from Recreational Parks, National Parks and Sanctuaries, thereby reducing conflicting resource usage.
Botanical Gardens & Reserves
Botanic Gardens are areas where indigenous and exotic plant species are protected and propagated.
- Bunga Forest Botanical Reserve
- Ewanrigg Botanical Garden
- Haroni/ Rusitu Botanical Gardens
- Vumba Botanical Garden & Reserve
Sanctuaries
Sanctuaries are areas that act as reservoirs of animal species that are threatened with extinction, therefore, require safe breeding habitats.