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19 June 2003

Media Release: Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park

  • This is the second major translocation project between the KNP and the LNP. Previously, 1 130 animals consisting of wildebeest, giraffe, impala, warthog, waterbuck, zebra and 48 elephants were translocated to the game sanctuary in the LNP during August 2002.
  • The GLTP process is managed by a joint management board (JMB), which is under the guidance of a tri-lateral Ministerial Committee. The JMB is made up of four representatives from all three countries (Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique).
  • The JMB has different management committees advising it on different matters, which include issues such as conservation, safety and security, finance, human resources, legislation and tourism.
  • During November last year, SA”s two-year term as co-ordinating country came to an end. Mozambique has now taken over in this role.
  • South Africa”s President Thabo Mbeki, Mozambican President Joachim Chissano and Zimbabwe”s President Robert Mugabe signed the treaty for the establishment of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park on December 9, 2002 in Xai- Xai, Mozambique.
  • On December 11, 2003, the South African Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Honourable Mr Valli Moosa and Mozambican Minister of Tourism, Honourable Mr Fernando Sumbana symbolically removed 20 metres of the border fence between Mozambique and South Africa.
  • It is envisaged that the establishment of the GLTP (35 000 square kilometres) will eventually lead to the development of a larger Transfrontier Conservation Area spanning 99 800 square kilometres.
  • The GLTP consists of the following national parks and areas: Limpopo National Park (Mozambique), Kruger National Park (South Africa), Makuleke Contractual Area (South Africa), Sengwe Corridor (Zimbabwe), Gonarezhou National Park (Zimbabwe), Malipati Safari Area (Zimbabwe) and Manjinji Pan Sanctuary (also Zimbabwe).
  • Work on the new R6 million border post between South Africa and Mozambique at Giriyondo – situated on the border between Shingwedzi and Letaba – has already started and should be completed early next year.
  • A road linking the KNP tourism network and Giriyondo will be completed at the same time.
  • The access road to the Pafuri Border Post will be upgraded.
  • Access to the Zimbabwe part of the GLTP across the Limpopo River is presently being investigated.
  • Approximately 20 kilometres of the KNP”s eastern boundary fence will be dropped in the near future.
  • These and other developments will cost R40 million.