Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management Authority

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. It should be noted that most of the Parks are located in Ecological Regions Four and Five or rugged mountainous areas which would not have much economic alternative use.

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.

Mandated with the protection, management and administration of the wildlife of Zimbabwe, the Authority has had a proud history of sound management that endeavors to preserve the unique flora and fauna heritage of Zimbabwe.

Parks & Wildlife Estate Of Zimbabwe

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 endeavors to preserve the pristine and original nature of these areas. Zimbabwe has eleven National Parks, each of which offers vastly contrasting and fulfilling wilderness experiences. The Parks are located around the country and the visitor can look forward to a wide variety of scenic, cultural and wildlife activities. 

• Chimanimani  
• Chizarira
• Gonarezhou
• Hwange
• Kazuma Pan
• Mana Pools
• Matusadonha
• Matobo
• Nyanga
• Victoria Falls
• Zambezi

Recreational Parks:
Recreational Parks are always located and centered 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
• Chivero
• Cunningham
• Darwendale
• Kariba
• Kyle
• Matobo Dam
• Osborne Dam
• Ngezi
• Sebakwe
• Umzingwane

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

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. 

• Tuli
• Matetsi
• Chete
• Chirisa

Sanctuaries:
Sanctuaries are areas that act as reservoirs of animal species that are threatened with extinction therefore require safe breeding habitats.

• Mushandike
• Tshabalala
• Eland Sanctuary