Habitat Conservation

Africa

Africa is at a crossroads, on the brink of possibilities. Therein – in the nature conservancies, in the national parks, and in the corridors in-between – is hope for African wildlife. There is still time to make a difference. Animat Habitat has recognized select wildlife conservation foundations and funds making a difference in Africa.

Conservation in Eastern Africa
Conservation in Southern Africa

Protected Habitats in Africa

Large, migratory land mammals still have room to roam in Africa. African savanna elephants, while not unique as a migratory species, are uniquely large land mammals capable of roaming across larger spaces than most. A critical challenge for the future of elephants in Africa is habitat fragmentation. This is a human problem that has a human solution. The challenge, where possible, is to limit, manage and return to nature any land development into the wild places that remain or into the wildlife corridors that connect them. And to preserve these vestiges of wilderness for the benefit of local people, the elephants and the planet.

Tourism is an economic driver for many African nations with wildlife, in particular with wild elephants. While tourists share in the responsibility to travel in an ecological, environmentally economical way, travel companies will remain an intermediary between international travelers and many of the wildlife parks and reserves. And it remains the responsibility of the travel companies to make sure that tourist travel is not degrading the natural environment nor disrupting the wildlife in the area.

The wildlife tourism industry in Africa is big business, but all business is dependent on its clientele. Individual actions can make a collective difference, indicating that travelers will only support ethical, sustainable wildlife tourism. When sustainable use of the wild places and ethical treatment of the animals that live in them is made a priority by a big collective of individual tourists, the wildlife tourism industry will change for the better.

When going on a safari, look for companies that promote places where wildlife appears to live in an appropriate habitat with access to shelter, space, and water at all times. Look for experiences that offer observation of animals engaging in natural behaviors in natural environments. And look to visit national parks and protected areas that are managed by a reliable and ethical operator, where the money you spend will support park officials and local communities that steward these wild places.

Eastern Africa

+ Kenya

Kenya

  • Aberdare National Park
  • Amboseli National Park
  • Arabuko Sokoke National Park
  • Boni National Reserve
  • Dodori National Reserve
  • Hell's Gate National Park
  • Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park
  • Kisumu Impala Sanctuary
  • Kiunga Marine National Reserve
  • Lake Bogoria National Reserve
  • Malindi Marine National Park
  • Meru National Park
  • Mount Elgon National Park
  • Mount Longonot National Park
  • Mwea National Reserve
  • Nairobi National Park
  • Ol Donyo Sabuk
  • Rimoi National Reserve
  • Ruma National Park
  • Saiwa Swamp National Park
  • Shimba Hills National Reserve
  • Watamu Marine National Park

More habitats protected by Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya.

More habitats in Kenya.

Tanzania

  • Arusha National Park
  • Gombe Stream National Park
  • Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
  • Katavi National Park
  • Kitulo National Park
  • Lake Manyara National Park
  • Mahale Mountains National Park
  • Mikumi National Park
  • Mkomazi National Park
  • Ruaha National Park
  • Rubondo Island National Park
  • Saadani National Park
  • Saanane Island National Park
  • Tarangire National Park
  • Udzungwa Mountains National Park

More habitats protected by Tanzania National Parks Authority, Tanzania.

+ Malawi

Malawi

  • Lengwe National Park
  • Nyika National Park

More habitats protected by Department of National Parks, Malawi.

Mozambique

  • Banhine National Park
  • Bazaruto National Park
  • Gorgongose National Park
  • Limpopo National Park
  • Mágoè National Park
  • Quirimbas National Park
  • Zinave National Park
  • Chimanimani National Reserve
  • Maputo Special Reserve
  • Niassa National Reserve

More habitats protected by Adminstração Nacional das Áreas de Conservação, Mozambique.

Southern Africa

South Africa

  • Addo Elephant National Park
  • Agulhas National Park
  • Augrabies Falls National Park
  • Bontebok National Park
  • Camdeboo National Park
  • Garden Route National Park
  • Golden Gate Highlands National Park
  • Karoo National Park
  • Kruger National Park
  • Mapungubwe National Park
  • Marakele National Park
  • Mokala National Park
  • Mountain Zebra National Park
  • Namaqua National Park
  • Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
  • Table Mountain National Park
  • Tankwa Karoo National Park
  • West Coast National Park

More habitats protected by South African National Parks, South Africa.

More habitats in South Africa.

Eswatini

  • Hawane Nature Reserve
  • Malolotja National Park
  • Mlawula Nature Reserve

More habitats protected by Eswatini National Trust Commission, Eswatini.

Botswana

  • Chobe National Park
  • Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
  • Makgadikgadi Pan
  • Nxai Pan National Park

More habitats protected by Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Botswana.

Namibia

  • Bwabwata National Park
  • Dorob National Park
  • Etosha National Park
  • Khaudum National Park
  • Mangetti National Park
  • Mudumu National Park
  • Namib-Naukluft National Park
  • Nkasa Rupara National Park
  • Skeleton Coast National Park
  • Waterberg Plateau Park

More habitats protected by Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Namibia.

+ Angola

Angola

  • Bicuari National Park
  • Cangandala National Park
  • Iona National Park
  • Longa-Mavinga National Park
  • Luengue-Luiana National Park
  • Quiçama National Park

More habitats in Angola.

+ Zambia

Zambia

  • Blue Lagoon National Park
  • Kafue National Park
  • Lavushi Manda National Park
  • Lochinvar National Park
  • Lower Zambezi National Park
  • Luambe National Park
  • Lusaka National Park
  • Lusenga Plain National Park
  • Mweru Wantipa National Park
  • North Luangwa National Park
  • Nsumbu National Park
  • Sioma Ngwezi National Park
  • South Luangwa National Park
  • West Luangwa National Park

More habitats protected by Ministry of Tourism and Arts, Zambia.

Zimbabwe

  • Chizarira National Park
  • Gonarezhou National Park
  • Hwange National Park
  • Kazuma Pan National Park
  • Matobo National Park
  • Matusadonha National Park
  • Nyanga National Park
  • Zambezi National Park

More habitats protected by Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Zimbabwe.

More habitats in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

This is a list of wild places in Africa – in large part where savanna elephants inhabit – that need to be preserved. An objective for wildlife conservation in Africa is to support and, in many cases, to reconnect wild places like these so that elephants and wildlife may migrate safely across park boundaries and navigate corridors between habitats, apart from human agriculture and development and so on. These wild places include protected habitats in the Republic of Kenya and a contingent of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). [3]


“Conservation was the seed and tourism was the harvest.”