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Transfrontier Conservation Areas
There are over 220 Transboundary / Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) globally, with 14 located in Southern Africa. These 14 SADC approved TFCAs cover over 1 million square kilometers which is 7% of SADC land in 11 of SADC's 16 countries. The main objective is to reconnect natural landscapes that cross country borders, to improve conservation and sustainable rural development.
About one-third of the world’s richest land-based biodiversity areas are found along international borders.
The TFCA Network
The SADC TFCA Network is a community of practice that brings together professionals working in Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) across a wide range of sectors contributing to SADC's regional sustainable rural development programme.
Recognising the shared challenges faced by TFCAs and aligned with the SADC TFCA vision, the Network was established on 25–26 September 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa, by TFCA coordinators, representatives from international NGOs, and practitioners from ten SADC Member States.
The Network aims to address several key common challenges, including:
- Strengthening governance through improved policies, legislation, and institutional frameworks
- Developing sustainable financing mechanisms for TFCAs
- Demonstrating the value of TFCAs at local, national, and regional levels—for example, by enhancing community benefits and supporting capacity development.
Become a member of the TFCA Network and join a vibrant community of like-minded professionals. Click here to join now!
Upcoming events
COP 15 Ramsar Convention
23 - 31 July 2025
Victoria Falls
More
KAZA Structure meetings
18 - 22 August 2025
TBD
More
The IUCN World Conservation Congress
09 - 15 October 2025
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
More
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Click here to add your events to the TFCA calendar.List your job for free
Add your job listing to the TFCA website and reach a community of professionals in your field.Recently added to the Repository
Climate change & human-wildlife conflict an analysis of climate crowd data
Climate Change
Research
As we experience intensifying environmental changes and resource scarcity, humans and
wildlife are altering their behaviors, leading to increased competition for food and water and
escalating human-wildlife conflict. The findings of this report highlight the
interconnectedness of human and...
More
SADC TFCA International Conference and Heads of State Summit May 2025 report
Meeting Report
Meeting Report
The first ever SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) Conference and Summit, held in Harare, Zimbabwe, from May 19-23, 2025, celebrated 25 years of regional cooperation under the theme "SADC TFCAs: 25 Years of Cooperation for Regional Integration and Sustainable Development,"...
More
SADC TFCA Value Study
Conservation
Strategy and guides
The overarching objective of the assignment and report was to demonstrate the value
that TFCAs provide to a multitude of beneficiaries. This is achieved by utilising an ecosystem service
assessment (ESA) framework which identifies the linkages between the ecological asset (the TFCA
estate),...
More
Visit a TransFrontier Park today
If you're interested in visiting one of the Transfrontier Parks, here are some great links to help you on your journey:
TOURISM in TFCAs 
KAZA Tourism
News
Integrating Risk Management Dialogue in the SADC TFCAs International Conference and Summit
Rorly Sherwen / 29 July 2025
In the field of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Risk-Informed Development (RID) is a systematic approach aimed at identifying, assessing, and reducing the risks of disasters to and from development. It involves strategies and practices that minimize vulnerabilities and disaster risks throughout a society to prevent or mitigate the adverse impacts of hazards within the broader context of sustainable development.
In Southern Africa, DRR efforts include improving institutional capacities for disaster prevention, mitigation, preparation, and response. The Southern African Development Community (SADC)...
Meet the New SADC TFCA Advisor: Colum Zhuwau
Rorly Sherwen / 29 July 2025
Mr. Colum Zhuwao has joined IUCN ESARO, and seconded to the SADC Secretariat based in Gaborone, Botswana.
He is a seasoned Ecologist with over 15 years of experience in biodiversity conservation, policy development, and project implementation at both national and regional levels. He began his career in 2005 with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), where he served in several strategic roles including National Rhino Coordinator, CITES-MIKE Focal Point, and Coordinator of the ZimParks component of a UNDP-GEF...
RCoE ESA Launches Transformative Map Book at RCMRD 50th Anniversary Celebrations
Rorly Sherwen / 29 July 2025
The Regional Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity, Forests, and Seascape Ecosystems Management in Eastern and Southern Africa (RCoE-ESA), hosted by the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), is proud to launch the RCoE-ESA Map Book, a dynamic new resource designed to support data-driven conservation and sustainable planning across the region. Nairobi, 16 June 2025.
Spanning 24 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa, the Map Book features rich spatial and thematic content, highlighting biodiversity hotspots, a comprehensive analysis of...
More news
Want to see your news here?
Click here to add your news to the TFCA website.
Visit a TransFrontier Park today
If you're interested in visiting one of the Transfrontier Parks, here are some great links to help you on your journey:
TOURISM in TFCAs
KAZA Tourism
The TFCA Network
The SADC TFCA Network is a community of practice that brings together professionals working in Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) across a wide range of sectors contributing to SADC's regional sustainable rural development programme.
Recognising the shared challenges faced by TFCAs and aligned with the SADC TFCA vision, the Network was established on 25–26 September 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa, by TFCA coordinators, representatives from international NGOs, and practitioners from ten SADC Member States.
The Network aims to address several key common challenges, including:
- Strengthening governance through improved policies, legislation, and institutional frameworks
- Developing sustainable financing mechanisms for TFCAs
- Demonstrating the value of TFCAs at local, national, and regional levels—for example, by enhancing community benefits and supporting capacity development.
Become a member of the TFCA Network and join a vibrant community of like-minded professionals. Click here to join now!
News
Integrating Risk Management Dialogue in the SADC TFCAs International Conference and Summit
Rorly Sherwen / 29 July 2025
In the field of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Risk-Informed Development (RID) is a systematic approach aimed at identifying, assessing, and reducing the risks of disasters to and from development. It involves strategies and practices that minimize vulnerabilities and disaster risks throughout a society to prevent or mitigate the adverse impacts of hazards within the broader context of sustainable development.
In Southern Africa, DRR efforts include improving institutional capacities for disaster prevention, mitigation, preparation, and response. The Southern African Development Community (SADC)...
Meet the New SADC TFCA Advisor: Colum Zhuwau
Rorly Sherwen / 29 July 2025
Mr. Colum Zhuwao has joined IUCN ESARO, and seconded to the SADC Secretariat based in Gaborone, Botswana.
He is a seasoned Ecologist with over 15 years of experience in biodiversity conservation, policy development, and project implementation at both national and regional levels. He began his career in 2005 with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), where he served in several strategic roles including National Rhino Coordinator, CITES-MIKE Focal Point, and Coordinator of the ZimParks component of a UNDP-GEF...
RCoE ESA Launches Transformative Map Book at RCMRD 50th Anniversary Celebrations
Rorly Sherwen / 29 July 2025
The Regional Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity, Forests, and Seascape Ecosystems Management in Eastern and Southern Africa (RCoE-ESA), hosted by the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), is proud to launch the RCoE-ESA Map Book, a dynamic new resource designed to support data-driven conservation and sustainable planning across the region. Nairobi, 16 June 2025.
Spanning 24 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa, the Map Book features rich spatial and thematic content, highlighting biodiversity hotspots, a comprehensive analysis of...
More news
Upcoming events
COP 15 Ramsar Convention
23 - 31 July 2025
Victoria Falls
More
KAZA Structure meetings
18 - 22 August 2025
TBD
More
The IUCN World Conservation Congress
09 - 15 October 2025
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
More
Recently added to the Repository
Climate change & human-wildlife conflict an analysis of climate crowd data
Climate Change
Research
As we experience intensifying environmental changes and resource scarcity, humans and
wildlife are altering their behaviors, leading to increased competition for food and water and
escalating human-wildlife conflict. The findings of this report highlight the
interconnectedness of human and...
More
SADC TFCA International Conference and Heads of State Summit May 2025 report
Meeting Report
Meeting Report
The first ever SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) Conference and Summit, held in Harare, Zimbabwe, from May 19-23, 2025, celebrated 25 years of regional cooperation under the theme "SADC TFCAs: 25 Years of Cooperation for Regional Integration and Sustainable Development,"...
More
SADC TFCA Value Study
Conservation
Strategy and guides
The overarching objective of the assignment and report was to demonstrate the value
that TFCAs provide to a multitude of beneficiaries. This is achieved by utilising an ecosystem service
assessment (ESA) framework which identifies the linkages between the ecological asset (the TFCA
estate),...
More
