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SOUTH AFRICA HOSTS SADC TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AREAS NETWORK MEETING IN KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
10 November 2026
9 NOVEMBER 2026
South Africa will host the 2026 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Transfrontier
Conservation Areas (TFCA) Annual Network Meeting from 10 - 12 November 2026 at the Nombolo Mdhluli Conference Centre in Skukuza Rest Camp, within the Kruger National Park.
The meeting is held under the theme, “Investing in People, Nature and Partnerships: Scaling Impact Across SADC TFCAs”, the meeting will bring together representatives from SADC Member States, TFCA
management structures, regional and international conservation partners, civil society organisations and local community representatives to strengthen regional collaboration in the management and sustainable development of Transfrontier conservation areas.
South Africa's hosting of the meeting reflects its continued commitment to advancing regional cooperation in biodiversity conservation and strengthening partnerships that promote ecological connectivity, sustainable livelihoods and inclusive economic opportunities across shared conservation landscapes.
South Africa will host the 2026 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Transfrontier
Conservation Areas (TFCA) Annual Network Meeting from 10 - 12 November 2026 at the Nombolo Mdhluli Conference Centre in Skukuza Rest Camp, within the Kruger National Park.
The meeting is held under the theme, “Investing in People, Nature and Partnerships: Scaling Impact Across SADC TFCAs”, the meeting will bring together representatives from SADC Member States, TFCA
management structures, regional and international conservation partners, civil society organisations and local community representatives to strengthen regional collaboration in the management and sustainable development of Transfrontier conservation areas.
South Africa's hosting of the meeting reflects its continued commitment to advancing regional cooperation in biodiversity conservation and strengthening partnerships that promote ecological connectivity, sustainable livelihoods and inclusive economic opportunities across shared conservation landscapes.
The 2026 meeting comes at an important milestone in the implementation of the revised SADC TFCA Programme (2023–2033) and the SADC Law Enforcement and Anti-Poaching (LEAP) Strategy (2022– 2032). Discussions will focus on progress in implementing the regional programme, mobilising sustainable financing models for conservation, strengthening cooperation against wildlife crime, promoting community participation and benefit-sharing, and improving the management of shared ecosystems and natural resources which will lead to positive conservation outcomes.
Hosting the meeting in Skukuza, within the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area, provides an opportunity to showcase practical examples of transboundary conservation and the contribution of protected landscapes to regional development.
As part of the programme, delegates will participate in field visits showcasing initiatives linked to the wildlife-based economy, including the Bushbuck Tannery community enterprise and the SANParks Game Processing Plant. These initiatives demonstrate opportunities to connect biodiversity conservation with enterprise development, skills transfer, community beneficiation and sustainable use of wildlife resources.
The meeting will also see the launch of the Law Enforcement and Anti-Poaching (LEAP) project in the SADC region, supported by the German Government. The initiative seeks to strengthen regional cooperation in addressing wildlife crime, recognising that effective law enforcement requires coordinated responses across national borders.
The outcomes of the meeting are expected to inform regional priorities and strengthen collective action towards the effective implementation of the SADC TFCA Programme, with recommendations and commitments to be presented to the SADC TFCA Steering Committee.
Through its hosting of this regional gathering, South Africa reaffirms the importance of collaborative approaches to conserving biodiversity, supporting communities and ensuring that transfrontier conservation areas contribute meaningfully to sustainable development across the SADC region and these will go a long way in strengthening regional cooperation
Hosting the meeting in Skukuza, within the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area, provides an opportunity to showcase practical examples of transboundary conservation and the contribution of protected landscapes to regional development.
As part of the programme, delegates will participate in field visits showcasing initiatives linked to the wildlife-based economy, including the Bushbuck Tannery community enterprise and the SANParks Game Processing Plant. These initiatives demonstrate opportunities to connect biodiversity conservation with enterprise development, skills transfer, community beneficiation and sustainable use of wildlife resources.
The meeting will also see the launch of the Law Enforcement and Anti-Poaching (LEAP) project in the SADC region, supported by the German Government. The initiative seeks to strengthen regional cooperation in addressing wildlife crime, recognising that effective law enforcement requires coordinated responses across national borders.
The outcomes of the meeting are expected to inform regional priorities and strengthen collective action towards the effective implementation of the SADC TFCA Programme, with recommendations and commitments to be presented to the SADC TFCA Steering Committee.
Through its hosting of this regional gathering, South Africa reaffirms the importance of collaborative approaches to conserving biodiversity, supporting communities and ensuring that transfrontier conservation areas contribute meaningfully to sustainable development across the SADC region and these will go a long way in strengthening regional cooperation
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