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 the 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.
More
Become a member of the TFCA Network and join a vibrant community of like-minded professionals. Click here to join now!

Gallery

TFCA International Conference and Summit, Harare May 2025: Ndapanda Kanime, SADC Secretariat adresses delegates

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Visit a TransFrontier Conservation Area today

If you're interested in visiting one of the Transfrontier conservation areas, here are some great links to help you on your journey:
TOURISM in TFCAs  
TOURISM in KAZA  

News

Southern African Wildlife College Hosts a SADC TFCA Peer-to-Peer Learning Exchange in the Great Limpopo TFCA (GLTFCA)
Rorly Sherwen / 29 September 2025
The Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC), in partnership with the African Leadership University – School of Wildlife Conservation (ALU-SOWC), and African Wildlife Economy Institute (AWEI), Stellenbosch University hosted a Southern African Development Community (SADC) Transfrontier Conservation (TFCA) Area Peer-to-Peer Learning Exchange on Wildlife-Based Economy (WBE) and Livelihoods in the South Africa component of the GLTFCA from 31 August to 06 September 2025. Supported by the Joint Action NaturAfrica/Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management (C-NRM) Programme - a partnership programme between SADC,...

SADC TFCA Webinar: Disaster Risk Reduction and Natural Resources Governance
Rorly Sherwen / 24 September 2025
Dear SADC TFCA Network, We are hosting the first of many SADC TFCA Network Webinar on Disaster Risk Reduction and Natural Resources Governance! On the 25 September 2025 at 14:30-16:00 (CAT). This session will provide a platform for TFCAs and partners to share their disaster risk reduction experiences and interventions. As SADC region experiences increase in droughts, floods, wildfires, and zoonic diseases driven by climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and socio-economic vulnerabilities, the contribution of TFCA’s as bearers and gatekeepers in...

Boundless Southern Africa Showcases the Power of Cross-Border Tourism with the GLTFCA Adventure Trophy
Rorly Sherwen / 24 September 2025
Boundless Southern Africa, with support from the Joint Action NaturAfrica / Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management (C-NRM) Programme, a partnership between the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the European Union, and the German Government, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), celebrated the successful completion of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA) Adventure Trophy. Held from 30 August to 07 September 2025, the event spanned three partner states: Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. This pioneering adventure showcased the...

More news

Want to see your news here?

Click here to add your news to the TFCA website.

Visit a TransFrontier Conservation Area today

If you're interested in visiting one of the Transfrontier conservation areas, here are some great links to help you on your journey:
TOURISM in TFCAs  
TOURISM in KAZA  

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 the 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.
More
Become a member of the TFCA Network and join a vibrant community of like-minded professionals. Click here to join now!

News

Southern African Wildlife College Hosts a SADC TFCA Peer-to-Peer Learning Exchange in the Great Limpopo TFCA (GLTFCA)
Rorly Sherwen / 29 September 2025
The Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC), in partnership with the African Leadership University – School of Wildlife Conservation (ALU-SOWC), and African Wildlife Economy Institute (AWEI), Stellenbosch University hosted a Southern African Development Community (SADC) Transfrontier Conservation (TFCA) Area Peer-to-Peer Learning Exchange on Wildlife-Based Economy (WBE) and Livelihoods in the South Africa component of the GLTFCA from 31 August to 06 September 2025. Supported by the Joint Action NaturAfrica/Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management (C-NRM) Programme - a partnership programme between SADC,...

SADC TFCA Webinar: Disaster Risk Reduction and Natural Resources Governance
Rorly Sherwen / 24 September 2025
Dear SADC TFCA Network, We are hosting the first of many SADC TFCA Network Webinar on Disaster Risk Reduction and Natural Resources Governance! On the 25 September 2025 at 14:30-16:00 (CAT). This session will provide a platform for TFCAs and partners to share their disaster risk reduction experiences and interventions. As SADC region experiences increase in droughts, floods, wildfires, and zoonic diseases driven by climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and socio-economic vulnerabilities, the contribution of TFCA’s as bearers and gatekeepers in...

Boundless Southern Africa Showcases the Power of Cross-Border Tourism with the GLTFCA Adventure Trophy
Rorly Sherwen / 24 September 2025
Boundless Southern Africa, with support from the Joint Action NaturAfrica / Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management (C-NRM) Programme, a partnership between the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the European Union, and the German Government, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), celebrated the successful completion of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA) Adventure Trophy. Held from 30 August to 07 September 2025, the event spanned three partner states: Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. This pioneering adventure showcased the...

More news