Nata Conservancy
BOTSWANA
Nata Conservancy lies within the Kavango Zambezi Transfronteir Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) in Northeastern Botswana. Strategically located between the Okavango Delta in the West, Hwange National Park to the East, Chobe National Park to the North, and the Makadikadi Pans World Heritage Site to the South, this 13,000 hectare wilderness represents an important habitat for some of Africa’s last remaining mega-herds of elephant and other wildlife.
Habits comprise a mix of open woodlands dotted with giant flat topped acacias and grassy plains. Elephant, buffalo and other big game are common, especially during the rainy season when the pans fill with water. The area is also home to desert specialists such as springbok and gemsbok.
Although the landscape is stunning in its own right, the true gem of Nata Conservancy lies underground in the fact that it overlies an aquafer; a hidden jewel in the Kalahari sands that when pumped, acts as a lifesaving waterhole for literally thousands of animals from miles around.
Because direct human pressures and impacts in this remote landscape are few, PFWs direct interventions are minimal, and focused mainly on baseline ecological monitoring.
The goal is to initiate a multi-stakeholder partnership with neighboring communities, with the aim of creating a more ambitious regional conservation management and development initiative that covers an area in excess of 5000km2.
At this scale, the foundations of functional wildlife economy become more viable, and the future ecological integrity of the area can be ensured whilst maximizing sustainable development potential for the local communities.
