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IUCN Management Category VIII (Multiple Use Management Area)

Biogeographical Province 3.08.04 (South African Woodland/savanna)

Geographical Location North-west Zimbabwe on the border with Botswana and Zambia. 18°30'S, 25°35'E.

Date and History of Establishment Land acquired in 1973; Safari Area proclaimed under Parks and Wildlife Act in 1975

Area 292,000ha (will reduce as portions are incorporated in existing contiguous national parks). Contiguous to Zambezi NP (56,400ha), Kazuma Pan NP (31,300ha), Hwange NP (1,465,100ha), Victoria Falls NP (1,900ha) and Deka SA.

Land Tenure Government

Altitude 1,000m

Physical Features The area occupies the almost imperceptible watershed separating the Zambezi and the inland drainages of the great Makgadikgadi salt pans in Botswana. It is the source of several rivers including the Matetsi, Gwai and Deka. Karoo basalt lithosols cover about 75%, which is well watered with perennial streams and rivers. The remaining area is overlain with Kalahari sands. On one side is a 30km stretch of the Zambezi River.

Climate No information

Vegetation Zambezian dry deciduous forest with Baikiaea plurijuga predominant on the deep sands. The basalts provide a complex of vegetative communities including mopane Colophospermum mopane woodland, scrub communities, and open grassland on the self-churning clays of the vleis.

Fauna The rich, diverse fauna includes large mammals similar to those found in Zambezi National Park such as: lion Panthera leo, leopard P. pardus (T), zebra Equus burchelli, buffalo Syncerus caffer, greater kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros, bushbuck T. scriptus, impala Aepyceros melampus, waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus, klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus, reedbuck Redunca redunca, and warthog Phacochoerus aethiopicus. The area is renowned for sable antelope Hippotragus niger.

Cultural Heritage No information

Local Human Population No information

Visitors and Visitor Facilities Facilities include lodges and game viewing walks. Access is by road or rail and there is an airstrip.

Scientific Research and Facilities The area is part of the Victoria Falls/Matetsi protected area complex for research and monitoring purposes. Research in Matetsi Safari Area is mainly directed towards the provision of sustainable and economically justifiable hunting.

Laboratories at Isidumuka at the Safari Area headquarters

Conservation Value No information

Conservation Management Fully protected, but controlled recreational hunting is permitted pending the transfer of some portions to contiguous national parks. Those areas remaining will persist as Safari Area.

The Safari Area is divided into seven concession areas offering high quality recreational hunting. It also contains a Development Area at Isidumuka and a Wildlife Resort (6ha).

There is a policy document for the Victoria Falls and Matetsi complex.

Management Constraints Police and border posts at Kazangula and Pandamatenga on the Botswana border are served by roads running through the Safari Area. Recreational hunting under the control of the Parks Department is permitted.

Staff The warden based at Isidumuka, with two rangers and a complement of scouts and junior staff

Budget No information

Local Addresses

PO Box 160, Victoria Falls.

References

Numerous departmental reports detailing the resource and plans for the development and management of the area and including population estimates.

Date 1983

For further information contact: Information Office, WCMC, 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0DL, UK Information enquiries Tel: +44 (0)1223 277722 Main switchboard Tel: +44 (0)1223 277314 Fax: +44 (0)1223 277136 Email: info@wcmc.org.uk Document URL: http:// www.wcmc.org.uk /protected_areas/data/sample/0348p.htm Revision date: 11-December-2000 | Current date: 14-December-2000				Latest News from WCMC
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