Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, Transboundary protected area in South Africa and Mozambique
The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park is a cross-border protected area that connects national parks in South Africa and Mozambique through open savannas, grasslands, and forest zones. The landscape varies in elevation and water sources, creating different habitats for wildlife and vegetation across its expanse.
The protected area was established in the early 2000s through an international agreement between South Africa and Mozambique that allowed cooperation on cross-border conservation. The joining of previously separate reserves created a new framework for managing and protecting this region.
The park's core areas keep their own names: Limpopo National Park in Mozambique was formerly Coutada 16, a hunting concession, and the Makuleke region of South Africa covers about 240 km². The Machampane Wilderness Camp, a ten-bed tented camp on the Machampane River, runs walking safaris, and guided trails such as the Lebombo hiking trail cross the bush on foot.
The park can be accessed through multiple entry points in both countries, with lodging ranging from basic camping to established lodges. Visit during dry seasons for easier wildlife watching, or during rainy seasons for lush vegetation and more bird activity.
The park links three countries, not two: Kruger in South Africa, Limpopo in Mozambique and Gonarezhou in Zimbabwe, plus the Makuleke region and several Zimbabwean safari areas. The Giriyondo border post between South Africa and Mozambique opened in March 2004 to serve it. Plans would enlarge the whole area to 99,800 km².
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