Pilot project
Chewore South
Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe
Pilot project
Chewore South, Safari Area
Zambezi Valley Zimbabwe
At the heart of our work is a pilot project in Zimbabwe – the Chewore Conservation Trust (CCT). The CCT was established to hold a 25-year lease and formal collaborative mandate for Chewore South, a 202,000-hectare protected area within the Zambezi Valley and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site of exceptional ecological value.
At the heart of our work is a pilot project in Zimbabwe – the Chewore Conservation Trust (CCT). The CCT was established to hold a 25-year lease and formal collaborative mandate for Chewore South, a 202,000-hectare protected area within the Zambezi Valley and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site of exceptional ecological value.
Chewore South is not only a precious wilderness area
It is also one of Zimbabwe’s first pilot sites for a bold new model of landscape-wide biodiversity conservation.
Historically managed as a trophy hunting concession, the area is now being protected through a long-term partnership between CCT and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA).
This collaboration creates a rare opportunity to test emerging nature finance tools in a biodiverse, politically supported, and logistically viable setting – making Chewore South a living laboratory for scalable, ground-tested conservation solutions.
Chewore South is not only a precious wilderness area
It is also one of Zimbabwe’s first pilot sites for a bold new model of landscape-wide biodiversity conservation.
Historically managed as a trophy hunting concession, the area is now being protected through a long-term partnership between CCT and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA).
This collaboration creates a rare opportunity to test emerging nature finance tools in a biodiverse, politically supported, and logistically viable setting – making Chewore South a living laboratory for scalable, ground-tested conservation solutions.
The Project Site
Chewore South is a landscape rich in natural wonders, from rugged escarpments and riverine forests to perfectly preserved dinosaur footprints. It is also a critical refuge for endangered species – including the Zambezi Valley’s last viable roan antelope population.
202,000-hectare pristine wilderness area, and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site
25-year lease and collaborative management agreement with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority
A refuge for endangered species – including the Zambezi Valley’s last viable roan antelope population
Mandate and Impact
Assisting local communities
CCT is working closely in partnership with local communities to provide safe water, reduce wildlife conflict and other livelihood improvements. Human-wildlife conflict mitigation is a primary focus area, and we are working to ensure these communities benefit optimally from their natural resources.
Introducing sustainable tourism
Zimbabwe’s protected areas have largely relied on tourism activities - particularly hunting, to fund conservation. CCT aims to transition away from trophy hunting by developing sustainable, alternative tourism activities that generate revenue, create jobs, and support long-term conservation efforts.
Protecting Wildlife & Restoring Habitats
Our on-the-ground team is working to combat illegal mining, deforestation, poaching, and wildfires to protect Chewore South. We are assisting the local authority by increasing boots on the ground (particularly field rangers), as well as improving equipment for deployment and aerial surveillance.
Driving Research & Innovation
Our ecology team is conducting comprehensive biodiversity monitoring in Chewore South to assess ecosystem health and track the effectiveness of conservation strategies. This research paves the way for Biodiversity credits and additional outcome-based funding solutions.
Optimise Management & Infrastructure
In January 2025, work kicked off to upgrade the Mkanga ZimParks station and its facilities. By upgrading housing, water systems, and communication networks, we’re building a stronger base for conservation action across the concession. This is a crucial step toward empowering our rangers on the ground.
Re-introduction of Rhino
Once home to the highest rhino populations in the Zambezi region, black rhinos have been absent since 1994. Our project’s long-term ambition is to create optimal conditions to maintain a safe and secure environment for the reintroduction of black rhino.
Assisting local communities
CCT is working closely in partnership with local communities to provide safe water, reduce wildlife conflict and other livelihood improvements. Human-wildlife conflict mitigation is a primary focus area, and we are working to ensure these communities benefit optimally from their natural resources.
Optimise Management & Infrastructure
In January 2025, work kicked off to upgrade the Mkanga ZimParks station and its facilities. By upgrading housing, water systems, and communication networks, we’re building a stronger base for conservation action across the concession. This is a crucial step toward empowering our rangers on the ground.
Driving Research & Innovation
Our ecology team is conducting comprehensive biodiversity monitoring in Chewore South to assess ecosystem health and track the effectiveness of conservation strategies. This research paves the way for Biodiversity credits and additional outcome-based funding solutions.
Protecting Wildlife & Restoring Habitats
Our on-the-ground team is working to combat illegal mining, deforestation, poaching, and wildfires to stabilise and protect Chewore South. We are assisting the local authority by increasing manpower, particularly field rangers, as well as improving equipment for deployment and aerial surveillance.
Introducing sustainable tourism
Zimbabwe’s protected areas have largely relied on tourism activities - particularly hunting, to fund conservation. CCT aims to transition away from trophy hunting by developing sustainable tourism, including alternative tourism activities that generate revenue, create jobs, and support long-term conservation efforts.
Re-introduction of Rhino
Once home to the highest rhino populations in the Zambezi region, black rhinos have been absent since 1994. Our project’s long-term ambition is to create optimal conditions to maintain a safe and secure environment for the reintroduction of black rhino.
Chewore South is now under active collaborative management by a permanent team based in the field.
After kicking off in January 2025, work is well underway to address key threats including habitat loss, illegal mining, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict, alongside the restoration of critical infrastructure.
Our passionate team is collaborating closely with Zimparks and is focused on building operational capacity while ensuring strong foundations for long-term restoration, and community engagement.
African Parks Incubation Partner
The CCT is an Incubation Partner of African Parks, which brings two decades of experience in managing protected areas across Africa. Their operational and technical support helps ensure high standards of conservation, governance, and community engagement in Chewore South.
African Parks launched an ‘Incubation Programme’ in 2018 with the goal of having 15 additional protected areas managed by select partners, spanning a further 10 million hectares by 2030. The programme aims to help scale impact, and invests in practitioners who share in their ambition of effectively managing protected areas through long term-management agreements.
Chewore South is now under active collaborative management by a permanent team based in the field.
After kicking off in January 2025, work is well underway to address key threats including habitat loss, illegal mining, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict, alongside the restoration of critical infrastructure.
Our passionate team is collaborating closely with Zimparks and is focused on building operational capacity while ensuring strong foundations for long-term restoration, and community engagement.
African Parks Incubation Partner
The CCT is an Incubation Partner of African Parks, which brings two decades of experience in managing protected areas across Africa. Their operational and technical support helps ensure high standards of conservation, governance, and community engagement in Chewore South.
African Parks launched an ‘Incubation Programme’ in 2018 with the goal of having 15 additional protected areas managed by select partners, spanning a further 10 million hectares by 2030. The programme aims to help scale impact, and invests in practitioners who share in their ambition of effectively managing protected areas through long term-management agreements.
Partners on the ground
The Zimbabwean Parks and Wildlife Management Authority is the national body responsible for managing Zimbabwe’s protected areas. Their leadership ensures alignment with national conservation priorities and long-term sustainability.
African Parks brings two decades of experience in managing protected areas across Africa. Their operational and technical support helps ensure high standards of conservation, governance, and community engagement in Chewore South.
The Zimbabwean Parks and Wildlife Management Authority is the national body responsible for managing Zimbabwe’s protected areas. Their leadership ensures alignment with national conservation priorities and long-term sustainability.
African Parks brings two decades of experience in managing protected areas across Africa. Their operational and technical support helps ensure high standards of conservation, governance, and community engagement in Chewore South.
Our needs moving forward
Chewore South is a long-term conservation initiative with a strong foundation already in place.
We are seeking support to advance work on black rhino reintroduction planning, anti-poaching operations, community engagement, biodiversity monitoring, and infrastructure upgrades.
If you’re excited by this vision and want to be part of it, we’d love to hear from you.
Our needs moving forward
Chewore South is a long-term conservation initiative with a strong foundation already in place.
We are seeking support to advance work on black rhino reintroduction planning, anti-poaching operations, community engagement, biodiversity monitoring, and infrastructure upgrades.
If you’re excited by this vision and want to be part of it, we’d love to hear from you.
