Mozambique has proclaimed the new Maputo National Park
Mozambique’s Council for Ministers issued a decree on 07 December 2021 to formally merge the terrestrial and marine ecosystems of Maputo Special Reserve and Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve into one conservation area — the new Maputo National Park.
The proclamation of the 1 700 km² National Park follows two decades of intensive development and restoration activities led by Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC) and the Peace Parks Foundation.
A core focus for Maputo National Park is the development of tourism infrastructure with the aim of generating sufficient revenue for the National Park to sustain itself. Three lodges, a network of exclusive camping sites and 4×4 trails are set to be fully operational by the end of 2022.
As a main tourism attraction in southern Mozambique, Maputo National Park is set to contribute significantly to economic prospects of the region, its people and the protection of its natural heritage.
The Maputo National Park falls within the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Biodiversity Hotspot, one of 36 hotspots that are regarded as being amongst the most biologically diverse and endangered ecoregions on earth.
