2025 signifies 39 years of protecting an iconic wilderness – North Luangwa. This achievement is a testament to the collaboration between Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) and the Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW).
North Luangwa National Park together with its three adjoining game management areas, comprises the North Luangwa Landscape: a 30,000km² rural human and wildlife conservation ecosystem, which boasts breathtaking topography and serves as a haven for iconic species. The ecosystem is of international conservation importance, being the only area in Zambia with a full historical species complement and incorporates the Muchinga escarpment within the Park. It is home to Zambia’s largest, most densely populated, and fastest growing African elephant population (vulnerable); its only population of black rhino (critically endangered); one of Africa’s last ten strongholds of African lions (vulnerable); represents resident range for African wild dogs (endangered); and supports significant populations of African buffalo, hippopotamus (vulnerable), and leopard (vulnerable); as well as home to the endemic subspecies Cookson’s wildebeest.
Over the past years, there has been significant progress in advancing the environmental and social action plan (ESAP) measures and enhancing provisions for environmental and social safeguards in the North Luangwa landscape. As of July 2025, 64% of foreseen ESAP measures have been implemented, 25% are well underway and 11% have been put on hold due to their limited feasibility.
Linking livelihood and landscapes
Conservation efforts expand beyond the boundaries of the national park supported by various community engagement and livelihood initiatives developed and regulated by various governance and system strengthening policies. The below list shows the three core activities conducted by the NLCP landscape integration unit:
- Community resource board governance
- Human wildlife coexistence
- Village land use planning
Governance and system strengthening
2024 yielded the completion of the socio-economic impact assessment report (SEI) which has been vital in guiding strategic planning. Further to this a stakeholder engagement plan (SEP) and communication implementation plan (CIP) has been developed and operational. Grievance redress mechanisms (GRM) were rolled out across the chiefdoms with feedback boxes and standard operating procedures (SOP). A review of the village land use planning conducted a few years ago, was recently done in one of the chiefdoms.
Education and empowerment
During 2024, the Lolesha Luangwa conservation education programme reached 31 school clubs, 16 adult mini change groups (approximately 1000 school members and 360 adults trained) and gender mainstreaming saw the launch of girls clubs with the support of the traditional leaders. Further to this approximately 220 village action group members and 100 health workers were trained in gender and anti-gender-based violence.
Infrastructure and development
Over the past year 35 ranger houses were built, along with shared project offices, canine unit kennels, a new workshop and store facility as well as an aeroplane hangar. Solar energy has been integrated across all new infrastructure supporting low-emission energy consumption.
Conservation and protection
North Luangwa is proud to maintain a zero poaching rate of black rhino and elephants within the national park. The North Luangwa Management Ltd (NLMC) established (2023) serves a special purpose vehicle for a 20-year conservation partnership with DNPW. Further to this NLNP received its IUCN Green List certification, making it only one of six sites in Africa and the first in Zambia.