The Zambezi Basin, which encompasses almost the whole country except for the northern half of the northern region, has received a major funding boost from Climate Investment Funds (CIF), which is co-ordinated by the African Development Bank and World Bank. A total of USD143-million has been earmarked to tackle climate resilience and sustainable development in the basin. It is projected that the initial investment will raise around USD1-billion in co-funding.

This money will be spent on projects that focus on:

  • Ecosystem restoration
  • Sustainable forest management
  • Job opportunities for villagers that depend on the Zambezi River for survival
  • Deforestation
  • Biodiversity loss
  • Human-wildlife conflict

In addition, a USD15-million DGM (dedicated grant mechanism) will be shared with similar communities in Kenya and Brazil.

In addition to supporting humid forests, savannahs and wetlands that in turn are home to thousands of species, the Zambezi Basin also provides electricity, fish and fresh water to many communities. It also supports the majority of national parks in Zambia such as West Lunga, Kafue, Mosi oa Tunya, Lower Zambezi, South Luangwa, Lusaka, North Luangwa, Luambe, Sioma Ngwezi, Liuwa Plain, Blue Lagoon, Lochinvar and Lukusuzi. Such funding is not only crucial for immediate environmental and community concerns but also to securing the future of eco-tourism and wildlife safaris.

WHERE TO STAY IN KAFUE

WHERE TO STAY AT MOSI-OA-TUNYA

WHERE TO STAY IN LOWER ZAMBEZI

WHERE TO STAY IN SOUTH LUANGWA

WHERE TO STAY IN NORTH LUANGWA

PHOTOS Potato Bushcamp, Kanyemba Lodge and Dulini Anabezi