Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park Facts for Kids

Sketch map of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park

The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park is a huge nature area that is still being created. It is a special "peace park" that covers about 35,000 square kilometers. This park connects several national parks and wildlife areas across three countries: Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

It links the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique, the famous Kruger National Park in South Africa, and the Gonarezhou National Park, Manjinji Pan Sanctuary, and Malipati Safari Area in Zimbabwe. It also includes other lands between these big parks.

History of the Park
Areas Included in the Park
Amazing Animals of the Park
Activities and Adventures
Images for kids
See also

History of the Park

The idea for this amazing park started a while ago. On November 10, 2000, leaders signed an agreement to create the park. It was first called the Gaza-Kruger-Gonarezhou Transfrontier Park.

In October 2001, its name was changed to the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. This new name better reflected the large area it would cover.

One of the main goals was to remove fences between the parks. This allows animals to move freely. They can follow their old migration routes, which were blocked before by country borders.

A big project started on October 4, 2001. About 40 elephants were moved from Kruger National Park. Kruger had too many elephants, while Limpopo National Park needed more after a war. The plan was to move 1,000 elephants over two and a half years.

A new border crossing, called Giriyondo Border Post, opened in March 2004. This makes it easier for people to travel between South Africa and Mozambique within the park. There are also plans to make the park even bigger, possibly reaching nearly 100,000 square kilometers!

Areas Included in the Park

The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park brings together many important wildlife areas. Here are some of the main parts:

Kruger National Park (South Africa): This is a very well-known park. It covers about 18,989 square kilometers. It also includes some private game farms that are part of the agreement.
Makuleke region (South Africa): This area is about 240 square kilometers.
Limpopo National Park (Mozambique): This park is about 10,000 square kilometers.
Banhine National Park (Mozambique): This park covers about 7,000 square kilometers.
Zinave National Park (Mozambique): This park is about 6,000 square kilometers.
Maputo Elephant Reserve (Mozambique): This reserve is about 700 square kilometers.
Gonarezhou National Park (Zimbabwe): This park covers about 5,053 square kilometers.
Manjinji Pan Sanctuary (Zimbabwe)
Malipati Safari Area (Zimbabwe)
Sengwe Safari Area (Zimbabwe)

Amazing Animals of the Park

The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park is home to many incredible animals. You can find a wide variety of wildlife here. Some of the large mammals include:

Elephants
White rhinos
Giraffes
Wildebeest
Leopards
Lions
Cheetahs
Mongooses
Spotted hyenas

Since 2005, this protected area has been recognized as an important place for lion conservation. This means it's a key area for protecting these big cats.

Activities and Adventures

The park offers many exciting activities for visitors who want to explore the wilderness.

Shingwedzi 4x4 Eco-Trail: This is a five-night, six-day adventure. You drive a 4x4 vehicle and need to be fully prepared to camp. It starts in Kruger National Park, crosses into Mozambique, and explores the Limpopo National Park, camping by pans and rivers.
Rio Elefantes Canoeing Trail: This is a three-day trip where you paddle down the Rio Elefantes (Olifants River). You camp in rustic bushcamps by the river. Guides and all meals are provided.
Palarangala Wilderness Trail: Spend three nights camping in a simple bushcamp. During the day, you explore the wild area. This area has many animals that have moved from Kruger National Park. It's guided and fully catered.
Lebombo Hiking Trail: This is a three-night, four-day hike through beautiful wilderness. You can see many birds and animals. You stay in rustic bushcamps, and it's fully guided and catered.
Elefantes Gorge Backpacking and Fishing Trail: This is a three-night, four-day guided trip. You hike across the Lebombo plateau, camp in the wild, and can fish for Tiger fish from the shores of Massingir Dam. This dam is an important breeding ground for Nile Crocodiles.