The savanna of southern Africa is the archetype: acacia and mopane, baobab and grass, and the largest remaining populations of elephant on the continent moving across it. The Okavango is its strangest feature, a river that flows inland and dies in the Kalahari, spreading each year into a vast delta of channel and island and flooded plain that draws wildlife from a parched country in extraordinary concentration.
These are landscapes where conservation and land rights and tourism are tangled together inseparably. The transfrontier parks, stitching protected areas across national borders so that elephants can follow routes older than the borders themselves, are among the most ambitious conservation projects anywhere. Poaching, particularly of rhino, has been an armed conflict rather than a policing problem.
The organizations here protect the migration routes and water sources, work on human-wildlife conflict in communities that live alongside dangerous animals, and defend the Okavango’s headwaters in the Angolan highlands, which lie far away and determine everything. Cut the water there and the delta simply stops.
Environmental Organizations in This Bioregion
28 organizations working across this landscape.
Action for Environmental Sustainability (AfES)
An environmental organization working to address environmental issues and poverty in Malawi, Southern Africa.
African Pangolin Working Group
South Africa's only mandated pangolin conservation organisatioin
Baobab Foundation
Our mission is to promote and support of environmental education, conservation of baobab trees and ecological research of baobab trees in Africa. Through these progr...
Communities Against Pollution NPC
To provide local real time democratized ambient air quality for the benefit of all. With increased public awareness and support we will lobby for stricter laws and c...
Elephants for Africa
Elephants for Africa is a charity that is committed to protecting the endangered African elephant through research and education.
Endangered Wildlife Trust
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has worked tirelessly since 1973 to save wildlife and habitats, with our vision being a world in which both humans and wildlif...
Ferncliffe forest wilding
To restore and protect Ferncliffe Forest and all its biodiversity, for the planet and its people.
FreeMe Wildlife
To rehabilitate and release indigenous wildlife back into a natural habitat, whilst maintaining the highest ethical standards and furthering conservation by playing ...
Indlovu Aerial Trust
I.A.T. Balancing technology, community and conservation
Legado
Legado works alongside Indigenous and local communities in ecologically important regions as they design and implement solutions of their choosing.
Lessons in Conservation
Lessons in Conservation (LiC) provides interactive conservation education lessons to learners from underserved communities.
Oceans Alive Conservation Trust (NPO) (PBO)
Oceans Alive Conservation Trust is a registered non-profit, global conservation and public benefit organization dedicated to saving and protecting our oceans and our...
One Planet Cafe Zambia
Painted Dog Conservation
Painted dogs are one of the most endangered species in the whole of Africa.
Rangelands Restoration Trust
Restoring rangelands to health in southern Zimbabwe through holistic livestock management to develop a wildlife conservancy in partnership with local community.
Rehabitate Wildlife Fund NPC
Rehabitate Wildlife Fund NPC is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with terrestrial ecosystems. Based in Hluhluwe, South Africa, it is included ...
Saving Marion Island's Seabirds: The Mouse-Free Marion Project
The MFM Project will revive Marion Island’s globally important seabird populations and ecosystem by eradicating invasive mice, facilitating ecological recovery.
The Litterboom Project
Empowering communities and protecting the environment by fighting plastic pollution at the source through Interception, Innovation and Education.
The Pondoland Conservation Trust
The Pondoland Conservation Trust (PCT) exists to protect one of South Africa’s last untouched coastlines while creating lasting, positive change for the communities ...
The Rallying Cry
The Rallying Cry bridges the gap between capital providers and African women-led businesses by providing advisory and capacity-building support, convening and conne...
The Zululand Conservation Trust
The Zululand Conservation Trust (ZCT) has been growing and expanding its reach in the Zululand region for over a decade. Our mission is a commitment to enhancing the...
Tingathe Development Forum(TIDEF)
MISSION We exist to promote sustainable community development initiatives through biodiversity conservation, livelihood support, water and sanitation and building ...
Wilderness Leadership School Trust
Reconnecting people to wilderness to growing leaders, protect biodiversity, and strengthen communities or over 60 years
Wilderness Trust
The Wilderness Trust exists to protect Africa’s wildlife, empower its communities, and safeguard its wild places for generations to come. Through independent action ...
WILDTRUST
Zimconserve
ZimConserve trains farmers in mushroom cultivation, fish ponds, and permaculture for sustainable food security in Zimbabwe