Who We Are

Kasanka Trust is a not-for-profit conservation organisation based in Zambia, the UK and the Netherlands, which manages Kasanka National Park in Zambia’s Central Province.

The Trust’s main objectives are to secure the future of biodiversity within the Greater Kasanka Landscape and to stimulate, as well as sustain the local economy through its mission of “Tourism for Conservation”.

Kasanka Trust relies entirely on donor funding and income received through tourism to run and manage its projects.

Our Mission

Our mission is to become a reputable and well-funded organization which works harmoniously with strategic partners; has an effective and efficient governance system and develops, manages and sustainably achieves its vision.

Our vision

Kasanka National Park, Kafinda Game Management Area and adjacent open areas in the Chitambo Chiefdom are contributing to the viability of peripheral and downstream landscapes and their people through the sustained supply of ecosystem services from restored and secure biodiversity in an internationally renowned tourist destination.

Our history

  • 1985

    KASANKA DISCOVERED

    British expatriate David Lloyd and local farmer Gary Williams visit Kasanka and vow to develop and protect the park

  • 1987

    KASANKA TRUST IS ESTABLISHED

    The Kasanka Trust is registered in Zambia and then in the UK in 1989

  • 1990

    MANAGEMENT OF KASANKA PARK

    Department of National Parks and Wildlife Service hand over management of Kasanka National Park to Kasanka Trust

  • 2002

    FOUNDER AWARDED

    Kasanka founder David Lloyd awarded an OBE medal in the Queens Jubilee

  • 2003

    PARK MANAGEMENT CONTRACT IS EXTENDED

    ZAWA takes over from NPWS and grants exclusive park management rights to the Trust

  • 2010

    BBC FILMS THE BAT MIGRATION

    BBC film crew arrives at Kasanka to film the annual bat migration

  • 2011

    WORLD BANK PROVIDES FUNDING

    With help from the World Bank, Kasanka Trust is given funding to help restore Lavushi Manda National Park

  • 2019

    FFEM PROVIDES FUNDING

    Kasanka Trust secures 1,053,000.00 EUROS in donor funding from The French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM) to increase the sustainability of the Trust

achievements

  • Protection of wildlife and habitats resulting in significant population recovery
  • Network of roads, bridges and an airstrip
  • 2 tourist lodges, 1 tented camp and 2 campsites with growing occupancy & income
  • Conservation centre operating for community development, research and conservation education
  • A new health clinic founded, 5 schools rehabilitated, 43 pupils sponsored through secondary school

KASANKA NATIONAL PARKS' EXCEPTIONAL RESOURCE VALUES

Hosts a seasonal colony of about ten million straw-colored fruit bats, which forms possibly the largest mammal concentration known in the world, a significant part of the subequatorial population of this near-threatened species, and is a major attraction for tourism.

Has the second longest bird list of all NP’s and Important Bird Areas (IBA’s) in Zambia, which includes many threatened species and reflects its highly diverse and attractive habitats.

Holds important dense and very visible populations of the scarce and highly valued Sitatunga, offering the best Sitatunga viewing in Zambia and beyond, as well as the near-threatened Puku.

Protects a healthy and diverse complex of rivers, notably the Luwombwa, Kasanka, Musola, Mulembo and Mulaushi, and is of great importance for the ecological and socio-economic functioning of these watercourses.

Holds a unique small-scale diversity of intact habitats, often of great scenic beauty, including threatened habitats such as mushitu wet evergreen forest and mateshe dry evergreen forest, extensive peat swamps, and plains, which together host an enormous biodiversity.

the significance of kasanka national park

Holds one of the biggest wildlife spectacles in the world, being the seasonal colony of approximately ten million straw-colored fruit bats, possibly the largest known mammal concentration in the world; is one of Africa’s most diverse bird-watching areas and holds good populations of threatened and range-restricted species.

Offers attractive wildlife viewing, hosting possibly the most visible population of Sitatunga and densest population of Puku in Africa as well as a wide variety of other large mammals.

Is a very attractive destination for researchers, naturalists and other visitors, due to the high small-scale diversity of habitats, some of which are threatened, often of great scenic beauty, and holding an enormous biodiversity, in a very friendly environment.

Has great tourism potential with the spectacular bat migration aided by the ease of access by road and air, good infrastructure in the park and the proximity to Luangwa Valley, Bangweulu GMA and various other well-known tourism attractions.

Has the longest history of any NP in Zambia to be managed under a successful Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

Is completely surrounded (buffered) by a single GMA, and falls within one Chiefdom and one province.