Gonarezhou Conservation Trust (GCT) has opened three new solar powered camps in Gonarezhou National Park (GRN), located in Zimbabwe’s Masvingo province: Masasani Mananga, Makonde Mananga and Mathuli Mananga.

The GCT is a new model for protected area management drawn up between the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the Frankfurt Zoological Society and is directly responsible for the management of Gonarezhou for a period of 20 years.

Each of the camps has a central kitchen or dining or boma area as well as four bedroom units that each accommodates two adults, either in a king size or twin split bed configuration.

GCT Business Development Manager, Simon Capon says the camp structures are built using traditional techniques of mud-brick walls, natural floors and are decorated with natural paints, all made by women from the surrounding community. The thatching grass is also purchased from a disadvantaged women’s group who harvest the grass inside of the park.

Gonarezhou is part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP), which also includes South Africa’s Kruger National Park and Mozambique’s Gaza National Park. GLTP is home to more than 500 species of birds, 147 species of mammals, at least 116 species of reptiles, 34 species of frogs and 49 species of fish.