National Parks

Mangetti is part of a new generation of parks aimed at reducing rural poverty through tourism development, joint management and benefit sharing with local communities. The park area was previously managed as a game camp for breeding rare and endangered species. The land was originally set aside for conservation by the Ukwangali Traditional Authority.

Location: about 100 km south-west of Rundu, just north of the veterinary fence

Vegetation: Tree and Shrub Savannah Biome. Vegetation type: North-Eastern Kalahari Woodlands. Vegetation on dune crests markedly different to that in dune valleys. Kalahari woodland vegetation dominates Mangetti’s dune crests, whereas mixed acacia savannah vegetation characterises the dune valleys. Mangetti tree (Schinziophyton rautanenii), silver terminalia (Terminalia sericea), variable combretum (Combretum collinum), Commiphora species, camel-thorn (Acacia erioloba) and black-thorn acacia (Acacia mellifera).

Wildlife: Sable antelope, African wild dog, leopard, hyaena, blue wildebeest, gemsbok, kudu, giraffe, duiker, steenbok, caracal, African wild cat. Occasional elephant and African wild dog. Lapped-faced vulture, bateleur, tawny eagle, Meyer’s parrot , striped kingfisher.

Tourism: Currently not open to tourists but overnight facilities are being developed.

Conservation successes

Before being proclaimed as a national park, Mangetti was managed as a game camp for breeding rare and endangered species such as black and white rhino. Although these animals are no longer present in the park, the park’s long-term conservation value is linked to reducing rural poverty by its inclusion in the Enhancing Wildlife-base Economy in Rural Areas (EWERAP Project). Game Translocations, development of park infrastructure and capacity building amongst the local communities will assist the conservation successes possible in the area and in Namibia as a whole.

Key management issues

Much work lies ahead to develop the new park. This includes developing park infrastructure such as fencing, water points, park entrance and tourist accommodation.

A Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the MET, Ukwangali Traditional Authority and Kavango Regional Council. Representatives of all three formed the Mangetti Management Committee (MMC), which advises the MET on managing the natural resources sustainably and sharing the income from the park.

Future plans

Participatory development of new park management and business plans and the development of a tourism concession for the benefit of local communities are priorities for this park.