Over 150 years ago, the King of Barotseland, Lubosi Lewanika, laid the foundation for the conservation of Liuwa Plain National Park in Zambia, embedding its significance in Lozi culture. Today, Liuwa is home to some 12,000 people who live within the park’s boundaries in coexistence with wildlife.
Over the past 20 years, strong partnerships, community collaboration, and dedicated conservation efforts have driven the park’s restoration so that people and wildlife can continue coexisting in this shared landscape for generations to come. In 2003, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) partnered with African Parks to help manage Liuwa Plain. Since then, much work has been done to support efforts in restoring the landscape. Lion numbers have rebounded from just one lioness – the legendary “Lady Liuwa” – to a healthy population regularly producing cubs. The wildebeest migration remains the second largest in Africa, and hyaena, cheetah, and wild dog are thriving.
Alongside this ecological recovery, community livelihoods have been enhanced through sustainable enterprises, agriculture, and education. Land-use plans and sustainable resource projects have been implemented to balance conservation and community development. Traditional fishing practices are supported and regulated to ensure lasting fish stocks, while beekeeping projects provide alternative incomes. Education, employment, tourism revenue, and other economic initiatives now benefit thousands of community members each year.
