The Mangetti National Park, situated 110 km south of Rundu in the Kavango West Region, officially opened its gates public on Friday.
The park, which covers an area of 420 square kilometres, was proclaimed a national park on September 15, 2008 with the aim of reducing rural poverty through conservation and tourism.
The most abundant animal species in the park are eland and blue wildebeest.
Environment and Tourism Minister Uahekua Herunga said since the proclamation of the park the ministry has been hard at work putting tourism infrastructure in place such as a reception centre and proper road network, while animals have been reintroduced to the park to boost the existing populations and attract tourists.
He said the park is special, as it is a pristine piece of nature and one of the best places in the world to enjoy a true wilderness experience.
The park has a typical savannah landscape, abundant biodiversity, a range of ecosystems, hosts a variety of large mammals such as elephant, eland, rhino, blue wildebeest, plain zebra, giraffe and the rare sable antelope.
“As such, the attraction of the Mangetti National Park to tourists is not questionable. Communities neighbouring the national park therefore have an opportunity to utilise these resources in a sustainable manner,” he said.
Poverty reduction
Herunga added that the park will contribute to the country’s fast-growing tourism sector, and is recognised as having considerable potential to contribute to poverty reduction and local and national economic development.
According to him, Mangetti joins other national parks in providing recreational and educational opportunities to Namibian and foreign visitors. Herunga announced that the Ministry of Environment and Tourism will soon start with the establishment of a tourist lodge in the park and the awarding of tourism concessions.
“Such establishment of a bush lodge will generate thousands of dollars for the local communities. All this is aimed at our wildlife conservation and reducing poverty among our communities, which our government is committed to address,” he said.
The minister announced that since the proclamation of the Mangetti National Park, an amount of N$1.1 million has been generated through trophy hunting in the park which went directly to neighbouring communities through the Ukwangali Traditional Authority and the Kavango Regional Council.
The park, which covers an area of 420 square kilometres, was proclaimed a national park on September 15, 2008 with the aim of reducing rural poverty through conservation and tourism.
The most abundant animal species in the park are eland and blue wildebeest.
Environment and Tourism Minister Uahekua Herunga said since the proclamation of the park the ministry has been hard at work putting tourism infrastructure in place such as a reception centre and proper road network, while animals have been reintroduced to the park to boost the existing populations and attract tourists.
He said the park is special, as it is a pristine piece of nature and one of the best places in the world to enjoy a true wilderness experience.
The park has a typical savannah landscape, abundant biodiversity, a range of ecosystems, hosts a variety of large mammals such as elephant, eland, rhino, blue wildebeest, plain zebra, giraffe and the rare sable antelope.
“As such, the attraction of the Mangetti National Park to tourists is not questionable. Communities neighbouring the national park therefore have an opportunity to utilise these resources in a sustainable manner,” he said.
Poverty reduction
Herunga added that the park will contribute to the country’s fast-growing tourism sector, and is recognised as having considerable potential to contribute to poverty reduction and local and national economic development.
According to him, Mangetti joins other national parks in providing recreational and educational opportunities to Namibian and foreign visitors. Herunga announced that the Ministry of Environment and Tourism will soon start with the establishment of a tourist lodge in the park and the awarding of tourism concessions.
“Such establishment of a bush lodge will generate thousands of dollars for the local communities. All this is aimed at our wildlife conservation and reducing poverty among our communities, which our government is committed to address,” he said.
The minister announced that since the proclamation of the Mangetti National Park, an amount of N$1.1 million has been generated through trophy hunting in the park which went directly to neighbouring communities through the Ukwangali Traditional Authority and the Kavango Regional Council.
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