Chimanimani National Park (Mozambique)

Chimanimani National Park
Parque Nacional de Chimanimani
IUCN category II (national park)[1]
The reserve includes Monte Binga, the highest point in Mozambique
Location of Chimanimani National Park in Mozambique
Coordinates	19°47′42″S 33°05′21″E
Area	656 km^2 (253 sq mi)
Designation	National park
Designated	2003 (national reserve), 2020 (national park)
Administrator	National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC)

Chimanimani National Park (Portuguese: Parque Nacional de Chimanimani) is a protected area next to Chimoio, capital of Manica Province in Mozambique. It is located in the Chimanimani Mountains on the border with Zimbabwe. Together with Zimbabwe's Chimanimani National Park, it forms the Chimanimani Transfrontier Park.[2] It was designated a national reserve in 2003. In 2020 it was designated a national park.[3]

Geography

With an area of 656 km^2,[1] the park protects the Mozambican portion of the Chimanimani Mountains, including Monte Binga (2,436 m), Mozambique's highest peak. The park has a larger buffer zone (1,723 km^2),[4] which extends into lower-elevation areas to the south, east, and north, and includes the Moribane, Mpunga, Maronga, and Zomba forest reserves. The Moribane, Mpunga, and Maronga forest reserves were established in 1953.[5]

Flora and fauna

The park contains rare species such as the Red-capped robin-chat and the Welwitsch's bat.[3]

Culture

The locals preserve the cave paintings, ancient traditions and beliefs, all of which give the park a cultural identity.

Access

The park can be reached from the city of Chimoio. The park has several road connections with the north, south and central parts of Mozambique, as well as with Zimbabwe.[6]

References

1. UNEP-WCMC (2022). Protected Area Profile for Chimanimani from the World Database of Protected Areas. Accessed 18 April 2022. [1]
2. Briggs, Philip (2014). Mozambique. Bradt Travel Guides. pp. 221–222. ISBN 978-1841624969.
3. Guyton, Jen (2021-05-03). "Mozambique Mints a New National Park — and Surveys Its Riches". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-05-08.
4. Hudson, A., Milliken, W., Timberlake, J. et al. Natural Plant Resources for Sustainable Development: Insights from Community Use in the Chimanimani Trans-Frontier Conservation Area, Mozambique. Hum Ecol 48, 55–67 (2020). [2]
5. Ghiurghi, Andrea & Dondeyne, S. & Bannerman, J. (2010). Chimanimani national reserve: management plan. 10.13140/2.1.1734.6240.
6. "Chimanimani – ANAC". www.anac.gov.mz. Retrieved 2020-09-28.

External links

Media related to Chimanimani National Reserve at Wikimedia Commons

Wikivoyage:Chimoio