ZTC 2 Genetic Conservation

The main reserve is located in both Sofala and Manica provinces, and it straddles 60 % in Tambara and 40% Chemba district. The northern limit of the block borders with Bango- Sabetha CDA, the eastern limit borders with Catuleni CDA, western limit borders with Bonga- Marimanau CDA and the southern limit borders Buzua-Gadzemba CDA. Magnitude wise, it is nearly 100 000 hectares, with a perimeter disctance of about 119 kilometers. Elevetion of the block fluctuates between 150 m to 250m above the sea level.
In ZTC2, one will find a lot of elephant mud pools, wet season tracks indicating that this is a real elephant corridor. If three boreholes can be drilled to replenish the water holes / mud pools, then the area will be able to keep in large elephant herds during the dry season. This block can also be used as an elephant catching area. Elephants can be easily funnel-driven into ZTC1 using a helicopter, without expensive darting operations.

Vegetation and Veld types

This block consists mainly of mopane/ combretum vegetation units. The north easterly boundary is mostly dominated by mopane thickets. The middle section is dominated by mountain acacias, pod mahogany and lead wood. The western boundary is dominated by mopane thickets and combretum. Grass species are like those in ZTC1, mainly of high grazing value and very palatable throughout the season. Just like ZTC1, all animal species would adapt well and reproduce.

ZTC 2 Conservation Model/ Plan

This block is ear marked for genetic breeding and conservation of both rare and valuable wildlife species. This includes among others, giant sable, black-faced impala and roan antelope, nyala, lord derby elands, Gravy Zebra, Reticulated giraffes and other rare species, mostly for future sales and rewilding. We endeavor to make ZTC2 the gene pool bank of the conservancy and region. No elephants will be introduced in this block, to promote propagation of baobabs, mahogany , Rhodesian teaks, tree ebony, etc. However the rest of animals will be introduced as long as no sub species of that particular species are there in. Since this niche is for conservation of rare and valuable species, lions are also not to be introduced, instead, leopards and Cheetah will be introduced as they only prey on small to medium antelopes.
Natural forestry conservation means that no plantations will be cultivated in the wildlife area, but we conserve indigenous trees from elephant destruction and hot veld fires. Lastly, by eliminating elephants, ZTC2 will be 100 000 hectares carbon sink ( biologic carbon sequestration) of natural forest and the Carbon Credits will be traded annually at relevant Carbon Markets, the proceeds thereof will be ploughed back into conservation. This will be covered in the 5-Year Management Plan of the reserve, after detailed surveys, Environmental Impact Assessments and other botany research have been carried out.
The sustainable carrying capacity for ZTC 2 is 5000 animals. Genetics can be exchanged among the blocks once in 10 years and can also be replenished from other natural wildlife reserves within Southern Africa. 25 boreholes coupled with waterholes are going to be drilled, meaning one borehole per every 4500 hectares. Furtherly, two earth dams shall be sited and constructed on streams with clean drainage, or less siltation.

Scientific Tourism

Scientific research on fauna and flora, veterinary research on corridor and zoonotic diseases, vectors such as tsetse fly and monitoring and controlling of livestock diseases in the CBZ. The veterinary research covers the whole ZTC and its surrounds to create disease free buffer zone (DFBZ). A world state of art wildlife research center, and 5 student camps shall be constructed in this block. Students from international and regional universities who are majoring in wildlife studies, natural sciences, geology, marine biology, forestry, wildlife & culture photography and videography, Animal veterinary ,community research and development, wildlife GIS and drone flights will all be enrolled for a two to four weeks hands on practical experience. This spectrum includes professionals (nurses & doctors) who are in medical fraternity too, interested in participating in wildlife veterinary experience.
This shall be covered separately in more details as a service

Voluntourism

Volunteers as Gap Year students, teachers, nurses, doctors, pensioners and general public who wants to voluntarily participate, work for charity in wildlife conservation and community development works will be booked for two four weeks. Teachers will be assisting in CDA schools, while doctors and nurses will be helping in CDA clinics and hospitals. Gap year students will participate in both wildlife conservation and community development works.
This shall be covered separately in more details as a service

Eco Tourism

Lodge Sites Identification Criteria

The lodge sites identification criteria is mainly based on accessibility from the existing backbone roads, underground water supply, camouflage, vantage view and topographical background landforms like hills, rock boulders and plains, with some sites surrounded by baobab trees. These factors create bush ambience for each lodge site, and each site has its own unique surroundings.
Each lodge site will have its own water hole in front of the lodge, replenished by a solar powered borehole. In total 20 luxury lodges will be sited and constructed in this habitat. The lodge sites shall be more on the periphery of the reserve for accessibility and creation of less developed wild nucleus. An Environmental Impact Assessment will be conducted on each lodge site to achieve our Touching the Earth Lightly Policy.

Community to be resettled

One community settlement at Urombwe mountain/ Crofiti in Sofala province, will need to be moved back to Chief Catuleni Buffer Zone. Resettlement details presented in section “Community Development Plan”.