Kasanka Trust Trust

Kasanka National Park is a beautiful wilderness of woodland, plains, lakes, rivers, swamps rich in Zambian wildlife. As well as its attraction for visitors it forms a valuable protected environment for many endangered species. The Bangweulu Wetlands, just north of Kasanka National Park, is one of Africa’s most spectacular wildlife secrets with over 100,000 Black Lechwe and the world’s most visible Shoebill storks.

Kasanka Trust runs Kasanka National Park through a team of around 90 staff, most of them locally employed. Kasanka Trust in Zambia, the UK and the Netherlands all operate with minimal administrative expenditure, relying on trustees and volunteers who give their time free. All money raised is spent directly on conservation and community development. The Trust offers great volunteering opportunities for research, conservation work and education in a real wilderness but with good supportive infrastructure.

Kasanka Trust operates two lodges and two campsites in Kasanka National Park, as well as Shoebill Island Camp in the adjacent Bangweulu Wetlands. Kasanka Trust arranges full tours to Kasanka National Park, the Bangweulu Wetlands, Shiwa Ng'andu, North and South Luangwa National Parks and beyond.

Legal Set-up
The Kasanka Trust in Zambia is incorporated as a non-profit charitable institution with tax exemption. The Zambian Kasanka Trust has responsibility for park management, community development, and tourism under the terms of the management agreement with the Zambian Government. The Kasanka Trusts in the UK and The Netherlands are registered charities, both with a board of trustees. They are primarily concerned with fund-raising for activities in Zambia. They also assist with expert advice and procurement of equipment.

History
In 1985, a British expatriate, David Lloyd, who had lived in Zambia on and off for many years, visited Kasanka National Park. There were no roads or bridges, but he was impressed with the beautiful habitat he found and decided to try and save the Park from complete destruction and the threat of losing its National Park status. Teaming up with a local farmer, Gary Williams, they formed the Kasanka Trust, which was registered in Zambia (1987) and in UK (1989). Since 1990, the Zambian Government has encouraged and supported the Kasanka Trust initiative, emphasising the importance of co-operation with the local community which has always been central to the Trust’s philosophy. After the first agreement in 1990, the Zambia Wildlife Authority signed a second agreement with Kasanka Trust in May 2002 allowing the Trust to manage the Park and develop tourism to help fund its activities. In June 2002 David Lloyd was awarded an OBE in the UK for his vision and determination in seeing the Kasanka Trust project through to where it is today.

Aims and Objectives
The ultimate goals of Kasanka Trust are to secure the future of biodiversity in Kasanka National Park, funded through tourism revenue and to sustain, as well as stimulate, the local economy through improved natural resource management. The Trust is keen to expand its area of influence, specifically to assist in the management of the Bangweulu Wetlands and Lavushi Manda National Park.

Community Tourism
Open Africa, which supports community tourism, recently launched a new route for independent travellers interested in traditional culture and nature, to be promoted and maintained by community stakeholders. The Nsobe Sitatunga Experience 'Where The Water Meets The Sky' covers Kasanka National Park, Bangweulu Wetlands, Nakapalayo and other destinations in Northern Zambia. Kasanka Trust actively seeks support from the local community to secure the long term future of Kasanka National Park. By using education as a basic tool, Kasanka Trust is seeking to increase the community’s awareness of conservation and promote economic development. With the support of the Zambian Ministry of Education, Kasanka Trust has set up a project to aid education in Kafinda Game Management Area. The project is funded by external donations. Kasanka Trust has also sponsored 50 pupils through secondary school and nine teachers for the Community Schools. They have rehabilitated the classroom blocks and teachers’ houses of three local Government Schools. The Education Project continues to expand, sponsoring a growing number of students and introducing a number of new conservation education initiatives.

Support
The World Bank's Global Environment Fund provided a grant for a  feasibility study of the expansion of Kasanka Trust Management to Lavushi Manda National Park. Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund helped Kasanka Trust to improve the protection of the bat forest and promote awareness of the importance of Kasanka’s bat roost through their education program. Tusk Trust provided valuable core funding for Kasanka's conservation activities. They also sponsored the solar system for their headquarters. Holly Hill Trust has been a long term sponsor supporting the Kasanka education project. There has been a lot of other support from many other donors. Corporate Sponsors are eligible for a tax reduction in Zambia. Other benefits for corporate sponsors include increased exposure, discounted rates, offset the companies contribution to climate change and pollution, an environmentally friendly and socially responsible image. The Kasanka Trust is keen to hear of any ideas for corporate sponsorship or funding of their conservation and community development activities.