Department of National Parks & Wildlife

What Department of National Parks & Wildlife does

The Department of National Parks & Wildlife (DNPW) is a government department under Zambia's Ministry of Tourism, operating as the sole statutory authority for wildlife conservation and protected area management under the Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015. It manages 20 National Parks covering approximately 63,632 square kilometers (about 8.5% of Zambia's land area), 36 Game Management Areas, two Wildlife Sanctuaries, and one Bird Sanctuary, supported by a headquarters in Chilanga and nine regional offices across Zambia. DNPW holds CITES Category 1 status, reflecting compliance with international wildlife trade regulations, and has formalized seven General Management Plans covering key protected areas.

DNPW's core services split into three categories: conservation operations (anti-poaching, wildlife translocation, community engagement), regulatory licensing (hunting licenses, wildlife product permits, tour guide licensing, park entry permits, game meat trading permits), and protected area management (national parks, GMAs, sanctuaries). These services are delivered through a distributed network of regional offices and a digitized e-services portal integrated with the government's Zampotal (eservices.gov.zm) platform, supplemented by downloadable PDF application forms. Major capital programs such as the TRALARD Project are actively upgrading infrastructure at Lusenga Plains and Lavushi Manda National Parks.

DNPW generates revenue through licensing royalties (hunting concessions, tourism and hospitality licensing) and transaction fees (park entry permits), while the bulk of its operational funding comes from Ministry of Tourism budgetary allocations, which grew from approximately K304 million in 2021 to over K1.2 billion in 2025. The department operates through collaborative management partnerships with organizations such as African Parks (US$34 million invested in Kafue National Park), IUCN, WWF, the International Crane Foundation, and the KAZA TFCA transfrontier framework. Jones Masonde currently serves as Acting Director.

Name

Department of National Parks & Wildlife

Legal name

Department of National Parks and Wildlife

Website

https://mot.gov.zm

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Department of National Parks & Wildlife is a Zambian government department under the Ministry of Tourism that manages 20 National Parks, 36 Game Management Areas, and related sanctuaries, providing wildlife conservation, anti-poaching operations, and regulatory licensing services to tourism operators, hunting businesses, and local communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation & Protected Area Management

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration (BPAIAMAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH), Safari Parks & Drive-Through Wildlife Parks (THAAAFAD), Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation services
• Protected area management
• National parks administration
• Wildlife licensing permits
• Ecotourism regulation

Headquarters

HQ city

Chilanga

HQ country

Zambia

HQ region

Africa

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Hunting Concessions and Licensing: Revenue generated from issuing hunting licenses, hunting outfitter licenses, professional hunter licenses, trophy dealer permits, and wildlife product certificates. Includes non-resident hunting licenses, resident hunting licenses, and GMA hunting permits.
2. Tourism and Hospitality Licensing: Revenue from licensing tourism establishments including accommodations, tour operators, travel agencies, car hire services, restaurants, and night clubs. Also includes grading certificates for accommodation enterprises.
3. Park Entry Permits: Revenue from issuing permits to enter national parks and bird sanctuaries, photographic permits, and related tourism access fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Department of National Parks & Wildlife (DNPW) is a Zambian government department under the Ministry of Tourism responsible for managing Zambia's protected area network, including 20 National Parks (~63,632 sq km), 36 Game Management Areas, two Wildlife Sanctuaries, and one Bird Sanctuary. It issues wildlife and tourism licenses (hunting, professional hunter, trophy dealer, tour guide, accommodation), collects park entry permits, conducts anti-poaching law enforcement, executes wildlife translocation, and runs community-based conservation programs funded through a K1.2 billion (2025) government budget.

Product overview

The Department of National Parks & Wildlife (DNPW) operates as a government department under Zambia's Ministry of Tourism, managing the nation's protected area network comprising 20 National Parks, 36 Game Management Areas, two Wildlife Sanctuaries, and one Bird Sanctuary. The department provides regulatory licensing services (hunting licenses, wildlife product permits, tour guide licensing, commercial photography permits) through an e-services portal integrated with the government's Zampotal platform. Core operational services include wildlife conservation, anti-poaching operations, wildlife translocation, and community engagement programs. Recent infrastructure development projects under the TRALARD Project have improved park facilities at Lusenga Plains and Lavushi Manda National Parks. Conservation initiatives include collaborative management partnerships with African Parks for Kafue, Liuwa Plain, and Bangweulu, as well as participation in the IUCN Green List Project for protected area certification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• E-Services Portal for Wildlife Licensing Government online portal that enables tourism operators, hunters, and visitors to apply for and renew wildlife licenses, hunting permits, trophy dealer permits, photographic permits, and park entry permits. It is for use by tourism businesses, professional hunters, outfitters, trophy dealers, and individuals seeking access to Zambia's protected areas.
• National Parks Management

Quantifiable outcome

• International tourist arrivals reached 2.3 million in 2025, up from just over 1 million in 2022
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• KAZA TFCA (Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026Transfrontier conservation area partnership with Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. One of the world's largest conservation landscapes. Zambia was commended for significant progress in conservation planning and protected area management, finalizing and launching seven General Management Plans. The partnership advances regional conservation, sustainable development, and transboundary cooperation.
• Republic of MalawimajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 May 2026Bilateral tourism cooperation focused on destination marketing, regional tourism promotion, investment opportunities, and development of cross-border tourism products. Agreement to establish a Joint Technical Committee between Zambia and Malawi to facilitate continuous engagement and coordinate implementation of cooperation areas.
• Republic of AngolamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2026Bilateral tourism cooperation through Memorandum of Understanding discussions. Countries committed to strengthening collaboration in tourism development, joint marketing, tourism investment promotion, exchange of tourism information, harmonisation of standards, and diversification of tourism products. Angola participates in ZATEX and Zambia participates in BITUR in Angola.
• Republic of South AfricamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2026Bilateral tourism cooperation discussions on future collaboration ahead of Africa Travel Indaba 2027. Proposal to introduce dedicated pre-event engagement platform for private sector players from both countries to network, build partnerships, develop joint tourism packages, strengthen destination marketing, and create multi-country tourism circuits.
• World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026Partnership in conservation planning and protected area management. WWF has been involved in the development of General Management Plans for Kafue Flats ecosystem and other protected areas, contributing technical expertise and funding support.
• International Crane FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026Partner in conservation and protection of the Kafue Flats landscape, specifically focused on crane conservation and ecosystem protection in the Kafue Flats ecosystem covering Lochinvar National Park, Blue Lagoon National Park, and the Kafue Flats Game Management Area.
• African ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Collaborative management partnership for Kafue National Park, Liuwa Plain National Park, and Bangweulu Wetlands. African Parks committed US$20 million over 20 years but has invested over US$34 million within five years. The partnership follows a model first implemented in Liuwa Plain National Park in 2003 and has become a benchmark for conservation success in Zambia.
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2020IUCN Green List Project implementing protected area governance and effective management. Triangular cooperation with Namibia, China (Chinese Academy of Forestry), and Germany (GIZ and KfW Development Bank). Project runs from November 2020 with Phase 1 focusing on planning, governance and management of protected areas, and Phase 2 on site assessments, capacity building, and policy alignment. Zambia has established an Expert Assessment Group for the Green List (EAGL).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF): Global conservation NGO partnered with DNPW on General Management Plans (e.g., Kafue Flats). Comparable as a major technical and funding partner shaping protected area management in Zambia.
• African Parks: NGO that manages national parks across Africa under long-term PPP agreements. Directly relevant as DNPW's core partner in Kafue, Liuwa Plain, and Bangweulu — operates an adjacent but complementary model of state-delegated park management.
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): International body running the Green List certification program in which DNPW participates. Comparable as a standards-setter and governance partner that influences DNPW's conservation protocols and donor access.
• Peace Parks Foundation: Facilitator of transfrontier conservation areas including KAZA TFCA. Comparable to DNPW's regional coordination role and a likely partner for cross-border conservation and tourism financing.
• Namibia Wildlife Resorts: State-owned enterprise managing tourism operations in Namibia's national parks. Comparable to DNPW in combining conservation mandate with hospitality/concession revenue from protected areas in southern Africa.

Direct peers

• South African National Parks (SANParks): Statutory body managing South Africa's national parks. Directly comparable to DNPW as a state-owned entity responsible for wildlife conservation, protected area management, and tourism licensing across a large park network in southern Africa.
• Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks): Statutory body under Zimbabwe's Ministry of Environment overseeing national parks, wildlife, and tourism. Most direct regional peer given shared KAZA TFCA landscape and similar hunting-concession revenue model.
• Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks: Government department under Botswana's Ministry of Environment and Tourism managing national parks, game reserves, and wildlife. High peer relevance due to shared KAZA membership and dependence on high-value tourism concessions.
• Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA): Government agency responsible for managing Tanzania's national parks and wildlife conservation. Shares DNPW's model of park entry fees, licensing, and protected area governance across a comparable East/Southern African tourism market.
• Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS): State corporation managing Kenya's national parks, wildlife reserves, and anti-poaching operations. Closely analogous mandate to DNPW in wildlife law enforcement, conservation financing, and tourism revenue management.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/department-of-national-parks-wildlife

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Department of National Parks & Wildlife