Welcome to the CAMPFIRE Association
Zimbabwe’s vibrant communities are united by a shared vision of sustainable conservation and development. Empowered with Appropriate Authority status through the Rural District Councils (RDCs), they take ownership of their natural resources and proudly manage them through participation in the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE).
CAMPFIRE affects the lives of 2.4 million people in an estimated 800,00 households, either directly (200,000 households) or indirectly (600,000 households) through rural development projects. CAMPFIRE helps to protect 50,000 km2, protecting three to five million hectares of wildlife habitat (12.7% of the country). The programme operates in 58 districts, 23 of which report to the CAMPFIRE Association. Income to the programme is generated primarily through levies from 33 hunting safari operators and eight photographic safari operators.
The CAMPFIRE Association provides strategic representation, guidance, and support to communities, enabling them to conserve their natural resources effectively while sharing in the benefits derived from sustainably using these resources.
Latest News
Stay up to date with the news from the Association and our projects in the field by reading our latest blogs.
Human-lion Conflict: A Growing Concern in Hwange District
Human-lion conflict is a pressing issue in Hwange District, Zimbabwe, where livestock depredation by lions and other predators is a…
Chili Fences: A Game-Changer in Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation
In Zimbabwe’s Hwange District, an innovative solution is helping to mitigate human-elephant conflict (HEC) and change the lives of local…
A Roof Restored, a Future Rebuilt: How Conservation Efforts Supported Education in Hwange, Zimbabwe
In 2024, the people of Matabeleland North (Ward 8) in Zimbabwe’s Hwange District witnessed the tangible benefits of community-led conservation…
Our Partners
The CAMPFIRE Association works with national and local government bodies. Twenty-three Rural District Councils contribute to the Association, and these fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. For matters regarding natural resource management, we collaborate with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) that falls under the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife.
CAMPFIRE Association receives institutional funding and technical support from:
Our current project partners:
CAMPFIRE Association is a proud member of the Community Leaders Network of Southern Africa.