THE ORIGINS FOUNDATION X Zambeze Delta Safaris
Location: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
31 years as an active outfitter!
Mozambique is situated in South East Africa. Coutada 11 is an Official safari concession, covering 2000 square kilometers of some of the most diverse habitat and animal species in Africa. This area is one of the few remaining in Africa where one can still do a Classical African Safari.
Coutada 11 is part of the Marromeu Complex and borders the mighty Zambezi River to the north. Coutada 11 is situated in the central part of Coastal Mozambique. The spectrum of wildlife is quite remarkable, having 21 hunting species of game from the tiny Livingstone Suni to the Buffalo, including 4 of the Big 5.
To learn more about Zambeze Delta Safaris, visit their website:
Zambeze Delta Safaris
Zambeze Delta Safaris
20 years
continuous wildlife survey data supporting quota setting, carrying capacity, and predator reintroductions
100
trail cameras/year deployed for annual predator monitoring (lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena)
4
research partnerships – San Francisco Zoo; Pretoria University (genetics & tick research); specialist entomologists
Current Research
Predator conservation monitoring, Pangolin research/rehabilitation efforts – 100% success rate – rehabilitation and release, Predator/prey interface research
“Effective wildlife management is built on trust, strengthened by long-term data and science.”
44
community sourced AP staff. 32 permanent and 12 temporary anti-poaching staff, all locally recruited, supported by a resident wildlife ecologist, bi-annual training cycles, and mandatory 5-year re-selection to maintain performance and accountability.
21
Active management of 21 species, including ~30,000 buffalo across managed herds, 150 sable under monitoring, and 55 leopards with a documented population increase — reflecting sustained enforcement and ecological stability.
365
day enforcement. Ground patrols using 20 silent electric motorbikes and a rapid-response Land Cruiser, complemented by a DSC-sponsored Robinson helicopter for aerial surveillance — guided by a philosophy that long-term conservation succeeds only through constant protection, empowered communities, and sustainable wildlife use for the benefit of all humanity.
526,000+
acres managed. Coutada 11 (≈494,210 acres) and Massingir (≈32,000 acres) under long-term tenure, with 31 years of continuous management in Coutada 11 and an expanding footprint in Massingir under renewable DUAT and concession agreements.
$8.5M+
$8.5 million deployed for infrastructure and species reintroduction, supported by ~$350,000 in annual operating costs and governed by five mandatory renewal criteria, including conservation performance, anti-poaching effort, community benefits, and 70% minimum quota utilisation (targeting 90–99%).
$450K
$450,000 per year in hunting ticket revenue paid to government, with 20% flowing directly to communities alongside schools and water wells, reinforced by collaboration with eight conservation and government partners to restore wildlife in previously depleted landscapes.
225
total employed
x20
4500 indirect financial beneficiaries
5%
graduated high-school
Junior school built, daily meals provided, weekly environmental lessons. 25 students in the high-achiever program preparing for higher education and careers
1 purpose-built clinic, funded with Cabella Family Foundation support. Maleria treatment, child vaccinations, maternity support advocacy, with visiting senior staff and doctors
Provides 56 tons of meat to 6 villages and 2000 people for 7 months/year. Also contributed to commnunity honey, fishing, and rice farm projects.
Ethos
We are the longest standing concessionaire in Mozambique and have had the lease on Coutada 11 since 1992 – over the years, sound Game Management practices and Antipoaching programs, have contributed to making this area one of the best free-roaming game lands in Africa today. Coutada 11 is virtually at carrying capacity for most species. – Mark
It is the goal and mission of Zambeze Delta Conservation Foundation to conserve this biological treasure for all of humanity. – Mark
We know that we can show the rest of the world that a multi-faceted approach to conservation, one with sustainable use principles as its foundation, is both doable and, just as important, the best conservation solution we have and may ever have. The world needs to see the continued success in the Delta. The world needs to hear the amazing stories of growing populations of flora and fauna, community development and empowerment, the benefit to the climate, the reduction in poaching, and the protection of endangered and threatened species. The world needs to know what is not only possible but imminently achievable. – Mark
