The Lower Zambezi Ecosystem(LZE) is located in the South Central Part of the Republic of Zambia, bordered by the Zambezi River on the South and Muchinga escarpment in the North, the Luangwa and Lukusashi Rivers in the east and the Kafue River on the Western border. This vast and mostly mountainous area is approximately 18,545Km in size and comprising the following protected areas;
1. Lower Zambezi National Park
2. Chiawa GMA
3. Luano GMA
4. Kafue GMA
There is also a private owned conservancy called Rufusa Ranch which shares borders with the LZE on the North-Western boundary. The Lower Zambezi Ecosystem falls in the Kafue, Chongwe and Luangwa District of Lusaka Province and half of Luano GMA(Upper Luano) is in Mkushi District of Central Province. The Muchinga and Zambezi Escarpment are the most significant physical features besides the three main rivers (Zambezi, Kafue and Luangwa). The Zambezi escarpment has led to the establishment of the ZAMBEZI BIOSPHERE RESERVE.
The LZE falls under the escarpment unit of ZAWA with the unit Headquarters at Chirundu for its administration and operation in the management and conservation efforts in this area. The LZE is very rich in wildlife resources, more significantly the Impala and Elephants are among the most common species in the area. Chiawa and Rufusa GMAs have the rare opportunity of elephants hunting because of the healthy population of elephants in the area. Rufusa GMA was far a long time known as the cats GMA because of its Lion and Leopard population and Chiawa GMA was especially established as a Bird Sanctuary and Luano GMA is also home to the famous and Yet rare Zambian Parrot.
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