Munda Wanga Trust: Environmental Education in Zambia

History

Munda Wanga's history starts around 1950 when Ralph Sander, a civil servant in the then Colonial Government of Northern Rhodesia, had a dream. His dream had always been to start his own botanical garden, not very surprising as he was raised in a famous horticulture family based in Brugge, Belgium.

He called it 'Munda Wanga' as this means 'My Garden' in Nyanja, a Zambian language. At first his plans were for a private garden, but his enthusiasm got the better of him. His garden grew to a size and quality that people wanted to visit; the income from entrance charges helped to meet the running costs.

Ralph developed the garden not only as a Botanical Garden introducing new species to Zambia but also as a site where young Zambians could display there skills as sculptors, artisans, bricklayers. Even today the Gardens complicated hard landscaping still survives the test of time.

In 1968, with the Gardens finding it difficult to meet its' costs, the Government of Zambia bought them and added a large area of land to develop a collection of animals. With the high price of copper, Munda Wanga developed in the centre of Lusaka life.

With the drop in the copper markets, Munda Wanga entered a new phase in its life. Passed between Government Departments and private entities, Munda Wanga suffered. The Gardens became overgrown and neglected. The animals were badly cared for, many of them dying when food supplies dried up. The poor state of Munda Wanga caused an outcry and the Government felt compelled to do something about it.

In 1998 a new lease was signed for a period of 25 years with the Munda Wanga Trust. Since that December 1998, a lot has been changed. The Gardens are neat and tidy, plants are identified and new plants are being planted all the time. The animals are now housed in open topped enclosures, with enough space to hide, run, hunt or graze. New infrastructure has been put in place to guide the visitors around. In 2000 an Environmental Education Centre has been added and now features as the main attraction to start a tour in the Botanical Gardens and the Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Environmental Education Centre has been funded by a several embassies to ensure that The Munda Wanga Trust can continue with providing premier environmental education to the Zambian Youth. The trust believes that by educating the future leaders, change will be made to the conservation and protection of our natural resources, habitat and wildlife.

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Opening hours:
Monday -Sunday
Winter (April - July): 8:00 - 18:00 (last entry at 17:00)
Summer (August - March): 8:00 - 19:00 (last entry at 18:00)

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Entry Fees:
from the 1st April 2010
Adults (13yrs and above) K25,000
Children (13 - 2 Yrs) K10,000
Toddlers (2yrs and below) Free
Picnic fee (adults only) K5,000

Special rates are applicable for pre-bookings and groups (over 20 people). Please contact us for any enquiries.

Educational visits are advised to book in advance to receive an educational discount. Please advise us on the topic of your tour so the education team can prepare.

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Plot 175 Kafue Road, Chilanga
PO Box 350068, Chilanga
Lusaka, Zambia

Telephone:
Reception:
+260 (0)21 1278 614

Office/fax:
+260 (0)21 1278 529

For general enquiries:
mundawanga
@iconnect.zm

Wildlife Sanctuary:
mundawanga.sanctuary
@iconnect.zm

Botanical Gardens:
mundawanga.gardens
@iconnect.zm

Education Centre:
mundawanga.education
@iconnect.zm