Munda Wanga, Botanical Garden or Public Park?

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  Chilanga, Zambia
Friday, November 17, 2006

Munda Wanga is located on the Kafue road, about half an hours drive south of Zambia's capital Lusaka. Looking at the lush 40 acre property now, one would never guess that only 60 years ago it was a parched landscape of dense bush. However, a man by the name of Ralph Sander envisioned the possibilities of the land before him and set out to realize his dream. Though born into a famous english horticultural family and a member of the Royal Horticultural Society, his life up to that point had been a series of humiliating failures. When he came to this part of Zambia in 1951, he was 56 and took a job as a government game park ranger just outside Chilanga. Here, he requested the use of a rundown shed next to the Musombangombe River and was also granted the rights to five acres of river frontage. He had no electricity or phone service but from that point on he spent every spare moment before and after his regular ranger duties clearing the land of bush. Everything was removed save 4 large fig trees and even with the help of three part-time workers, it too six years to clear and shape the landscape to his liking. By then however, he had badgered his way into acquiring an additional 12 acres of land on either side of the river.




After borrowing £4000 from a local building society, he hired two more workers and began building. They created numerous terraces that fit naturally into the designed landscape and also added a narrow, Chinese inspired bridge across the river. Soon, another bridge spanned the river and they began to add lawns and transplant numerous local trees and shrubs into the developing garden along with the many imported plants. However, the problem of water supply soon became an issue as the garden grew larger. Ralph then applied for permission to pump water from the river directly but was denied and told he'd have to draw the water by hand, bucket by bucket. Unfortunately, that was not an appropriate solution and he turned to a drilling company to dig a bore hole. Up to this point, ever attempt to dig a bore hole had ended in failure but the plants wouldn't survive without one so they tried once again. Finally, on the fifth day of drilling, they hit an underground stream at 96 feet down and the water burst forth. With more water than he could have hoped for, Ralph set about building a system of streams and waterfalls and an enormous 40,000 gallon reservoir that he then converted into a swimming pool. As each new project was finished more were being started and soon the landscape boasted an office, greenhouses, numerous outbuildings and finally telephone service and electricity, a luxury after his many years of toil.



In 1961, Ralph's financial situation became dire. He had spent most of his salary on building Munda Wanga. To pay the mounting costs, he also cashed in his life insurance policy and pension and even sold his personal possessions to keep the Munda Wanga chugging along. After exhausting every avenue, he was finally allowed to charge admission to the garden as the government realized Munda Wanga's growing importance as a tourist attraction. With the fresh infusion of money, more staff were hired and more water features were added. By 1964, the garden had expanded to 40 acres and accommodated five new lily ponds, eight fountains, two more waterfalls and countless arbours. Now the garden boasted over 200 species of trees, 50 types of succulents, 30 different orchids, 50 varieties of climbers/creepers and numerous aquatic plants, ornamental grasses, bromeliads and roses. Things were going well for Munda Wanga, and it even played host to several government minister's meeting following Zambia's independence in 1965, where the then President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda spoke very favourably of the gardens. By then, a new wildlife sanctuary had been added and more and more visitors were coming through the gates, but unfortunately times were changing.



By the late 1960's, fuel rationing had been introduced due to border closures in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. This caused the visitor numbers of the garden to drop drastically and without that steady income, the upkeep and maintenance costs soon became too much. There was only one answer, Ralph Sanders had to sell his beloved garden. The decision was made; Ralph moved out and the Ministry for Tourism along with the Zambia National Tourist Board took over control of the garden. Things progressed well for Munda Wanga but in 1978, its founder passed away. He had always wanted to be buried under the path near his favourite water fountain and even specified such in his will; but, instead, he was interred in the Leopards Hill Cemetery, where he rests to this very day. After his passing, things slowly started to go south for Munda Wanga. In 1982, funding from the Ministry for Tourism dwindled and the gardens were taken over by the National Hotel and Development Corporation but sadly they could not turn the gardens around and in 1989 passed it on to ZAL Holdings Ltd. They brought in more animals including tigers, American black bears, camels and deer which initially increased visitorship but it didn't last. Finally in 1994, the torch was passed to the Fairview Hotel who tried for two years before admitting defeat. Control of the gardens then passed to the Zambian Wildlife Authority and they kept the place running for 3 years despite little to no funds. People stopped visiting, the gardens became overgrown and the animals began dying from starvation and neglect. Finally, in 1999, a local businessman came to rescue with help from friends from overseas. A non profit organization was created and the Munda Wanga Trust took over control. Its mission has been to educate the public on environmental issues, rescue orphaned animals and create a recreational facility to be enjoyed by national and international visitors alike.



It is in this present incarnation that I have come to Munda Wanga. I most likely visited the gardens in the early 80's as a very young child but have not since been back during any of my previous visits back to Zambia. Now, armed with several years of horticultural training, I've found myself in the perfect position to volunteer my services at an institution badly in need of such services and all the help they can get. For the whole 40 acres, they only have 8 staff gardeners to look after numerous beds and display gardens. Visitor numbers are still low and many of the administrative positions are being filled with volunteers such as myself. Feed for the animals are provided by many different donors organized by the Trust and new plants for display are donated by compassionate garden centers in Lusaka. Basically, the garden is creeping along waiting for a miracle that has never yet materialized. Though I'm no miracle worker, I'll do my best during my time here to make sure that the dream of Ralph Sanders doesn't disappear back into the parched landscape.

The History of Munda Wanga, as summed up by myself, was mostly obtained from their publication A Read on the Wild Side Issue 7.

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Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

Beautiful shrubs	Circle of Trees	Innocent in propagation area	It's flowering
More beautiful shrubs	People and Plants Garden	Photo of the propagation area	The Bar and Cork tree
The Desert Rose	The Succulent Garden	View from entrance into Munda Wanga	View from one of the vistas
View towards the bar from the succulent garden	Weaver nests

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