In 1975 before the Mozambique civil war, vast numbers of wildlife including 65 White Rhinoceros were relocated from Umfolozi Game Reserve in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.
The elephant reserve is now threatened by industrial development On 18 July 2012 Macauhub News Agency reported that a public tender will be issued for selection of the company that will carry out the studies of the economic feasibility of building a deep water port an Techobanine.
Tembe's 300 square kilometres (120 sq mi) comprises a variety of unique sand forest, woodland, grassland and swampland habitats.
The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park in the Ponta do Ouro-Kosi Bay Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in November 1999.
Efforts are ongoing to extend the existing World Heritage Site northwards to encompass the Mozambican section of the TFCA, which includes a marine protected area.