Africa's political leaders, local communities, governments, conservation and tourism organizations, bilateral and multilateral aid agencies, the private sector and NGOs are increasingly embracing Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) in recognition of their role in conserving biodiversity, socioeconomic development and promoting a culture of peace. The establishment of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has provided a useful model for demonstrating the institutional arrangements for TFCA establishment, which have to address political and legal issues, regional support, the role of government departments and conservation agencies, community participation and financial requirements. Two proposed TFCAs, namely the Three-Nations Namib Desert TFCA (South Africa/Namibia/Angola) and the Upper Zambezi/Okavango TFCA (Angola/Botswana/Namibia/Zambia/Zimbabwe) are described and examined in more detail in relation to the benefits they can bring to the participating countries and their role in conserving global biodiversity. Keywords: Africa, biodiversity conservation, Cape Floristic Province, civil unrest, endemism, hotspots, land transformation, optimum land use, peace park, protected area, socioeconomic development, southern Africa, Succulent Karoo, transfrontier conservation area.