Majete Wildlife Reserve

Majete Wildlife Reserve encompasses 70,000 hectares of rugged bushland in the lower Shire River Valley, southern Malawi. Neglected for many years, Majete has undergone a major revival since 2003 when the reserve was taken over by the African Parks Network. Their work has been tremendous and the park has now been re-stocked with over 2,500 animals, including black rhino and lion that have successfully bred.

Other game found in the reserve includes elephant, buffalo, leopard, sable, waterbuck, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, hippo, crocodile, eland, nyala and zebra, making Majete the only Big 5 reserve in Malawi. Birding is also impressive with over 300 species being recorded. The reserve is fenced and protected by an anti-poaching squad. Though visitor numbers are still low, Majete has been a remarkable conservation success.

Majete’s scenery is as much a highlight as the game. The geography is varied, with the verdant valleys of the Shire and Mkulumadzi Rivers providing a contrast to the miombo woodland and granite topped hills that form the interior of the reserve.

In and around Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi
Safaris in Majete are mostly conducted in 4x4, though boat safaris on the Shire River are also possible and there is limited scope for guided walking safaris with trained rangers.

Currently there are only two camps in Majete Game Reserve, the small and simple Thawale Lodge run by African Parks and the upmarket Mkulumadzi Lodge, managed by Robin Pope Safaris, which has a superb location overlooking the confluence of the Shire and Mkulumadzi Rivers.