Majete Wildlife Reserve is an African conservation success story, creating one of the most overlooked gems on the continent. The Malawian Big 5 game park is a remarkable tale of partnership that speaks to how investing in nature revitalizes local communities.
The 70 000-hectare reserve sits in the Lower Shire Valley in southwestern Malawi. Home of the Kapichira Falls, that once thwarted David Livinstone’s explorations, the park is where the Shire and Mkulumadzi rivers meet.
It’s a unique spot in Africa and perfect if you’re an intrepid nature lover who enjoys exploring past the famous commercial destinations.
The reserve goes beyond the typical African savanna, with two major rivers, picturesque granite hills, powerful waterfalls, and diverse miombo woodlands. Yet, due to being less well known to the average safari traveler, it is one of the more affordable parks to explore.
Visiting the Majete Wildlife Reserve is an unforgettable experience of hope. Can you believe this gorgeous environment was a desolate landscape only a little over two decades ago?
Majete History: From Wasteland to New Life
The extraordinary story of Majete Wildlife Reserve began in 1955 when it was granted protected status. Alas, without proper management or financial support, the land and its inhabitants had no defense against poachers, loggers, illegal farming, and charcoal burning.
By the 1970s, the park’s rhinoceros had been eliminated. Throughout the 80s, much of the reserve’s remaining wildlife suffered a similar, devastating fate.
The last of the elephants and lions vanished in the early 90s, as did most of the antelope species. By 2002, the area was a wildlife reserve in name only.
Local communities were suffering as well. The over 140 000 people had little to sustain themselves, with dwindling natural resources and the lack of infrastructure left them with inadequate access to healthcare, education, and basic needs (such as potable water).
The area is a glaring example of the connectedness between humans and the natural environment. When the earth is ill, so are the people.
2003: African Parks enters a public-private partnership
In 2003, hope came to the region when African Parks took over the reserve’s management after entering a public-private partnership with the Malawi Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW).
African Parks had two main goals:
- Rehabilitate and manage the reserve.
- Invest and empower the local communities.
They were ambitious goals. When African Parks stepped in to take over the park, the reserve hadn’t had a single tourist visit in the past three years and only employed 12 scouts.
“It was like Noah’s Ark,” Patrizio Ndazela, the project manager from African Parks, said, referring to the scale of the rehabilitation scheme. “We had to start from scratch.”
Infrastructure and community investment are conservation
African Parks’ first act was to invest in infrastructure and the community. A choice that might seem at odds with rebuilding wildlife.
But without roads, service vehicles, fencing, and community support, there was no point in bringing animals that couldn’t be protected from poaching.
By listening to the people’s needs, partnerships were developed, benefiting locals and providing space to reintroduce wildlife.
For instance, the following occurred through the new partnerships:
- Surrendered 400 illegal guns in the first 18 months of the project.
- Erected over 100 miles (160 km) of fencing.
- Created 186 miles (300 km) of dirt roads.
- Set up educational and commercial programs.
- Installed boreholes and water storage facilities.
- Established climate-smart agriculture.
- Opened health care clinics.
The return of rhinos and elephants
2003 brought the arrival of seven black rhinos to Majete Wildlife Reserve. With new fencing in place, the few remaining animals at the park and the new rhinos had a chance to flourish.
As much as we adore spotting rhinos in the wild, they are much more than a tourist attraction. The animals play a crucial role in keeping an ecosystem balanced.
As rhinos move around, they create natural waterholes while keeping existing ones open, enrich the soil, and provide vital nourishment for other crucial species, like our outstanding planetary citizens, the dung beetles.
The next significant influx was in 2006, with the arrival of 70 African elephants. More followed in 2008 and 2009. Their introduction was vital to restoring the natural habitat.
Nicknamed ecosystem engineers, these large mammals disperse seeds and increase the diversity of plants and trees.
By 2022, 17 different animal species had been introduced to the park, including:
Majete Over 20 Years Later
Today, Majete Wildlife Reserve brims with life. Reintroducing and protecting the animals at the park is an ongoing success.
Over 5000 animals have been brought into the reserve since the African Parks partnership began, including through rescue initiatives.
Not a single rhino or elephant has been poached since their introduction, and out of the 50 pangolins they’ve saved, 16 are now happily living in the park.
Even better, the animals in Majete are thriving and reproducing, including the black rhino and giraffe.
Cheetah cubs were spotted only two years after the animals’ reintroduction. The wild dogs had 12 pups in 2023. Meanwhile, the lions brought their numbers up to 70.
The elephant herds at the reserve have done so well that the park is now supplying elephants to other areas of Malawi, including Liwonde National Park and Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. Their extortionary 500 elephant translocation is an unmatched historic feat.
Altogether, the park now boasts over 12 000 large mammals. Other animals living in the park include:
- Buffalos
- Elands
- Impalas
- Leopards
- Lichtenstein’s hartebeests
- Nyalas
- Sables
- Spotted hyenas
- Waterbucks
- Zebras
The region’s rebirth has attracted other wildlife, including over 300 full-time residents and migratory bird species, such as raptors and four types of vultures. Bird enthusiasts especially enjoy spotting:
- African skimmers
- Arnot’s chats
- Bateleur eagles
- Böhm’s bee-eaters
- Boulder chats
- Cuckoo-hawks
- Diminutive rock pratincoles
- Pel’s fishing owls
- Racket-tailed rollers
Tourist Numbers Are Growing But Still Modest
Majete Wildlife Reserve has come a long way since it experienced a three-year visitor drought.
The park has also bounced back from the pandemic travel restrictions, bringing in $759 087 in 2023, a 49% rise from pre-Covid revenue. 8000 of their tourists that year were local.
While the figures are impressive for a project that only began a little over 20 years ago, they are significantly lower than those from more well-known safari destinations. For instance, South Africa’s Kruger Park is estimated to bring in $64 million a year to the nation’s economy.
To seasoned safari travelers, Majete’s tourist numbers are music to their ears. Parks like Kruger have become congested, making some visitors feel like they’re stuck in rush-hour traffic (albeit with far better scenery).
The Malawi park, on the other hand, provides the services international visitors want (luxury tented lodges, restaurants, swimming pool, day visitor site, and camping) while keeping conservation and community development at the forefront of their mission.
Majete is a safari destination for wildlife enthusiasts excited about conservation and spotting animals instead of hanging out in crowds.
Majete is creating sustainable opportunities
One of African Parks’ goals with Majete was to have the reserve benefit the people in a sustainable way. The reserve employs 180 people directly, and the growing tourism has created jobs in the private sector and park security.
They’re also committed to helping people increase their income and source food in legal ways that are far less harmful than poaching or making charcoal. Instead, they are promoting fish farming and climate-smart agriculture.
The most successful initiative is beekeeping. Locals have been taught how to be beekeepers and now produce high-quality organic honey to sell. In 2023, four tons of honey was produced through ethical and sustainable beekeeping.
Other benefits the Majete private-public initiative has created include:
- 21 Community-Based Organizations (CBOs).
- Majete scholarship program.
- Majete workplace internship program.
- 37 Wildlife Clubs through educational awareness programs.
- Replanted 70 000 indigenous trees in 2023.
- Provided 23 000 fuel-efficient cookstoves, reducing charcoal reliance.
Pack Your Bags and Set Off for Majete
Do you want to see successful conservation in action? Then pack your bags and head over to the Majete Wildlife Reserve.
Where is it?
Majete is in the Lower Shire Valley in southwest Malawi. The park is 70 km (43.5 miles) from Blantyre’s Chileka International Airport.
The drive takes around an hour and a half. For those visiting Lake Malawi, the drive is three hours.
The reserve does have an airstrip for those who prefer to fly rather than drive. Visitors must book a charter with a local provider who will arrange for permission to take the trip.
When is the best time to visit?
Majete is open throughout the year. But the experience is heavily impacted by the seasons.
The reserve’s wet season is from November to March. Conditions are hot and humid, and the thick vegetation makes it more challenging to spot wildlife. It also creates a lot of mud, making a 4×4 a must if you want to drive around.
The reserve’s dry season is from April to October, although the driest portion begins in June. The vegetation slowly browns and thins out, making it easier to see the wildlife.
The coolest month to visit is July, when temperatures can be as low as 52°F (11°C). The hottest months are October and November, easily hitting 104°F (40°C).
Types of safaris?
Majete welcomes day visitors and overnight guests. Those visiting during the day can arrive as early as 6 AM and leave as late as 6 PM.
Visitors can take themselves on a self-drive safari. Alternatively, a guide can hop into your car and accompany you.
In addition, visitors can book morning or sunset game drives, where knowledgeable guides take you through the park.
Want a break from road trips? Shire River boat excursions allow visitors to see the aquatic life and those who enjoy coming over for a drink, such as the elephants.
If you are a birdwatcher, you can take advantage of their specialist bird drives.
Lastly, visitors are welcome to meet the local people who are vital to the reserve’s success by booking a community visit. Guests learn about the community’s daily life and are introduced to traditional foods and dancing.
Where to stay?
Majete offers accommodation and camping opportunities. Alternatively, visitors can book private accommodation near the park.
Thawale Lodge is the ultimate glamping experience. The tented chalets are air-conditioned and have en-suite bedrooms. Guests may also use the dining area, bar, restaurant, and a birding platform.
One of its biggest perks is the “bio-pool,” where guests can swim and snorkel with local freshwater fish, including cichlids.
Campers can take advantage of the reserve’s tent sites and serviced shelters. Campsites have kitchen facilities, and campers may also use the restaurant.
For those wanting a bit more adventure while they sleep, bush camping is available in non-designated campsites for rooftop tents.
If you don’t have a rooftop tent, you can book the Nakamba Hide, which is 8 meters off the ground. The hide is located in the prehistoric baobab grove and overlooks a floodlit waterhole. A unique and memorable experience.
Is it safe?
Malawi is one of Africa’s safest countries and tourist-friendly. Like anywhere in the world though, crime can happen.
But there is no need to take any unusual safety precautions than you would when visiting Seattle, London, or Rome. Some would argue Malawi is safer.
However, Majete is home to the Big 5, so visitors must follow park safety rules.
It certainly isn’t the place to coat yourself in coconut oil and then try to pet a lion or play fetch with a wild dog. Enjoying nature means respecting that the reserve is their home.
Getting Involved in Conservation
Are you inspired by the Majete Wildlife Reserve story? There are many ways to get involved and make a difference.
If you enjoy being hands-on and having an exciting adventure, consider signing up for the best safari guide training courses.
There are courses designed for those looking for their African dream job. Graduates earn their FGASA and CATHSSETA-accredited certifications.
The in-depth courses enrich your appreciation for nature and provide valuable knowledge, including how to decipher animal tracks.
But you don’t need to change careers to benefit from a safari course. There are also programs for wildlife enthusiasts. These help you get more out of your adventures in nature, such as exploring Majete Wildlife Reserve.
Ready to start your journey? Contact us today.
