Majete Wildlife Reserve is Malawi’s main ‘Big Five’ reserve and one particular of its top wildlife destinations. Positioned in south-western Malawi, close to 40 miles from Blantyre and a few several hours from Lake Malawi, Majete is 1 of the significant achievement tales in African conservation – an not likely story of resurgence and restoration.
2023 marks 20 years considering that African Parks, a non-revenue conservation business, signed an settlement with the Malawian govt to take above the administration of the reserve. Prior to this agreement, Majete was neglected and, after many years of poaching, practically devoid of wildlife – elephants, rhinos, lions, buffalo, even warthog ended up gone, and only a couple of antelope remained. Trees ended up becoming felled in excellent quantity for charcoal, there was only a handful of sport scouts, and not a person vacationer had visited the park in the previous a few a long time. The once stunning Majete seemed doomed.
Jump ahead to 2023 and intensive conservation function has regenerated Majete. Africa Parks have reintroduced rhinos, elephants, lions, giraffes, cheetahs, and wild canines – in overall more than two,500 animals have been reintroduced. The animals have thrived and are breeding well, latest estimates place the complete mammal populace at about eleven,000. By 2017, so successful experienced the reintroductions been, that surplus elephants and other animals were being able to be moved to assistance repopulate Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, 200 miles absent.
Majete has come a lengthy way in the earlier two a long time. It’s just about unrecognisable from its former dilapidated state. An extraordinary quantity of tricky function has turned the reserve into the only formal Large 5 Game Park in Malawi (Huge 7 if you consist of the reserve’s wild canine and cheetah!). Not 1 rhino or elephant has been poached due to the fact they have been reintroduced, and Majete is entirely reworked. This as soon as hopeless reserve is now one of Malawi’s ideal sport parks, giving some wonderful safari ordeals and putting the place on the map as a wonderful wildlife desired destination.
Wildlife
Visitors to Majete can search ahead to some amazing wildlife encounters, such as boat safaris on the magnificent Shire River (temporarily unavailable), as perfectly as the usual safaris by auto and on foot. Go in research of Majete’s superb wildlife on an adventurous safari! Most of the wildlife in Majete has been reintroduced, which includes significant numbers of elephant, buffalo, zebra, sable antelope, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, nyala and waterbuck. Various lions and black rhinos have also been brought in, as well as wild dog and giraffe. The reserve also boasts somewhere in the regions of 70 lions, and the largest wide variety of antelope species in the country, which includes larger kudu. The two,000 or so buffalo move in substantial herds, and the Shire River teems with hippos.
Birds
Majete is residence to about 300 different species of birds, which includes 4 species of vultures and several Bateleur Eagles. Other hen highlights consist of the Boulder Chat, Livingstone’s Flycatcher, Boehm’s Bee-eater, Cuckoo Hawk, Pel’s Fishing Owl and Rock Pratincole. There’s a great deal of range to maintain even the keenest of birders entertained.
5 good reasons to check out Majete
- Majete is an outstanding conservation achievement story – 20 yrs back, it was virtually devoid of wildlife, but now it is Malawi’s premier Major 5 spot with thriving animal populations and abundant birdlife.
- It is the only reserve in Malawi the place Giraffe and African Wild Doggy can be observed.
- Majete carries the best focus of predators in Malawi. These include Hyena, Cheetah, Leopard and Lion.
- Located only an hour and a half from Blantyre, this is the fantastic reserve to go to in Malawi.
- All resources generated in Majete lead to the administration of the reserve. African Parks is a non-financial gain organisation – your contribution aids sustain this incredible story of hope and revival.
Most effective time To go to
Even though Majete is open all year spherical, weather circumstances vary significantly dependent on the year. The greatest months for wildlife viewing are July – October, the Dry time, when animals are drawn to the river and waterholes. It can having said that be extremely very hot in October, which might be tricky to bear. The landscapes is lush and eco-friendly in the Soaked season months, November – April, but animals have a tendency to be more difficult to locate and the roads turn out to be complicated to navigate.
How to get there
For these who want to push to the reserve, cars are accessible for hire in Blantyre. The past 12 miles is an all-period dirt highway and can be driven all through the year, but a 4×4 automobile is advisable all through the moist months. The journey takes about an hour and a 50 %. For those people who’d somewhat fly, Majete has an airstrip, and charters can be booked with local suppliers.
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Majete accommodation
Thawale Camp is a classic tented camp in a key locale. The lodge is set on the edge of a bustling waterhole that routinely attracts a huge selection of wildlife, such as elephants and quite a few antelope. Located inside the reserve boundaries, the lodge is completely unfenced, offering visitors a actual encounter in the normal surroundings. There is a most important lounge and eating place and 6 tented chalets for lodging (together with two family members chalets). There is also a bio-swimming pool on site for guests’ use. Note the lodge does not accommodate children under three and youngsters should be supervised at all occasions.
Located inside the reserved, the Activity Seize Neighborhood Campsite is established underneath a grove of trees, for shade and cooler temperatures. Accommodating up to twenty five in specified tent internet sites, as very well as up to 8 company in shelters, this is a good base from which to take a look at the reserve. The web site is open up allowing for wildlife to move freely as a result of camp, but it does nonetheless have a limited fence close to it to prevent elephants bordering your tent.
The Analysis Campsite is located future to the Mwembezi entrance gate. This camp is totally unfenced. The camp has 4 tented rooms, just about every with two one beds and en-suite bathrooms with warm h2o. There is a shared kitchen, seating spot, firepit and BBQ. Foods, drinks and actions are not integrated, but can be booked at reception. Reservations can only be manufactured 14 times in progress.
Mkulumadzi Lodge, run by Robin Pope Safaris and in its have personal concession place, has eight beautiful chalets found on the financial institutions of the Shire River and presents authentic luxury in a fantastic placing. All ages are welcome and the lodge is open from sixteen March – 9 Jan.
Traveling to Majete in the course of your excursion to Malawi is an possibility you certainly do not want to pass up!
