Majete Wildlife Reserve
An inspiring story of restoration and resurgence, Majete Wildlife Reserve has progressed from derelict to thriving, and today offers some of the best wildlife experiences in Malawi.
A pioneer for large-scale wildlife reintroductions in Africa
World-class bird watching with approximately 300 species and rare encounters
Great game viewing of elephant, African wild dog, and more
Best Time to Go
History of Majete Wildlife Reserve
Located in south-western Malawi in the Shire River basin, Majete was an unknown reserve in dire straits in 2003, with almost every animal hunted out. However, African Parks stepped in, and the reserve’s change of fortune has to be seen to be believed.
Community-led initiatives are at the heart of the area’s restoration efforts, and it’s now a beacon of hope. Giraffe, elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, and wild dog have all been reintroduced here, and the programmes have been so successful that Majete has been able to supply wildlife to other parks in Malawi since 2016.
Wildlife and Birdlife
Visitors can expect to see herds of zebra, buffalo, kudu, sable antelope, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, klipspringer, and more, which provide an ideal prey base for Majete’s lion, leopard, and wild dog. There’s a fantastic elephant population, many of which have been restored from Liwonde, and they can regularly be spotted bathing along the edges of the Shire River.
Birding is one of the highlights of Majete, with more than 300 species recorded within the reserve’s boundaries. Four species of vulture and a large concentration of stunning bateleur eagles also call the reserve home. Some of the special sightings include African cuckoo hawk, Livingstone’s flycatcher, Boehm’s bee-eater, rock pratincole, and boulder chat.
At just 700 square kilometres, Majete is a small reserve, but it truly stands out as a beacon of conservation success and the game viewing here makes it well worth adding this pristine reserve onto your Malawi holiday.
