Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Bradt guide to Malawi.
Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Bradt guide to Malawi.
Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Malawi.
Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Malawi.
One of Malawi’s top safari destinations, Majete Wildlife Reserve supports all the Big Five, as well as cheetah and African wild dog. Following years of intensive poaching, the park has experienced an extraordinary revival under the NGO African Parks, which took over management in 2003. Since then, some 3,000 individuals representing 17 large mammal species have been reintroduced, and naturally occurring animal populations have recovered.
Since 2003, lion, leopard, cheetah, African wild dog, black rhino, elephant, buffalo and zebra have all been successfully reintroduced to Majete. Giraffe, though not indigenous, have also been translocated into the reserve. Of the Big Five, elephant and lion are both plentiful, while the population of 2,000 buffalo tends to move around in huge herds. Hippos and crocodiles are resident in the Shire River. A varied cast of antelope includes Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, sable, impala, waterbuck, greater kudu, nyala and bushbuck.
The main vegetation type in Majete is miombo woodland interspersed with rocky outcrops. One of these outcrops, known as the ‘view spot’, is a great place to get a sense of space and the wilderness, overlooking the endless wooded hills. The reserve also incorporates patches of acacia woodland, while the Shire River supports a ribbon of lush riparian forest. There are areas of open grassland in the south. The landmark Kapichira Falls is now largely submerged by a hydroelectric dam.
Activities
The main northeastern road circuit can be tackled in any vehicle and comes with a good chance of spotting elephant, lion, hippo, giraffe and zebra. A high-clearance 4x4 vehicle is required to explore the wilder-feeling south, which is the best place to look for buffalo. Boat trips on the Shire River were stopped for safety reasons after a flood destroyed Kapichira Dam in January 2022, but they should resume once repairs are complete. Walking safaris are no longer offered. For self-sufficient visitors, an overnight stay at Nakamba Hide, overlooking a grove of baobabs and a waterhole, offers your best chance of seeing a black rhino.
Weather & Climate
The climate in Majete is hot and tropical. Temperatures are relatively uniform throughout the year, though there is a distinct rise in humidity and temperature in October, just before the start of the Wet season (November to April). December to March are the wettest months, and daily thunderstorms can be expected. During the Dry season (May to October), the coolest months are June and July. Bring warm clothing for early morning game drives if you are visiting then.
The best months for wildlife viewing are July to October, during the middle and end of the Dry season, when animals are drawn to the river and waterholes. However, it can be very hot in October, which might be difficult to bear. The scenery is lush and green in the Wet season, from November to April, but animals tend to be harder to find and the roads become difficult to navigate.
Sue is an award-winning writer who specializes in African travel and conservation. She writes for national newspapers, magazines, Rough Guides and Lonely Planet.
A Story of Success
4/5
Majete, in southern Malawi, is beautiful with its gentle rolling hills, lush miombo woodlands and majestic Shire River forging its way to the Zambezi. But if you’d have visited 20-odd years ago, you’d have seen very little wildlife –...
I have been on safaris before. This one was reconstituted,since poachers had pretty much destroyed this entire area of animals. It is nice for the government to repopulate the area but honestly it is a big waste of time Very few animals...