Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve

Pros & Cons

• Immense and largely unexploited wilderness area
• Two mid-range lodges and a bush camp cater to most budgets
• Camping is available
• A chance to support a great conservation effort
• Activities include game drives and guided walks
• Very few tourists present
• Good bird watching includes several brachystegia specials
• Limited accommodations
• Limited internal road network
• Wildlife viewing is difficult due to the hilly terrain and dense vegetation
• Tsetse flies can be a nuisance on game drives

Wildlife

Nkhotakota protects viable populations of several reintroduced species. Under African Parks, more than 500 elephants have been translocated there from Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve. Other reintroduced animals include buffalo, hippo, zebra, warthog, eland, greater kudu, impala, waterbuck and sable antelope. Carnivores are seldom seen, but leopard and spotted hyena are present in small numbers. The most visible large mammal is probably yellow baboon.

• More about Nkhotakota WR’s wildlife

Scenery

This large reserve stretches across the rugged slopes of the Great Rift Valley as it rises from the western shore of Lake Malawi. The mountainous terrain covers a range of habitats with vast patches of miombo woodland interspersed with marshy dambos as well as pockets of grassland and rainforest. Several scenic seasonal rivers and waterfalls run through the reserve. Both lodges are situated above permanent pools on the Bua River.

Activities

The range of activities is relatively limited. Guided drives are more about enjoying the scenery than looking for wildlife. The most reliable spots for viewing animals are the lodges, which lie alongside permanent pools that often attract elephants during the Dry season, and Henry Nsanjana Hide, which overlooks a marshy area regularly frequented by buffalo. Guided walks offer the opportunity to visit several viewpoints and waterfalls, and to enjoy the diverse birdlife.

Weather & Climate

Nkhotakota has a warm climate and defined Wet and Dry seasons. As is typical in the tropics, temperatures are quite consistent throughout the year, but it gets noticeably hotter in October, just before the rains. Heavy rainfall and high humidity can be expected from December to March. June and July are the coolest months, and early mornings can be quite chilly.

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Best Time To Visit

The best months for wildlife viewing are July to October, when the bush has dried out and animals gather at predictable water sources. At this time, the bush is also less thick, which makes animal spotting easier. Bear in mind, however, that October can be incredibly hot. Nature is at its most beautiful in the Wet season from November to April, but roads can become difficult to navigate and animals are dispersed.

• More about the best time to visit

Want To Visit Nkhotakota WR?

Nkhotakota Safaris

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