Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve

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Expert

Sue Watt –

Visited: June

Sue is an award-winning writer who specializes in African travel and conservation. She writes for national newspapers, magazines, Rough Guides and Lonely Planet.

1 person found this review helpful.

Malawi’s Rising Star

Overall rating

4/5

Wildlife:

Bush Vibe:

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Spanning 1,800km², Nkhotakota was until recently a huge, empty reserve devoid of wildlife. However, once again conservation NGO African Parks has stepped in to protect the area. Despite the reserve’s size, African Parks has fenced the whole perimeter and relocated 520 elephants and numerous other animals in the first steps toward rehabilitation. When I first visited several years ago, wildlife sightings were rare and the reserve was more a place to hike, kayak and chill in beautiful wild surroundings – the views from Mount Kasukusuka right across the reserve are mesmerizing and make you realize just how vast it is. On my most recent visit, I watched the elephant I’d looked after in Liwonde walk into her new home following her relocation – an emotional experience… It’s early days yet in terms of the wildlife here, but Nkhotakota is still very much worth a visit, not least because it’s home to Tongole Wilderness Lodge, a luxury lodge that does fantastic work with the local communities in building classrooms and clinics. It’s one of my favorite lodges in Africa.

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