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Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who write and update many Bradt guides, including the guide to Malawi.
Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who write and update many Bradt guides, including the guide to Malawi.
Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband form a team who author the Bradt guide to Malawi.
Ariadne and her husband form a team who author the Bradt guide to Malawi.
Majete Wildlife Reserve is Malawi’s major Big Five reserve and one of its top wildlife destinations. Badly neglected and heavily poached, the reserve was rescued in 2012 by the African Parks organization. Since then, more than 2,500 animals have been reintroduced and populations of naturally occurring large animals have started to recover. Accommodation ranges from a community-owned tented camp to a five-star lodge.
Most of the wildlife in Majete has been reintroduced, including large numbers of elephant, buffalo, zebra, sable antelope, Lichtenstein's hartebeest, nyala and waterbuck. Several lions and black rhinos have also been brought in, as well as giraffe, although not indigenous to Malawi. The reserve boasts the largest variety of antelope species in the country including thicket-loving greater kudu. The 600-odd buffalo move around in huge herds, and the Shire river teems with hippos.
Terrain in the reserve is mostly brachystegia (miombo) woodland with rocky outcrops. One of these outcrops, the ‘view spot’, is a great place to get a sense of space and the wilderness overlooking the endless wooded hills. Kapichira Falls, reached by a short self-guided footpath, is worth a stop as well.
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 Wet season starts. December to February are the wettest months, and daily thunderstorms can be expected. The first half of the Dry season, June and July, is cooler, so bring warm clothing for early mornings.
The best months for wildlife viewing are July to October in the Dry season, when animals are drawn to the river and waterholes. It can however be very hot in October, which might be difficult to bear. The scenery is lush and green in the Wet season months 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 15 years ago, you’d have seen very little wildlife – it...
Really enjoyed our visit to Majete - were able to drive around the park ourselves safely. The riverside setting is beautiful. We saw a lot of wildlife, none of the Big 5 unfortunately, but the highlight for us was seeing a nest of baby...