After years of neglect, wildlife numbers are still low in Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, but this is changing rapidly thanks to the efforts of African Parks. Elephants often come to drink at pools in the Bua River in the Dry season. Other species that might be encountered include yellow baboon, vervet monkey, buffalo, zebra, hippo, waterbuck, sable antelope and warthog. Of the larger carnivores, leopard and spotted hyena are present but very seldom seen.
Wildlife Highlights
Over 2016–17, Nkhotakota WR was the recipient of one of the largest elephant translocations ever undertaken. More than 500 elephants were relocated to the reserve from Majete Wildlife Reserve and Liwonde National Park, where numbers had become higher than these smaller parks could manage. Elephants are seldom seen in Nkhotakota during the height of the Wet season (November to April). However, they often gather at pools along the Bua River during the drier months, especially over September and October, but often into November too, depending on when the rains start.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
The Dry season (May to October) is the best time for spotting animals in Nkhotakota WR. Wildlife is easiest to find from July onwards, once vegetation has thinned out and animals are forced to gather around permanent water sources.
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