Majete Widlife Reserve

Majete is an example of recovery and restoration. By the 1990s most large species including elephant had been totally eradicated from this area. It was an empty forest with just 12 scouts patrolling the land.

In 2003 Africa Parks, a not for profit organisation, took over working in partnership with the government and local community. The restoration of Majete has included significant infrastructure development (142kms of electrified perimeter fence, 300kms of roads, water holes, scout camps, fence camps and a complete tourism infrastructure), wildlife restocking and a complete overhaul of the law enforcement and scientific monitoring function. Black rhino were brought back in 2003; elephants followed in 2006; lions in 2012, cheetah in 2019 as well as a host of other wildlife including leopard making this budding reserve Malawi’s only destination home to the traditional safari ‘Big Five’ of leopard, elephant, buffalo, lion and rhino. There are now more than 12,200 animals thriving within its perimeter.

Animal re-stocking continues with hopes of making this Malawi’s number one attraction. There are 85 villages surrounding the reserve and the resurgence has helped the community providing much needed work and income. Over 140 people now work on a full time basis in the reserve, including a growing ranger force ensuring not a single elephant or rhino has been poached since 2003 – a fabulous achievement.

The introduction of Robin Pope’s stunning Mkulumadzi lodge has aided the new found popularity of Majete. The reserve is located in the lower Shire valley in the South West of Malawi, approximately 70kms – (one and a half hour’s drive) from Blantyre’s Chileka international airport and three hours from Lake Malawi.