Majete Wildlife Reserve, Wildlife reserve in Southern Region, Malawi
Majete Wildlife Reserve is a 700-square-kilometre protected area in the lower Shire River valley, about 80 kilometres west of Blantyre and just north of Lengwe National Park. It covers savanna, woodland and riparian forest, with Acacia, Brachystegia and Sterculia trees and tall grasses. Only a relatively small area in the north-east is open to visitors; the rest is hilly and hard to reach.
The reserve was established in 1955 but saw severe declines in wildlife populations over the following decades. A major conservation initiative by African Parks beginning in 2003 reversed these losses and restored animal populations.
The visitor center at the entrance displays confiscated poaching equipment, helping people understand past threats to wildlife and modern conservation efforts. Guests encounter this perspective immediately upon arrival.
The reserve is located roughly 70 kilometers from Blantyre and offers a range of accommodations from luxury lodges to basic camping options. Visitors should bring water and suitable gear since conditions can be demanding.
Majete became Malawi's first Big Five reserve when African Parks reintroduced lions in August 2012; four more lions arrived in 2018 to widen the gene pool, and 52 lions were counted in 2022. Cheetahs returned in 2019 and a pack of six African wild dogs in 2020, decades after both had vanished.
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