Niassa Reserve

Niassa Reserve is a large protected area in northern Mozambique that combines mountains, savannas, wetlands, lakes, and extensive forest systems. The landscape is dominated by one of Africa's largest miombo woodland zones, a dense forest type that covers much of the terrain.

The reserve was established during the Portuguese colonial period in the 1950s to protect the natural environment. Its remote northern location helped it remain largely unaffected during the country's later civil conflict, allowing it to survive intact.

The reserve functions as a shared conservation space linking with neighboring countries to protect wildlife on a larger scale. Local communities and visitors understand it as a place where animals roam freely across borders, free from human settlement.

The dry season offers the best conditions for visiting, when roads are passable and wildlife viewing is easier. Access requires arrangements through specialized tour operators who handle transport and accommodation within the protected area.

The area is home to around 350 African wild dogs, representing a significant portion of the remaining global population of this endangered species. These dogs are rarely encountered because they hunt and roam across large territories in packs rather than staying in one spot.