Majete National Park in Malawi
The “Majete Wildlife Reserve” is located in southern Malawi in the so-called Shire Valley on the African continent. The national park was established in 1955 and covers an area of around 700 square kilometers. The varied landscape of the nature reserve is absolutely unique: locals and tourists can encounter massive granite rocks, picturesque river valleys, raging waterfalls and green meadows here.
Poaching and rebuilding the reserve
Due to a lack of guarding, poaching increased at the end of the 20th century and thus many important animal species became extinct. But thanks to the South African organization “African Parks Foundation”, Majete was able to be transformed into a real animal sanctuary again. Numerous sponsors donated large sums of money to rebuild the reserve and to offer the animals adequate protection. Since 2003, the area has been the only official “Big Five” reserve in all of Malawi and a real insider tip for safari lovers. These big five include buffalo, elephant, rhinoceros, leopard and lion.
Great biodiversity in Majete National Park
The national park is now particularly famous for its huge herds of buffalo. But also numerous elephants, zebras, rare black rhinos, different antelope species, lions, leopards and hyenas roam the beautiful reserve.
The wildlife sanctuary can be visited all year round and is always worth a trip. Although only a slightly smaller part of the northeast is accessible to tourists, safaris are still worthwhile. The starting point is either the rustic “Thawale Lodge” or the particularly beautifully situated “Mkulumadzi Lodge”. But not only classic game viewing trips are offered in Majete National Park, bush walks and boat trips on the Shire River are becoming increasingly popular and booked more often. In the park itself there are fantastic opportunities for camping and staying overnight in the open air, so that you can be very close to nature and wild creatures.
Nyika National Park
A national park in several countries at the same time
The Nyika National Park is located in Africa and extends over two countries at the same time, this applies only to a few national parks worldwide, which makes the park a rarity. The national park connects the country of Malawi with the neighboring state of Zambia. The park has existed since 1965, the original name was “Malawi National Park”. The park is now one of the five largest national parks in Malawi; its name was changed to the current name in 1969. After a few extensions of the area, the park reached its final area of 3,214 km² in 1971. The closest city to the park is Rumphi. Various applications to declare the park a UNESCO World Heritage Site have been rejected to this day, as not all standards have been achieved.
A diverse flora and fauna
In Nyika National Park you will find an enormous selection of different animals and plants, which makes the park an exciting destination. Friends of nature in particular receive numerous interesting and instructive insights here. The park is home to 426 different species of birds, 47 species of reptiles, more than 30 species of amphibians and well over 200 species of butterflies can be found in the park. The number of different insects is so large that it is impossible to put a figure on them. Something similar can be said about mammals; here, too, no exact number of the different species can be given. It is estimated, however, that over 90 different mammals live in the national park. Exotic animals such as the plains zebra, the striped jackal or the Ethiopian green monkey can be named here.
Liwonde National Park
Established in 1973, Liwonde National Park is right at the end of Lake Malawi and lies on the banks of the Shire River. With a total area of around 580 km², it is a small idyll that is popular with tourists. Affordable accommodations are right on the edge of the park. From such a lodge, you can experience exciting safaris in the Liwonde National Park. Therefore it is one of the most famous excursion destinations in Malawi. Its additional proximity to Lake Malombe ensures that the visitor can experience fascinating flora and fauna. Marshes and grasslands provide a habitat for biodiversity, as do the forests, which are ideally located there due to the high groundwater level.
Why is Liwonde National Park worth visiting?
With German help, black rhinos were even released back into the wild. This endangered species finds the best conditions for survival and reproduction in the Liwonde National Park. A meeting with these giants in the wild will stay in your memory forever.
The landscape
Most of the area is forested, which is why the park residents always find shelter from the blazing sun. The mopane trees, which can reach heights of up to 12 meters, are the best guarantees for this.
Reed swamps and marshland frame the river and lake banks. The regular flooding is the reason for the nutrient-rich soil that forms the basis of the vast grasslands. The tall grass, the reeds and the thickets of foliage offer perfect hiding spots that ensure the survival of the prey.
Hills and small streams are typical of this area. Photographers will always find a wonderful motif at the watercourses, as animals use them as natural watering places.
Activities
You can discover the fascinating fauna on a game drive. Or you can go in search of clues with a guide on an exciting walking safari. Canoe tours on the Shire River offer another perspective in Liwonde National Park.
