Majete Wildlife Reserve
Malawi

Big 5 - black rhino, elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo.

Cheetah, African wild dog (painted wolf), hyena, sable and roan antelope, hippopotamus, crocodile, giraffe, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, eland, Sharpe’s grysbok, suni and commonly seen species such as warthog, impala, zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, common duiker, kudu, nyala and bushbuck.

Smaller species include side-striped jackal, honey badger, aardvark, aardwolf, pangolin and several species of mongoose.

Birds - over 300 bird species – including African skimmer, rock pratincole, Arnot’s and boulder chats, racket-tailed roller, Pel’s fishing owl, cuckoo hawk, and Böhm's bee-eater.

• Bird list for Majete WR

• iNaturalist sightings for Majete WR

• Open all year round;

• Rainy season - November to March - hot and humid. The bushveld is green and thick, making game viewing more difficult. Many species have babies (easy targets for predators), and migrating birds are here to breed;

• Dry season - April to October- milder temperatures (but September and October can be very hot) and little or no rain. The bushveld is brown and dry, making it easier to see wildlife.

The lower Shire River valley is renowned for its towering granite hills, open savannahs and beautiful miombo woodlands. Two giant rivers – the gentle Mkulumadzi River and the mighty Shire River – converge in Majete on their journey from Lake Malawi further north to join the Zambezi River and, finally, the Indian Ocean.

Majete offers a variety of activities, including:

• morning and afternoon game drives - self-drive or guided;

• Nakamba Hide sleep-out (only from Game Capture Camp);

• community guide (accompanying in your private car) - including bird specialists;

• community visit and cultural dancing performance (4-8 guests per group); and

• explore the far reaches of the reserve – the areas of Pwadzi and Pende – on specialised game drives
  

Note that some activities are included in your daily rate, and others are optional extras. Refer to each lodge and campsite's 'Safari activities' section for details.

Guests can enjoy meals at the Mwembezi Restaurant and use its adjacent swimming pool. The restaurant offers breakfast and lunch menus, and dinners can be had if arranged in advance. It is situated at the reserve’s main entrance and has a small shop where basic travel amenities and curios can be bought.

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Nearest city + major airport: Blantyre 70km / up to 2 hours by road.

By road: vehicles are available for hire in Blantyre. From Blantyre, take the road to Chikhwawa and follow the signs to Majete Wildlife Reserve. In Chikhwawa, turn right at the T-junction. The all-season dirt road from Chikhwawa Boma to the park is about 20 km and suitable for all vehicle types although we recommend a 4x4 vehicle during the wet months. Journey length +/- 1.5-2 hours.

By air: Majete has an airstrip, and charters can be booked with a local provider. Prior landing permission is required.

Malaria area: Yes

Majete is a malaria area. The biggest threat is during the rainy season (November to March), but appropriate precautions are advised throughout the year. Cover your arms, legs and feet from dusk to dawn and use mosquito repellent. Please consult your travel doctor about malaria prophylaxis.

Yellow fever area: No

Malawi is not a yellow fever area. Vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with a risk for yellow fever virus transmission. Please consult your travel doctor before travelling for relevant updates.

Water

Water at Majete is from boreholes and is safe to drink, but bottled water is available at the camps.

Medical emergencies

Majete is a remote area - please ensure you have evacuation insurance in case of medical emergencies. African Parks utilises the following emergency evacuation service: SATIB24 (Nyasa Express Charter = Air Ambulance).

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Tourist hubs Lilongwe (capital city) + Blantyre.

Languages English + Chichewa (learn a few key phrases).

Time zone GMT + 2 hours.

Currency Malawian Kwacha. Exchange bureaus are available in Lilongwe and Blantyre. Credit Card facilities are increasingly available but still not common. ATMs are available in most major towns around Malawi.

Visas Enter your details here for visa and other requirements.

Plugs Type G plugs (three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern). 230V and 50Hz.

Power Malawi is subject to regular power failures - pack a torch and headlamp.

Mobile phones SIM cards can be purchased cheaply in Lilongwe, Blantyre and large towns. Malawi has very good phone coverage and internet coverage BUT internet speed is very slow.

Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi is the fifth largest freshwater lake in the world and a popular inland beach destination as a finale to top off that exhilarating wildlife safari.

Majete Wildlife Reserve & Liwonde National Park

Majete and Liwonde are two of Africa’s greatest conservation success stories and premier Big-5 safari destinations for responsible travellers.

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