14 Days - Northern Malawi and Zambian Safari Adventure

Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve

At 1,800 km2, Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve is Malawi’s oldest and largest reserve – a dense canopy woodland intersected by three major rivers leading to Lake Malawi. However, by 2014, years of ivory poaching had reduced the elephant population to a mere 100 animals; what was once a sanctuary for wildlife had become an empty, silent forest. To help realise a new vision to transform Nkhotakota into a sanctuary for wildlife and an asset for the people of Malawi, the Malawian Government invited African Parks in 2015 to sign a long-term agreement to partner with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) in the management of the reserve.

Since then, a number of historic reintroductions have taken place in Nkhotakota. Over 2016 and 2017, in one of the largest wildlife restoration initiatives to take place, 500 elephant and 2,000 other animals were introduced to Nkhotakota, followed by further introductions in 2022. These two significant events rekindled hope, not only for tourism and advancement of the surrounding communities, but for the very integrity of the reserve as an important wildlife habitat. With our well-trained and equipped ranger team, as well as strong community engagement, illegal hunting has become a thing of the past. Employment and enterprise activities, such as beekeeping, fish farming and chilli production, together with investment in education, healthcare, nutrition and infrastructure, are benefitting thousands of people. With Nkhotakota’s wildlife restored, tourism is helping to generate employment, livelihoods and revenue, and building long-lasting value for local communities. In just a few short years, Nkhotakota is on the road to hope and possibility.

Nkhotakota Highlights
Between 2016 and 2017, almost 500 elephant and 2,000 other animals were reintroduced with a further reintroduction of 800 animals of nine species in 2022.
Over 79,000 fruit and indigenous trees were planted by community members in 2023 in projects supported by African Parks.
Job creation and enterprise initiatives have improved the livelihoods of over 9,000 community members around the reserve.

Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi is the crowning jewel of this beautiful country. It is one of the largest, longest and deepest freshwater lakes in the world. Numerous fishing villages are scattered along its length but there are still vast stretches of uninhabited golden beaches. Known as ‘The Lake of Stars’, the natural beauty of Lake Malawi draws travellers from around the globe. It has more species of fish than any other freshwater lake in the world, boasting over 600 species of fish in the Lake Malawi National Park alone. The 590 kilometres long and 85 kilometres wide Lake is the third-largest lake in Africa, occupying one-fifth of Malawi’s total area. With a depth of 700 metres, it is incredibly deep with its lowest point reaching more than 200 metres below sea level. Visitors can look forward to spotting a myriad of wildlife in and around the lake including, hippos, crocodiles, fish eagles, and over 1000 species of brightly coloured endemic cichlid fish.

Livingstonia

Situated in the Northern Region district of Rumphi in Malawi, Livingstonia is set just inland  from the beautiful Lake Malawi. Aside from the Livingstonia Mission, built by Scottish  missionaries, the little town of Livingstonia does not have much on offer, what is of interest  are the resorts along the beach, which lies 12 kilometres to the east and the natural scenery  of the Nyika National Park to the west. Livingstonia provides a fascinating glimpse into  Malawi’s colonial past and boasts an old-world feel with its tree-lined main street fringed by 

colonial relics and offering incredible mountain views. Visit the local museum, view the old  church and stay at the surrounding permaculture farms. 

Ntchisi Forest Reserve

Ntchisi Forest Reserve covers approximately 75 sq km and is surrounded on all sides by rolling hills covered by subsistence farming and dotted with traditional villages. It is an untouched paradise, undiscovered by mass tourism.

Before it became a protected area, the forest was used as a refuge by the local Chewa tribe against attacks by the warring Ngonis in the 19th Century. Because the forest proved so vital as a shelter for people, it largely escaped the deforestation for firewood that has unfortunately decimated so much of Africa’s indigenous woodlands. It later became a designated Forest Reserve.

Ntchisi Forest Reserve contains some of the last remaining indigenous rainforest in Malawi. Some trees tower thirty metres overhead while lianas and strangler figs compete for the sunlight.

The lush vegetation is home to a plethora of orchids, as well as an abundant bird life, troops of samango monkey, baboons, hyenas and the odd bushbuck and bush pig. A black leopard has been sighted on the mountain near the lodge. The rainforest offers finds of strange fruits and colourful seed pods. In the rainy season it provides delicious mushrooms for guests’ dinner and pickles made from wild figs.

Montane forest and grassland provides a contrasting habitat of open forest and bush. It is excellent hiking and mountain biking territory and gives a stunning display of wildflowers each year when the rains start.

South Luangwa National Park

South Luangwa National Park: Renowned for its walking safaris, this park offers unmatched wildlife encounters. Spot leopards, lions, elephants, wild dogs, giraffes and a variety of bird species.