Majete

Majete Wildlife Reserve, covering approximately 700 square kilometres in Malawi’s south west, is a mosaic of undulating hills, grassy plains, and mixed woodlands punctuated by star chestnut and mahogany trees. Anchored by the Shire River, its varied terrain supports a rich tapestry of life. Originally gazetted in the 1950s, today, Majete is a revitalised space of biodiversity, with good populations of elephant, lion, giraffe, and African wild dog, alongside sable antelope, kudu, and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest. Its rich avifauna includes the African pitta and racket-tailed roller.

Majete Wildlife Reserve was African Parks’ first mandate, signed in partnership with the government of Malawi in 2003. Infrastructure development began, while collaborative relationships were established with the communities that surround the reserve. Then reintroductions of previously depleted wildlife began to be rolled out: rhino in 2003, followed by elephant in 2006, lion in 2012, giraffe in 2018, cheetah in 2019, and wild dog in 2021. Thanks to these, along with effective conservation law enforcement measures, wildlife numbers increased significantly and by 2016, Majete was able to supply wildlife to other parks in Malawi.

Majete has come a long way in the last 20-plus years – from a sink to a source of value, providing hundreds of jobs and supporting thousands of community members with education, health and socio-economic opportunities. Its thriving flora and fauna have helped to put Malawi on the map as a coveted wildlife destination. Majete’s restoration and its role as the pilot site for Verifiable Nature Units (VNUs) demonstrate how strong partnerships with government and communities, combined with innovative financing, can lead to effective and sustainable solutions for safeguarding protected areas.

• Majete has been a pioneer for large-scale wildlife reintroductions with over 3,000 animals belonging to 17 species reintroduced over 20 years. Births of wild dog pups, and giraffe and black rhino calves have provided evidence of these species thriving.
• Majete Wildlife Reserve, local communities, government and African Parks celebrated 20 years of partnership in 2023.
• By the end of 2024, 202 VNUs were issued in Majete, showcasing the potential of this mechanism to incentivise and sustain nature conservation.
• Not one rhino or elephant has been poached since 2003 and 2006 respectively, thanks to effective conservation law enforcement and community engagement
• 23,000 indigenous trees were planted in villages and schools over 2024.
• To promote biodiversity awareness, 37 Wildlife Clubs have been created and around 2,500 school children visit the reserve annually.

Malawi Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) is the statutory organisation in charge of national parks, wildlife reserves and sanctuaries as well as wildlife management on communal lands in Malawi. Work began with the DNPW in Majete Wildlife Reserve in 2003, and in Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve and Liwonde National Park in 2015.