Majete sits to the west of the Shire River in the Lower Shire Valley 70km south west of Blantyre. This area of Malawi is low lying and hot with the river winding it's way south through to Mozambique. The park covers around 70,000 ha and was first introduced to the western world by famour explorer, David Livingstone, in 1859 as he attempted to navigate the Shire River. The Capichira Falls blocked his journey, resulting in him moving inland towards Lake Malawi.
Historically, much of the game here had been badly poached and long ago migrated away or been hunted out. African Parks Network, a company based in South Africa, took over the management of Majete in 2003, sharing responsibility for conservation, rehabilitation and management with the Malawi government. The hope is that properly managed parks contribute to the economy of the country, provide jobs and improve infrastructure as well as conserving the wildlife.
In recent years Majete along with neighbouring Mwavbi has been re-juvinated with many species, including elephants, having been re-introduced and are settling in really well with the current population of around 250 animals. The reserve is mainly miombo woodland with thick forest patches along the river. As well as the elephants, there are many large antelope species here such as Sable, Kudu, Nyala, Waterbuck and Hartebeest. Other species present include Civet, Genet, Serval, Mongoose, Bushbaby, Porcupine, Aardvark, Hyaena, Warthog, Baboon and Monkey, Bushbuck, Impala, Duiker and Reedbuck. Birding is great in Majete with over 300 species.
This is a beautiful wilderness area,and has fabulous bird watching and walking and stunning scenery. Hike up nearby Majete Hill just outside the reserve and enjoy spectacular views. It's not to be visited for a 'big game' experience, although there are plans to introduce big cats by 2012 making it a 'big 5' reserve. Species recently introduced and hopefully multiplying in Majete include Black Rhino, there are also zebra, buffalo, hippo and crocodiles.
The park now has a couple of camps and more are being devloped with the infrastructure of road networks and support growing all the time. You can also experience rural Malawi village life and watch the traditional Gule Wamkulu dancers. There is a heritage and information centre at the park headquarters. Within the park are a few waterholes and hides to watch game up close.
Around 130,000 people live in the villages bordering Majete and the park projects include many community support programmes as well as providing jobs through tourism at the camps and odge in the area and as parks staff. Majete is committed to supporting community infrastructural projects such as boreholes, school classrooms, health clinics, livestock drinking troughs etc. Majete also supports disadvantaged students from the surrounding communities by paying their school fees through a scholarship programme. Environmental Education is promoted and Income Generating Activities are stimulated such as beekeeping enterprises, oyster mushroom cultivation, pottery making, tree nurseries and local handicrafts.
Thanks to Bentley Palmer for photos.
