Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve, situated in a low-lying area to the south west of Nyika Plateau, and joining the Zambian Luangwa eco-system (South Luangwa park and Vwaza are about 60km apart), has permanent water, open floodplains and hilly woodlands. Animals seen here include many elephant and buffalo plus lion, puku and kudu as well as exceptional birdlife. There are predators at Vwaza but they are few, hopefully, recent increases in herbivore populations will also increase the numbers of lion, leopard and hyena. African wild dogs sometimes pass through, probably coming from Zambia but are very rarely seen.
Much of the reserve is flat and covered with Mopane and Miombo woodland, but the eastern side is hilly and the reserve is rich in wetlands. These wetlands provide a haven for animals and birdlife. Kazuni Safari Camp is in a spectacular setting on the edge of Lake Kazuni. In front of the camp an expanse of flat water spreads out surrounded by low hills and Miombo woodland, with plenty of animals coming down to enjoy the water.
Vwaza is excellent for walking safaris and short bush walks or longer hikes can be undertaken here. In a single day 50-60 bird species can be seen with the reserve totally over 250 species. Osprey, fish eagles, Palm-nut vultures and Martial eagles are regular visitors.
The marsh is fed by the Hewe River from the Nyika Plateau and emptied by the Luwewe River, both perennial. The South Rukuru fills Lake Kazuni in the south-east of the reserve. The lake and deep river channels are filled with hippo - probably about 600 of them - while the flood plains of both provide grazing for the herbivores. Uyuzi Hill, not far from Kazuni Safari Camp, gives some excellent views of the South Rukuru River, Lake Kazuni and the rest of the reserve.
Human habitation here has been traced to the Iron age and unfortunately, elephants were poached for trading with the Arabs and then the area was targetted by hunters around the 1940s. Hunting and poaching still continued under different controls until finally in 1977 the land was gazetted as a game reserve.
Efforts to try and help local communities and combat poaching have allowed villagers to utilise some of the reserve's resources. Honey, fish, and grass for thatching can be harvested in a controlled way. This has proved to show an improvement in relations between the reserve's management and local communities.
