Majete is the best conservation story in Malawi. By the early 2000s poaching had emptied it — the elephant were gone entirely. African Parks took it on in 2003 as their first project anywhere, restocked it species by species, and returned lion in 2012, completing the Big Five.
Today it covers around 700 square kilometres of miombo woodland in the Lower Shire Valley, and it is the most reliable place in the country to see elephant, buffalo and lion in one visit. Because relatively few visitors reach it, you often have sightings to yourself in a way that is no longer possible in the well-known East African parks.
It is close enough to Blantyre to work as a day trip, though staying overnight gets you the early and late drives when the animals actually move.
Best time to visit Majete Wildlife Reserve
June to October
The Lower Shire is hot, and the dry months drive animals to permanent water where they are easy to find. September and October give the best game viewing but temperatures regularly pass 35°C. The green season from December to March is quieter and cheaper, with excellent birding.
Getting there
About an hour and a half from Blantyre. It is the most accessible Big Five reserve in Malawi and the one we use for day safaris out of the city.