Majete Wildlife Reserve
I’m happiest when I’m in the wild. For me, the wild isn’t a getaway—it’s where I belong. I grew up in South Africa, where safaris and the rhythm of nature became a second home. The bush will always feel like my truest refuge.
That’s why, when I arrived at Majete Wildlife Reserve, I knew this wasn’t going to be an ordinary trip. It’s funny how every safari camp has its own character, but this one felt different—more rustic, more remote, more isolated. Out here, you get the true African experience under a sky full of stars.
Majete Reserve is actually in southern Malawi, not Botswana. It sits in the Lower Shire Valley, about 70 km southwest of Blantyre
Once almost emptied by poaching, it now shelters over 12,000 large mammals
I had no idea that, years ago, poachers had taken everything from this place! Poachers had stripped the bush bare—the animals vanished, the land nearly forgotten. It wasn’t until 2003 that African Parks stepped in and began bringing wildlife back—piece by piece, species by species.
Black rhinos were reintroduced in 2003, elephants in 2006, lions in 2012, giraffes in 2018, cheetahs in 2019, and wild dogs in 2021.
Majete has its own airstrip, and small propeller aircraft often land there for incoming guests
Every morning began with a kettle on the fire and coffee beans roasting over the flames
Game drives are typically morning and late afternoon, about 2–3 hours per drive
The Shire River. The explorer David Livingstone described it in the 1850s as “wild, rushing, and full of promise,” calling it a gateway into the heart of Africa
Shire (pronounced Shee-reh) means something like “flow” or “riverbed” in Chichewa. It’s Malawi’s largest river, and it eventually drains into the Zambezi in Mozambique
Majete isn’t glutted with safari vehicles like more famous parks
Expect to encounter the Big Five—elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, buffalo—alongside cheetahs, wild dogs, giraffes, hippos, and a variety of antelopes
You set off in the early morning or late afternoon (animals are more active then), in an open 4×4 with a guide. Drives last about 2 to 3 hours
Majete’s elephants love browsing in riparian woodlands, followed by acacia and miombo (Brachystegia) forests
Many African traditions link the marula tree to blessings from ancestors
There’s something almost mythical about sitting around a campfire in the African bush
Night drives bring out the bush’s nocturnal cast—hyenas, genets, even elusive aardvarks or owls
In early September, the sun sets around 5:40 PM, with the sky softening into twilight by around 6:01 PM
For dinner, they served nsima—a thick maize porridge that’s basically Malawi’s staple food pairing it with relishes—vegetables, nyama (meat), or samp
At Majete, nights are alive in ways you don’t expect. The camp is unfenced, so the bush comes right up to your doorstep
Nets are lifesavers, draping you in protection through balmy, buggy nights
The Shire River is named from the local Chichewa/ChiNyanja language, not Tolkien’s “Shire”!
Hippo Tracks
Nyala Tracks
Nyala Bull
In African folktales, if you hear the call of a lilac-breasted roller, the rainbow bird, you should make a wish—it will bring good luck!
Lilac-breasted roller
Among the Shona people, picking up a smooth stone from the African bush and carrying it in your pocket was thought to invite love and keep danger away
Day trips: a standard game drive is about $30, sundowner drives around $35
Mbatata crisps and a selection of local beer and wine at sunset
Amarula hails from South Africa, made by blending cream, sugar, and the fruit of the African marula tree (aka the elephant or marriage tree)
Locals believe baobabs carry ancient spirits; laying your hand on its trunk is thought to bring strength, resilience, and even fertility
In Malawi, people sometimes toss the first sip of beer or the first drop of water onto the ground—an offering to the ancestors, asking for safe travels and good fortune
Majete is prized for hosting the Big Five all year round—elephants, lions, leopards, rhino, and buffalo
Majete features extensive miombo woodlands, interspersed with riparian forests along riverbanks and rugged granite hills
The Pwadzi Spring viewing platform
The park has 250–300 bird species
Hearing a fish eagle is a powerful omen of protection – it is considered the “voice of Africa.”
Solar-powered lighting illuminates the evenings without disrupting the bush’s tranquillity
The sleek Mkulumadzi Lodge opened its doors in 2011
The Shire River is Majete’s lifeline. Practically every animal drinks from it—elephants, buffalo, antelope, hippos, crocodiles, even predators like lions and leopards who lurk near the banks for prey
Their chalets are powered by solar electricity, with backup generators for cloudy days
Baboons are curious, opportunistic eaters—and yes, they can go for your jewelry! Most often, though, they’re looking for food
Mkulumadzi Lodge:
US $520 per person/night (peak season)
US $385 per person/night (low season)
In Kongo tradition, the rain goddess Bunzi is a serpent spirit tied to rainbows and healthy harvests—a figure that lingers in rivers at sunset
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