Nkhotakota Game Reserve

Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve located in the central region of Malawi is the oldest and largest reserve in Malawi. The rugged terrain ranges from an altitude of 500m in the east to 1,614m  at the summit of Chipata Mountain, and the plateau is dotted with streams and waterfalls. The main part of the reserve is Miombo woodland with patches of tall grass. The summit of Chipata Mountain is covered by an evergreen forest. This 1,800 sq km reserve once contained as many as 1,500 elephants but with poaching the population was reduced to fewer than 100 elephants by 2015, and other key species had largely been hunted out.   In 2016 and 2017 more than 500 elephants and almost 2,000 game animals including sable, waterbuck, kudu and impala were moved from Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve to Nkhotakota.  This was one of the largest relocations of elephants ever recorded in the history of the world. This created Malawi’s premier elephant sanctuary in Nkhotakota and restoring the park to its former glory.  The park also offers a wide range of activities, including fishing, canoeing and rafting. The Bua River, which flows through the reserve, is home to lake salmon and offers exciting catch-and-release fishing. On boat trips, you may see countless elephants bathing on the riverbanks. Or on walking safaris, explore the pristine African wilderness with an armed guide, pursuing animal tracks and observing the many species of plants. Alternatively, climb Chipata Mountain, the highest peak, and you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Nkhotakota across the horizon.