Majete Wildlife Reserve in Malawi Celebrates a Significant Milestone - 10 Years of Conservation Progress

Majete Wildlife Reserve, a public private partnership between the Government of Malawi and non-profit conservation organisation African Parks, has celebrated 10 years of conservation progress that has seen the revitalisation of the 700 km² area from one devoid of wildlife to a thriving wildlife sanctuary. The 25-year partnership for the rehabilitation, development and management of the reserve was entered into by the two parties in 2003.

Over the course of just 10 years, Majete has been restocked with more than 2 500 animals including the Big Five - lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant – and been transformed into Malawi’s flagship wildlife reserve. At the same time, the reserve’s Big Five status, the diversity of both its wildlife and its birdlife, and the spectacular scenery provided by the Shire River and the Kapachira Falls have all served to boost tourism numbers, increase revenues from a range of tourism experiences and offerings and, in the process, boost local economic development.

The milestone celebrations at Majete were attended by dignitaries and stakeholders including the Malawi Minister of Tourism and Culture, the Hon Rachael Mazombwe-Zulu; the Director of National Parks and Wildlife, Mr Brighton Kumchedwa; Paramount Chief Lundu, MPs; African Parks Majete board members, donors and local chiefs.

During her address, the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture, the Hon Rachael Mazombwe-Zulu paid tribute to the African Parks model and its success at Majete: "It is a known fact that the African Parks management model has enjoyed a strong public support. It is therefore not surprising that the names ‘Majete” and ‘African Parks’ are established brand names in Malawi with high public and political recognition and support,’ she said.