Majete is an incredible conservation success story – less than 20 years ago it was nearly devoid of wildlife, but now it is one of Malawi’s premier Big Five parks with thriving animal populations and plentiful birdlife.
It is truly off-the-beaten-track; a completely unspoilt wilderness destination offering a sense of total serenity, far away from the tourist crowds.
Experience the “warm heart of Africa” by meeting and interacting with the local communities, learning more about their traditional lifestyle from sampling traditional foods to enjoying local dancing.
Guests have the opportunity to go on guided walks and explore the reserve’s spectacular and diverse landscape on foot, encountering wildlife along the way.
Situated only an hour and a half’s drive from Blantyre, this is the perfect reserve for day visitors. Day visitors can enjoy the newly refurbished Mwembezi Restaurant and cool off between wildlife encounters in the Heritage Swimming pool.
Although Majete is open all year-round, the weather conditions vary considerably depending on season. The wet season occurs from November to March and is when Malawi receives most of its seasonal rains. It is hot and humid with thick lush vegetation. In contrast, the dry season runs from April to October when the bush gets increasingly less green and temperatures are mild to very hot come October. Rain is unlikely from June – October. Temperatures range from 11 to 40 degrees Celsius, with July being the coolest, and October/November being the hottest.
The park offers its guests a variety of activities including:
Please see Accommodation & Rates below for additional detail.
The reserve’s gates open daily from 06h00 – 18h00. There are several facilities for day visitors to enjoy, including a Heritage and Education Centre that houses a small museum and also sells a range of local curios. Mwembezi Restaurant is located below the Heritage Centre overlooking a busy waterhole, where wildlife regularly comes to drink. Here, visitors can enjoy light meals and drinks and cool down in the swimming pool next to the restaurant. The community campsite has braai facilities where day visitors are welcome to have picnics.
Reserve Entry Fees are:
*Children under 6 years are free of charge
Vehicle Entry Fees: $4
It is best to consult with your medical provider regarding recommended and required vaccines for visitors to Malawi. In general, a traveler should consider tetanus, polio, typhoid and hepatitis vaccinations prior to arrival. Yellow fever immunisation is generally only needed if visitors are entering Malawi from a yellow fever endemic country. please consult a travel doctor prior to travelling to get any relevant updates.
Malaria is present and appropriate precautions are advised.
Water at Majete is from a borehole and is safe to drink, but bottled water is available at all facilities.
Malawi is well known for its warm and welcoming people and the opportunity to engage with local communities is likely to be a highlight of your stay. When taking photos of people and their surroundings, it is best to ask for permission first. Handouts are also generally discouraged, as there are community outreach programmes in place.
The official language of Malawi is English, although the local language of Chichewa is spoken by close to 60 percent of the population, particularly those that live outside of the urban centres.
All travellers need to be in possession of a valid passport, but visitors from a number of countries do not require a visa. This includes visitors from Belgium, Commonwealth countries, Denmark, Italy, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Spain, San Marino, Sweden, Liechtenstein and the USA. Visitors from most other countries may be issued a visa on arrival, but this should be confirmed before travelling. View visa information here.
US dollars, euros, pounds and the South African rand are widely accepted in Malawi. The local currency is the Malawi Kwacha and can be obtained at the airport, or from ATMs (Visa only) or local banks. Visa credit cards are becoming more widely accepted, but not typically in remote areas.
Majete is home to an abundance of wild animals including the Big Five, so there is a set of rules and regulations that all visitors must read before entering the reserve. Indemnity forms must also be signed at the main entrance gate.
For those who would like to drive to the park, vehicles are available for hire in Blantyre. From Blantyre, take the road to Chikhwawa and follow the signs to Majete Wildlife Reserve. In Chikhwawa, turn right at the T-junction. The all-season dirt road from Chikhwawa Boma to the park is about 20 km, and can be driven throughout the year, although a 4x4 vehicle is recommended during the wet months. The journey takes about an hour and a half.
For those who prefer to fly, Majete has an airstrip, and charters can be booked with a local provider. Prior permission is required before an aircraft can land at the park’s airstrip.
Visiting the parks is one of the best ways to support conservation, communities, and the long-term future of these wild areas. Use the link below to plan your visit today! Please make sure to provide your name, contact details, desired camp, trip dates, number of guests and any other relevant information.