Mangochi Forest Reserve is a vital ecological catchment and an important dispersal area for elephant and other species.
Adjoining Liwonde National Park, Mangochi Forest Reserve is a critical ecological catchment that serves as an important distribution area for elephant and other species in this region of Malawi. Despite years of decline, this reserve is still home to a small population of elephant, a breeding population of leopard, and uniquely occurring bird and butterfly species.
In 2018, the Government of Malawi and African Parks extended its management partnership in Liwonde to incorporate the contiguous 358 km² Mangochi so that the entire area is now 903 km2. It is an important addition to Liwonde, increasing the managed protected area by 65% and a significant step in the long-term conservation of these two areas, enhancing the ability to secure biodiversity and to promote a conservation economy for local communities.
The full spectrum of African Parks’ operations in Liwonde, including conservation and habitat management, conservation law enforcement, community engagement and socio-economic development extends to Mangochi Forest Reserve to achieve our vision for the reserve and the area. As a result, Liwonde and Mangochi have re-emerged as sanctuaries for both people and wildlife.
Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) is the statutory organisation in charge of national parks, wildlife reserves and sanctuaries as well as wildlife management on communal lands in Malawi. African Parks began its partnership with DNPW in Majete Wildlife Reserve in 2003, in Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve and Liwonde National Park in 2015, and Mangochi Forest Reserve in 2018.
PartnersSince 2022, several species have been translocated from the adjoining Liwonde National Park to Mangochi to boost populations and fast track restoration and biodiversity. These include impala, sable, warthog and waterbuck. Kudu and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest were also translocated to Mangochi from Majete Wildlife Reserve.
To mitigate human-wildlife conflict, in 2022 the entire Liwonde-Mangochi boundary fence was completed, resulting in reduced conflict and lives saved. While illegal tree felling in Mangochi Forest Reserve remains relatively high, intensive protection measures and community engagement are beginning to take effect.
In 2019, the reserve was endorsed with further conservation status when it was included in The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, a unique network of forest conservation initiatives committed to raising awareness of the value of indigenous forests.
The people living around Mangochi have begun to benefit from the extension of Liwonde’s programmes in education, enterprise initiatives and healthcare. Income-generating activities contribute to the livelihoods of more people each year. The Happy Readers Programme has been rolled out to six more schools in the Mangochi District.
Liwonde and Mangochi are at the centre of a major economic hub in southern and eastern Malawi. Tourism revenue has increased in Liwonde, and the aim is to extend the experience into Mangochi. To that end, a 4x4 track was developed leading to the historic Fort Mangochi. This will hopefully become a major tourist attraction for the area when tourist access to the reserve is formalised.
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