Malawi’s largest and oldest reserve, a rugged miombo wilderness on the lake escarpment. Under African Parks it became the site of a landmark project that moved more than 500 elephants here — one of the largest such translocations ever — alongside buffalo, antelope and reintroduced predators.
Ratings
Wildlife Density: ★★★☆☆ Infrastructure: ★★★☆☆ Photography: ★★★★☆
Adventure: ★★★★☆ Exclusivity: ★★★★☆ Price: $ Scenery: ★★★★☆
Key wildlife: Elephant, buffalo, antelope, predators (recovering), birds
Best for: Wilderness, walking & river safaris, conservation story
Best time: June–November (dry season)
Where to stay: Bua River Lodge reopens 1 August 2026 right on the riverbank inside the reserve, under new ownership — read our feature on it.
Wildlife & Ecology
Dense miombo and river valleys provide habitat for elephant, buffalo, sable, kudu, waterbuck, leopard and many birds. The thick vegetation and steep terrain make wildlife less visible here than at Liwonde or Majete.
Best Time to Visit
May to October is dry and best for roads, walking and river activities. The rains make access difficult and some camps close, although the woodland becomes lush.
Conservation & Community
Roughly 500 elephant were moved from Liwonde and Majete in 2016–17, alongside more than 2,000 other animals, with further translocations following in 2022. African Parks has managed the reserve with Malawi’s wildlife authority since 2015.
Activities
Guided walks, hiking, birding, canoeing or river trips at selected camps, and conservation-focused outings supplement standard drives.
How to Get There
The reserve is about three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half hours by road from Lilongwe, depending on the gate and camp. Final roads are gravel and can be rough, while charter flights to local strips may be arranged through lodges.