Malawi ups its game for wildlife tourism

THE EMERGENCE of Malawi's wildlife has been boosted with a government-approved deal under which African Parks (AP) will manage Liwonde National Park and Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve for the next 20 years. 

AP is a non-profit organization that takes responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. It aims to combine world-class conservation practice with business expertise. Over the past decade, it has transformed Malawi's Majete #WildlifeReserve from a neglected, rarely-visited reserve to a major tourist destination.

It will invest £11.6 million in the Liwonde National Park and the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve.

The 211-square mile Liwonde National Park in southern #Malawi comprises woodland, floodplains, grasslands, and lagoons and supports the largest remaining population of elephants in the country as well as one of two populations of black rhino. Other mammal species include hippo, hyena, buffalo, warthog, antelope, and more than 400 bird species. Lions were once commonplace and the healthy populations of other large mammals will allow for the re-introduction of predators.

First actions for Liwonde include fencing the entire 80-mile perimeter of the park, starting elephant patrols to push them back into the park, and re-stocking extinct species including cheetah and wild dogs.

In a less mature state than Liwonde, the 694-square mile Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve in the central region of Malawi is a major catchment area for Lake Malawi. Although a depleted park, it still has remnant populations of elephant, warthog, baboon, various antelope species, and 280 bird species. Well managed, it has the potential to become an important area for elephant conservation. in Malawi. Black rhino, lion, cheetah, and wild dog once existed but all are now locally extinct.

Priorities for Nkhotakota are the creation of infrastructure including park offices, 90 miles of access roads, and increasing anti-poaching patrols. Plans are in place for re-locating wildlife – including 400 elephants and 600 general antelope species – to the reserve.
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