Majete reaches new heights in African Parks’ 2023 Annual Report

This year, African Parks celebrated 20 years of operation in Majete Wildlife Reserve. This milestone gave us an opportunity to reflect on the successes and challenges encountered over two decades of reviving the reserve. We wrote an article about it at the time here. While progress has been made, enhancing the resilience of local communities is an ongoing commitment, and managing wildlife within park boundaries to maintain species populations is a constant focus.

With over 12,000 large mammals now in the reserve, Majete’s success extends beyond its borders, supplying over 1,100 animals to help restore other Malawian parks since 2016. Today, Majete has emerged as a pioneer for large-scale wildlife reintroductions and is home to nearly 3,000 relocated animals from 17 species, including black rhino, elephant, lion, giraffe, cheetah and wild dog. To safeguard the park and gather crucial wildlife data, over 40 rangers and wildlife monitors have been employed, 350 km of road network developed and a long-range communication network for wildlife and security tracking implemented. As a result, no rhino or elephant have been poached since their reintroduction, while a 144 km predator-proof fence, maintained by full-time fence technicians, has drastically minimised human-wildlife conflict.

Biodiversity Conservation

Three new giraffe calves were born in 2023, bringing the total population to 30, the largest population in Malawi. The black rhino population also grew, with four healthy calves born – Majete’s third generation of rhino. Twelve wild dog pups were born in May, bringing the population to 23 and prompting a decision to donate five to the Wild Dog Range Expansion Programme. Majete’s lion population is flourishing, with over 70 individuals. To ensure the population doesn’t outgrow the available resources, a decision was made, through consultation with the Malawi Government and species experts, to start a contraception programme to minimise the population growth rate – 11 females have received temporary contraception so far.

Human-wildlife incidents dropped to the lowest level in several years. Farmers experiencing challenges from bushpigs and baboons are being supported to find solutions that they can implement themselves.

Tourism revenue increased by 49% since pre-Covid-19, generating US$ 759,087 for the park and making Majete the most economically successful protected area in Malawi, an achievement recognised by the Malawi Tourism Council. Of the total visitors, over 8,000 were local. To keep up with this visitor demand, two new safari tents were built at Thawale, as well as a new day visitor site in the park.

The 144 km predator-proof steel fence was completed after five years, replacing the wooden fence and greatly minimising human-wildlife conflict. Other construction included a dormitory at the Education Campsite for schoolchildren taking part in environmental education programmes, a new kitchen at Thawale, and renovation of several ranger and fence attendant outposts. Some 26 km of new roads were built, to facilitate fire management wildlife monitoring, and 403 km of existing roads were maintained.