The miombo woodland
Twisted trunks and golden grass.
Geoff Gallice from Gainesville, FL, USA — CC BY 2.0 · Geoff Gallice from Gainesville, FL, USA — CC BY 2.0 · Geoff Gallice from Gainesville, FL, USA — CC BY 2.0 · Geoff Gallice from Gainesville, FL, USA — CC BY 2.0 · Geoff Gallice from Gainesville, FL, USA — CC BY 2.0
Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve is the largest and oldest in Malawi, in hilly country near Lake Malawi. Miombo woodland and wet grassy dambos cover it, and it received a major elephant move, suiting anyone after quiet wilderness. It long suffered from charcoal burning, logging and poaching, which greatly reduced its elephants and large mammals. In 2012 the Global Environment Facility invested $850,000 in its management. African Parks took over in 2015 under a 20-year agreement. In 2016 and 2017 about 500 elephants were moved here from Liwonde and Majete, in a $1.6 million project. You travel red dirt roads through miombo trees with twisted trunks, with golden grass under light branches. From the hills you look over rolling slopes, rocky tops and open hillsides. The woods have small camps. Animals are scattered in this thick country, so seeing them is harder than in open savanna. The reserve's mapped point is 31.6 km in a straight line west of Nkhotakota town and 130 km north of Lilongwe. Bring a four-wheel drive and enough food, as services are few. Stay with your guide, keep away from elephants, and ask your doctor about malaria. Nights may be cool on the hills, and ask about roads in the rainy season.
Twisted trunks and golden grass.
Slopes and rocky tops.
A recent conservation story.
West of Nkhotakota town, central Malawi
It is harder than in savanna, as the woodland is thick, and quiet is its strength.
Yes, it lies west of Nkhotakota town, close to the lake.