Malawi & Mozambique
Destinations
Nyika National Park
Nyika National Park, in the northern region, is the largest and oldest National Park in Malawi . This is big sky country: rolling montane grasslands, seemingly endless, are splashed with hundreds of wild flower species ( more than 200 orchid species ).
You’ll think you’re in another world – maybe Scotland – and not in Africa as you cross the valleys, thickets, streams and evergreen forests and enjoy views of 50 miles. If you visit between June and August, bring warm clothing! There are frosts at night.
The bracing cool climate and unpopulated heights ( above 2000 metres ) of the Nyika Plateau are home to countless birds, eland, zebra, roan antelope, jackals, hyenas, reedbuck, warthogs and one of the largest populations of leopard in central Africa. The Plateau is also a marvellous walking country. Senga Bay is regarded as one of the best beaches in the region.
llha de Mozambique
llha de Mozambique is one of the World’s Heritage Sites. It is from this tiny Island that modern Mozambique got it’s name, llha de Mozambique is a cultural melting pot: African, Arabian and Portuguese. Walk through the small streets and mix with the local people.
Fresh sea food is bought directly from the fishermen, llha de Mozambique is practically a living museum, for this tiny town exhibits the many influences that have moulded Mozambique . The decaying grandeur of its architecture has prompted the United Nations to declare the Northern half of the island a World Heritage Site
Manda Wilderness Project
Manda Wilderness Project – Malawi: is the first community and wildlife based conservation project on the shores of Lake Niassa . The foundation in association with the local chiefs and Provincial Government, have established a community game reserve of 100,000 hectares.
This land preserves forever the wildlife and fantastic scenery of Northern Niassa . Your extraordinary stay at the lodge will benefit and support the people living in this area of Mozambique , through community run development projects. This is tourism at it’s most ethical.
The Quirimbas Archipelago
Description
The Quirimbas Archipelago is a collection of 32 pristine coral islands, including historic Ibo Island. The 11 most southern of these are part of the Quirimbas National Park please link to the Conservation page within this site
Relatively undiscovered by tourists, this archipelago is a nature-lover?s paradise. Water temperatures stay at 27-28 degrees Celsius year round, so there is no excuse not to explore the abundant marine life.
Divers can discover turtles, tiger sharks, manta rays, and even the rare dugong in the Quirimbas, which is considered one of the most biodiverse reefs in the world. From July to January, humpback whales can be seen in the Quirimbas? deeper channels.
The largest of the islands in the Quirimbas is Ibo Island, which was one of the most powerful trading hubs along East Africa. This atmospheric island ? with its tree-lined streets and crumbling historic buildings – offers a step back into time.
Visitors can wander through labyrinthine alleys to discover three old Portuguese forts, the whitewashed Church of Senhora Rosario which dates from the 1500s, and remnants of the palatial homes: evidence of the island?s former wealth and status.
Today, local silversmiths, based in the main fort, continue to use ancient Arab techniques and designs
Niassa Reserve
Description
Niassa Reserve is one of the largest protected miombo forest ecosystems in the world and contains by far the greatest concentration of wildlife in the country.
Relatively undiscovered by tourists, this archipelago is a nature-lover?s paradise. Water temperatures stay at 27-28 degrees Celsius year round, so there is no excuse not to explore the abundant marine life.
Located in the two Northern Mozambican Provinces of Cabo Delgado and Niassa, the Niassa Reserve?s core area of 22,000 km? is bordered by Rovuma River in the north (bordering Tanzania) and the Lugenda, Luatize River and Lussanhando rivers.
A buffer area of 20,000 km?, which is divided in management concessions for hunting tourism, is also part of the Reserve. The total area is twice the size of Kruger National Park in South Africa and comparable in size to Wales, Denmark, or Massachusetts.
Bordering Tanzania?s Selous Game Reserve, the Niassa Reserve is also part of one of the largest cross-border eco-systems in Africa; elephants freely migrate between the two parks in the dry season.
Today, local silversmiths, based in the main fort, continue to use ancient Arab techniques and designs
Northern Mozambique
Description
Northern Mozambique is one of the World’s last remaining unspoiled destinations. Encompassing three provinces (Cabo Delgado, Niassa, and Nampula) with a total area of 280,000 km2, Northern Mozambique is a nature-lover’s paradise.
It is an untouched area dotted with majestic baobab trees and wild mangrove forests. (Six species of mangroves occur in Northern Mozambique alone.) And it offers unique species such as the dugong – the rare sea cow found along the coast – and the colourful cyclids, found only in Lake Niassa.
The enormous Niassa Reserve – twice the size of Kruger Park – is home to elephant, sable antelope, lion, leopard, spotted hyena, and African wild dog.
North of Pemba, the port capital of Cabo Delgado Province, curious elephants wander right up to the beach. And the newly created Quirimbas National Park offers ample opportunity to spot the African fish eagle while kayaking along the narrow waterways of the mangroves
We urge you to uncover all that this unique and untouched part of Africa has to offer. And Chaka adventure safaris hope to be your company to offer you the tour by showing you the best – lodges, activities, itineraries, and attractions – that this region has to offer.
Mozambique is a melting pot of different cultures and traditions and is one of the most exciting heritage destinations on the continent.
Ravaged by civil war for more than ten years, all the villages run down and burnt, all the people fled to neighbouring countries like Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia. Peace have returned to this land and with it the people, it?s amazing to see people picking up their lives once again and making it work.
Investments have come back to Mozambique and with it progress which you can simply see where ever you go. All the new settlements are an indication of the native Mozambicans coming back home
Niassa Reserve
Currently, Niassa Reserve caters primarily to hunting tourism, although within these concessions, photographic safaris are offered. With a rich and diverse collection of wildlife (including elephant, sable antelope, lion, leopard, spotted hyena, and African wild dog), the Reserve offers significant potential for eco-tourism.
The area is also rich in cultural and historical attractions – religious monuments such as Mecula Mountain with its sacred hot springs, the region?s historical link to Dr. Livingstone and the old slaving routes, and its ancient rock paintings, many of which lie undiscovered by tourists. The region?s majestic inselbergs (prominent granite formations rising from the plains) provide a unique backdrop to this last wilderness of Africa
Napula
Nampula is the commercial heart of Mozambique, with banks, hotels, tennis clubs, supermarkets and large glass-fronted stores selling expensive motorcars.
This modern town, tucked in the rolling hills and rising mountains of the interior, was established as a centre in 1967 when the Portuguese government transferred the army headquarters from Mozambique Island to here.
The geography is quite different here from the rest of the country. Huge volcanic granite rocks – icebergs – protrude from the earth creating the most amazing, dramatic landscapes.
Historically the Nampula province has a lot to tell; the settlement of the Portuguese on Ilha de Mozambique, the great natural port of Nacala and the centralized position of the province means it acts as a hub for Southern Africa. The country side is beautiful, and fertile, the sea side areas are stunning. Nacala Bay and the surrounding area is a rare jewel and offer fantastic diving
North of Pemba extends some of Mozambique?s most pristine coastline ? where elephants still roam and the African bush meets the soft white beach. The Quirimbas National Park extends a good 120 kilometers north of Pemba.
Beyond the park?s boundaries is an innovative initiative, Maluane, to protect and promote 33,000 hectares of a wildlife safari area, a coastal strip and three Indian Ocean islands.
Considered the last stretch of unspoilt wilderness on the East African coast, this region offers coral reefs, mangrove forests, beaches and islands, and large tracts of inland forest and savannah. Thick baobabs grow next to the azure sea where wooden dhows go about their business
Lake Malawi Marine Park
Description
Lake Malawi National Park was only designated a National Park in 1980 was established at the southern end of the Lake to protect the unique diversity of tropical fish living there, some not found anywhere else on earth. The National Park is the most important freshwater fish sanctuary in Africa and it was the first park in the world to give protection to the marine life of a tropical deep water, Rift Valley Lake.
The Nankhumba Peninsula, forms the centrepiece of a miniature archipelago of twelve islands, and encompasses Cape Maclear, where scuba diving and snorkeling are popular activities. The underwater game viewing experience matches anything that the land has to offer. The natural habitats has resulted in an extraordinary concentration of different species of plants, animals and birds, quite asides from the hundreds of species of fish that can be found in the region, the most famous of which is the Mbuna Chichlids.
Accommodation
The is a variety of lakeshore accommodation in this area.
Kasungu National Park
Description
The Kasungu National Park is Malawi’s second largest (over 2,000km2) lying at approximately 1,000m above sea level. It is situated in the Central Region approximately 165km north of the capital city, Lilongwe and 289km south of Mzuzu. To the western side the Park borders with Zambia. Kasungu provides some of the best available game viewing in the country, particularly at the end of the dry season from August to November, a time when waters levels begin to dwindle forcing the animals to stay close to the remaining watering holes in the park.
The Park is warm from the months of September to May and cooler from June to August. Most years the park is closed during March, maybe earlier if the rains are heavy. The roads are in better condition at the start of the dry season and has a network of untarred roads. Depending on what you do the best time to visit the park is:- August to January for Game Viewing November to December for bird watching June to September for walking August to September for the flora November to February for the orchids and wild flowers. The best months for photography for August to February
The park’s vegetation consists mainly of Miombo woodland broken up by grassy river channels, known locally as Dambos. A number of rivers flow through the park, the most important of which are the Dwanga and the Lingadzi, A tributary of the Lingadzi, the Lifupa, dams as Lifupa Lodge which creates the spot for game viewing within the park, especially to see the resident hippos. Kasungu is famed for it’s population of elephants, though poaching is, even today, a big problem. A well as elephants it boasts a large variety of buck, including sable, roan, kudu, impala and Hartebeest as well as buffalo and zebra. Predators in the Park include, hyena, wild dog and serval. (I have even been lucky to see a leopard, but was many years ago)
Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve
Description
Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve sees very few visitors , despite its easy access, inexpensive accommodation and rich diversity of animals and birds. It lies southwest of the Nyika Plateau, to the north of the floodplains of South Rukuru River and covers an area of 1,000 km?.
Road conditions are poor particularly in the raining season when a 4×4 vehicle is essential. The terrain is generally flat and the dominant vegetation type is mixed brachystegia and mopane woodland.
The populations of large animals vary from season to season as they cross the border from and to Zambia’s Luangwa Game reserve. The reserve houses large herds of buffalo and elephants, and a great variety of antelope are present, including roan, greater kudu, Liechtenstein’s hartebeest, eland and impala
The birdlife include Goliath Herons, Openbill Storks, many birds of prey and the rare White-winged Starling. Lake Kazuni supports a good population of hippo and elephants can often be seen around the lake. Walking is permitted in this area (accompanied by a game scout)
A vast amount of wildlife can be seen around Kazuni camp and the lake, a truly spectacular sight.
Accommodation: Kazuni Safari Camp – This camp comprises four twin bedded rondavels made entirely of poles and grass with ensuite facilities and a main restaurant / bar under a secluded grove of Acacia trees
Kazuni Camp – Self Catering – five grass huts with beds and mosquito nets and a central ablution block. Cooking places provided. All in a patch of evergreen trees.
Camping Right next to the self-catering camp (and using the same ablution block) is a campsite for those with their own tents.
Lengwe National Park
Description
Lengwe National Park lies within the lower Shire Valley about 50kms south of Blantyre and bordering to the west with Mozambique. The natural vegetation of the area is mixed woodland and grassy dambo although much of the surrounding area has been turned into a sugarcane plantation.
It is probably most famed for the nyala antelope, not found in the other northern parks of Malawi. Other antelope, such as bushbuck, impala, duiker and kudu are found here as well as warthogs, monkeys and baboons. Unfortunately, poaching has taken it’s toll in this park and along with the dense vegetation sightings of animals is harder than in some other parks
Accommodation:
The only place to stay in the park is the main camp situated about 1km from the entrance gate, where you can either stay in a chalet or pitch your own tent. Self catering facilities and cooks, if required, are provided. Although there is a small grocery store, supplies can often be low so it’s advisable to bring supplies with you
Liwonde National Park
Description
Liwonde National Park lies on the banks of the Upper Shire River, south of Lake Malawi, bordering Lake Malombe to the north and encompassing a large area east of the river. It is situated 120km north of Blantyre, and about 60km north of Zomba and is 236 kms away from Lilongwe.
The vegetation is diverse ranging from the swamps, lagoons and reed-beds along the river edge, grassland in the better drained areas where palm, sausage and baobab trees grow, whilst elsewhere there is Mopane woodland, and some dense woodland.
Liwonde boasts having one of Malawi’s largest elephant population, which can often be seen bathing on the rivers edge along with the Hippos. Large concentrations of sable antelope, as well as kudu, duiker and oribi can be found in the Mopane bush. The plains are home to waterbuck, reedbuck, other antelope as well as lion. Birds are abundant, including the more common species such as fish eagle, jacana, white bellied cormorant and the rarer Lilian’s lovebird.
The best time to visit this park is in the dry season, during the rains the park is often closed and if it is open you will need a 4×4 and even then many roads could be impassable. The park can be reached by boat from Liwonde barrage throughout the year
Accommodation:
Mvuu Lodge & Camp: The main camp in this riverine park, and is ideally situation on the bank of the Shire River in the northern park of the park. Various forms of semi-luxury accommodation are on offer, ranging from chalets, walk-in tents, small dome tents, or you can camp in your own tent. There are facilities for self catering and a camp restaurant where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served.
Near the park entrance is Chiunguni Cottage run by the National Park and there are several other places around Liwonde offering basic accommodation
Majete Wildlife Reserve
Description
The Majete Wildlife Reserve lies in the South Western area of the country, to the west of the Shire River. It spans an area of approximately 691km?, with low hills mainly covered with brachystegia woodland, with denser patches of forest along the river
After years of heavy poaching African Parks Network took over management in 2003. Since than a lot has changed. The Reserve is completely fenced, has over 250 km of good roads, has a very professional Law Enforcement team and is restocked with over 4,000 animals including, elephant, rhino, buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest, kudu, nyala, waterbuck, impala, warthog, hippo et cetera. Soon the big cats will be reintroduced; cheetah, lion and leopard. The park is also appreciated for the Shire River, especially the Kapichira Falls, which are situated close to the park entrance.
It is a wilderness area where bird watching is very favourable and, provided you are escorted by a game scout, you are allowed to walk around
Accommodation:
Thawale Camp is situated inside the park, with a view on a waterhole. The camp has luxury tented chalets with own bathroom and can accommodate 12 persons. The overnight stay includes dinner and breakfast. Camping is possible at the Community Campsite. Facilities include communal area with bar, but only self-caterinG