Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve Safaris

A little-visited safari gem

Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve’s obscurity might be the best reason to add it to your African adventure.

Centrally located in Malawi, Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve is a vast 1,800 square kilometres, making it one of Malawi’s largest reserves. However, it has just 3 lodges, our favourite being Tongole Wilderness, and receives a very small number of visitors each year. If tranquillity or a wilderness retreat appeals to you, then this is the perfect destination.

The reserve’s rugged scenery comprises miombo woodland covered escarpments and hillsides, broken up by gorges, large dambos with tall grasses, and even some isolated areas of rainforest. The best way to explore this wild and relatively uncharted landscape is on foot or by canoe along the Bua River; one of the few that dissects the reserve. This enhances the unique and tranquil safari experience on offer here.

Excitingly for Nkhotakota, the reserve came under the management of African Parks, an internationally renowned conservation organisation, in 2015. Shortly after, in 2016 and 2017, there followed the reintroduction of almost 2000 animals, including waterbuck, buffalo, sable, warthog, impala, kudu, eland and zebra. Of greatest note though were 500 more elephants; one of the largest elephant trans-locations in history. Due to its size and the habitat, the reserve has been designated as a hugely valuable sanctuary for elephant conservation.

Whilst you should not yet expect to find high densities of wildlife in Nkhotakota, the ambience and knowledge that you are one of the few visitors to explore this wilderness area, makes each sighting that little more special. The reserve is also a paradise for birders, with over 280 species of birds recorded, and rated as an area of special interest by Birdlife International.

Our favourite Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve accommodation

Best places to stay in Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve

Price

All

Sort by

Featured

Where else to go in Malawi

Top places to visit in Malawi

AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

Jun 5, 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

Jun 5, 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

Jun 5, 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

Jun 5, 2024

Speak to a Malawi expert today

and start planning your tailor-made vacation

Call 888 445-2912
or
Our Malawi Experts
Ali 1

Alistair

Ben morison bio pic May18

Ben

Otti profile pic

Ottilie

Plan with an expert

Have a look at our original experiences and then contact us with your travel ideas, or call (888) 445-2912

A tailor-made itinerary just for you

Our experts will send you a detailed itinerary specified to your desires. It's our service promise to you.

Value guarantee

Tailor-made doesn't mean expensive! Ask about our price promise and book with financial security.