Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve

Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
LocationNsanje District, Malawi
Coordinates16°40′S 35°0′E / 16.667°S 35.000°E / -16.667; 35.000
Area135 km2
Established1953 extended 1975
Governing bodyDepartment of National Parks and Wildlife

Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve is the smallest wildlife reserve in Malawi, covering approximately 135 km² at the southernmost tip of the country along the border with Mozambique.[1] It includes a portion of the Matundwe Range, which forms part of the border with Mozambique, and is situated near the Shire River lowlands. The park is situated between 150 m and 400 m above sea level.[2] It is located near the Lengwe National Park and the Majete Wildlife Reserve.

Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve features a wide variety of habitats including mopane, combretum, and dry brachystegia woodland, as well as open savanna, dambo, sandstone hills, and riverine areas .

Project African Wilderness, a nonprofit organization, was formed to protect and restore the Mwabvi reserve in coordination with local communities.[3][4] In February 2007, they signed a management agreement with Malawi's Department of National Parks and Wildlife to take over the conservation and development of the park.[5]

Wildlife

Historically, Mwabvi was known to support a much richer assemblage of wildlife than it does today. In the mid-20th century it was the last stronghold of Malawi’s black rhinoceros population[6] The reserve was once home to all of Africa’s “Big Five” game animals, but decades of heavy poaching dramatically reduced its large fauna[7] The black rhinos were completely extirpated, and elephants and lions also disappeared from Mwabvi by the late 20th century. Today, only a remnant population of Cape buffalo represents the Big Five in the park.[8] Poaching remains a serious threat to Mwabvi's wildlife.

Several antelope species and other small to mid-sized mammals are found in the reserve. These include small herds of nyala, sable antelope, greater kudu, impala, suni, and common duiker.[9] Warthogs, baboons, and vervet monkeys are also present. Larger predators are very scarce, leopards, spotted hyenas, jackals, and servals have been recorded, but only at very low densities.[10] There are no resident lion prides though lions from neighboring Mozambique have bee seen.[1][2]

Mwabvi is noted for its birdlife. Over 270 bird species have been documented in the reserve. Notable birds include the Woodward’s batis, double-collared sandgrouse, and black-tailed grey waxbill, among hundreds of other species adapted to the dry woodland and savanna habitat[11] Birdwatching is a tourist attraction at the site.[12]

References

  1. ^ a b Travel, Malawi. "Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve". Malawi Travel. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  2. ^ a b "Flora of Zimbabwe: Location details: Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve". www.zimbabweflora.co.zw. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  3. ^ Macdonald, Lindsey (2011-12-11). "Gaynor Asquith obituary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  4. ^ "THE PROJECT AFRICAN WILDERNESS TRUST - Charity 1108662". prd-ds-register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  5. ^ Briggs, Philip; Connolly, Sean (2013). Malawi. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 236. ISBN 978-1-84162-474-7.
  6. ^ "MWABVI WILDLIFE RESERVE". Shire Valley. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
  7. ^ "MWABVI WILDLIFE RESERVE". Shire Valley. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
  8. ^ "MWABVI WILDLIFE RESERVE". Shire Valley. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
  9. ^ "Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve – Visit Malawi". Retrieved 2025-08-09.
  10. ^ "MWABVI WILDLIFE RESERVE". Shire Valley. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
  11. ^ "Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve – Visit Malawi". Retrieved 2025-08-09.
  12. ^ "Luxury Safari | African Safari Magazine". African Safari. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
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