Malawi

The Lake of Stars

Lake Malawi, the third-largest lake in Africa, stretches almost 580 kilometres from north to south and holds more species of fish than any other lake in the world, most of them colourful cichlids found nowhere else. Its only outlet, the Shire River, flows south to the Zambezi.

Wildlife in the Lower Shire

Every camera in the country sits in Chikwawa District, in the hot lowlands of the Lower Shire valley, home to Majete Wildlife Reserve. Once emptied by poaching, Majete was restocked from 2003 and now holds elephants, buffalo, lions and leopards again. Its five cameras watch the bush and the animals that come into view.

Dry and Wet Seasons

From May to October the bush dries out and animals gather around the remaining water, the best time to watch the cameras. The rains, from November to April, turn the valley green and spread the herds across the reserve.