OUR WORK
Conservation at Scale
Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve embraces a flagship wetland conservation programme. Despite its modest 100 000 ha at the westernmost edge of Malawi, Vwaza throws a celebration of scenery, plentiful species and irreplaceable ecosystem functions. Woodlands and wildlife accompany its wetlands, with a notable highlight being the largest elephant population in northern Malawi.
The reserve has a wonderful mix of vegetation: forest and grassland, thin woodland and marsh fed by the Nyika Plateau. It is this rich habitat which attracts a splendid range of birdlife. Nearly 300 species of birds have been recorded including stork, heron and the white-faced tree duck.
Rewilding
Vwaza is a unique wetland and Ramsar Site due to its significant role in supporting diverse plant and animal species, particularly waterbirds.
Combatting wildlife crime
Malawi’s National Parks and Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2017 brought in significantly steeper sentences for wildlife criminals. Proactive wildlife crime investigation units were established within the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and the Malawi Police Service in 2016 and a Wildlife Detection Dog Unit was set-up in 2018. The number of ivory trade cases has generally fallen year on year compared to the peak in 2018.
Community Development
A state-of-the-art Human-Wildlife Coexistence Scheme has been developed for this region. Communities are both benefiting from and leading the scheme. They were involved in the design and construction of a 110 km of solar-powered fence erected along the Vwaza border. They now participate in the management and maintenance of the fence. Community members are also trained and organised to effectively manage incidents of human-wildlife conflicts.
Communities are the direct beneficiaries of a water scheme from Nyika to Vwaza, which will provide access to potable water for 18 000 people by 2025, expanding to 33 000 once the network is fully extended. Two community representatives will be sitting on the board of the future Nyika Vwaza Co-Management Trust.
Setting the Standard for Inclusive Conservation in Malawi
Activities in Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve center around livelihood support programmes and resource utilisation, with a focus on sustainable practices. The reserve supports livestock and high-value crop production, benefiting hundreds of households. Beekeeping remains a significant activity. The honey is often a top contributor to the economic value generated by resource utilisation programmes. The reserve has a resource utilisation programme that allows community members to harvest various resources, including medicinal plants, thatch grass, and fish.
Conservation Finance
Tourism
Casual visitors to the park bring income, but this reserve is largely dependent on funding.
