Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area

The north of the Malawi-Zambia TFCA is centred around the Nyika Plateau, a high undulating montane grassland plateau that rises over 2,000 meters above the bushveld and wetlands of the Vwaza Marsh. The highest point on the Nyika is Nganda Hill (2,607m) in Malawi. The vegetation above 1,800 meters is predominantly montane grassland, interspersed with evergreen forest. These high-lying areas are often shrouded in mist, giving them a unique appeal. In summer a multitude of wildflowers and orchids burst forth in the highlands, making it a sight unlike any seen in most other game parks.

To the southwest, the TFCA also includes North Luangwa National Park which boasts the “big-five”: elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard and lion. Also, the rare Cookson’s wildebeest can be found here. The southern component of the TFCA consists of Kasungu National

Park and Lukusuzi National Park represents the last and largest contiguous area of undisturbed, relatively pristine miombo woodland of the Central African Plateau. Lukusuzi is fairly flat beyond its western foothills, and like Kasungu, has few topographic reliefs beyond small inselbergs.

The Nyika National Park in Malawi boasts exceptional and internationally important biodiversity. In the highlands alone there are about 102 mammals as well as 3,000 plants, 462 birds, 47 reptiles, 34 amphibians, 31 fish, and an unknown number of invertebrate species, including 287 species of butterflies. It also offers the highest diversity of large mammals and the largest concentration of roan antelope in Africa and supports the world’s greatest blue swallow breeding population.

Kasungu-Lukusuzi has a noteworthy diversity of mammals, plants and birds – about 112 mammal species of which seven are endemic to the miombo woodland zone, as well as 2,000 plants, 370 birds, 47 reptiles, 34 amphibians, 31 fish, and an unknown number of invertebrate species.

Important cultural heritage resources and artefacts are found on the Nyika Plateau and in Kasungu National Park. These include ancient dwelling sites with rock paintings, such as Fingira Rock and Wan’gombe Rume. There are also various iron-ore mines and remnants of complex traditional iron-working practices.

Communities living in and adjacent to the TFCA are engaged in mainly smallholder agriculture on customary tenure. Cattle grazing, human-wildlife conflict, human encroachment and poaching are challenges in some parts of the TFCA. While park staff sometimes struggle in their efforts to maximise stakeholder consultations with communities, these communities have also begun to bring their concerns to the table. Cross-border trade and other cultural exchange initiatives are important to these communities who share many of the same traditional values.

The remote North Luangwa National Park in Zambia is one of the finest wilderness experiences in the entire region. Although declared a wilderness area, North Luangwa National Park was not open to anyone other than game rangers for more than thirty years. Now there are safari operators in the park, giving visitors a unique opportunity to experience the largely untouched Luanga Valley. In 2003 an ambitious translocation project reintroduced black rhino back into the National Park. Hence the North Luangwa National Park harbours Zambia’s only black rhino population.

Malawi’s Nyika National Park has a well-established infrastructure, with roads, airfields an upmarket lodge and other accommodations at Chilinda. This component of the TFCA is recommended for trekking, mountain biking and horse riding safaris, as well as 4×4 excursions. Cultural heritage resources and artefacts also contribute to tourist attractions in the area, including ancient dwelling sites, rock paintings and Iron Age smelting sites. The Chigwere Cultural Village is gaining increasing popularity with tourists, with the communities who run it offering an enthusiastic experience of local cultures.

Kasungu National Park, established in 1970, is the second largest in Malawi at 2,316 km2 and lying at approximately 1,000 m above sea level. Although poaching has reduced the number of some species of animals there is still wildlife to be seen, including elephant, roan antelope, buffalo, leopard and spotted hyena. There is a lodge at Lifupa as well as good camping nearby. Access to the park has been greatly improved in recent years, which is situated only 160 km from the capital Lilongwe.