Kuti Wildlife Reserve in Salima

The perfect place for your first mini-safari in Malawi… and where we have our horses!

Enjoy our accommodation and nature activities just an hour and a half from Lilongwe. Come face to face with our giraffe, zebras, wildebeests, sable antelopes and many more. From your car, on foot, bicycle or even on horseback!

At 2,000 hectares, Kuti is Malawi’s smallest wildlife reserve. It’s also the country’s youngest reserve, but that doesn’t mean there’s no rich history.

It all started as a cattle farm run as a joint venture between the Malawian and German governments. Germany helped with finance and expertise in an attempt to improve the genetics of cattle in Malawi through selective breeding programmes. In 1998, this came to an end due to changes in the government. The area went through several phases and eventually became an official Wildlife Reserve owned by a Trust.

Like many places around the world, Kuti was hit hard by the COVID pandemic. The facilities fell into disrepair and relations with surrounding villages deteriorated worse and worse. This led to a huge increase in illegal tree cutting, charcoal burning and poaching.

When we saw the state Kuti was in, our hearts broke. We joined forces with friends and set up a new NGO, Kuti Experience, which has taken over the full management of Kuti Wildlife Reserve since 1 March 2024. We just couldn’t let this special place disappear!

What makes Kuti so special?

Kuti is known for its great diversity of landscapes. From miombo woodland to open grasslands and from many small dambos to a large wetland area. This variety means that no less than 200 different bird species feel at home here! Some of the most striking inhabitants are the Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Lilac-breasted Roller and Saddle-billed Stork. If you are lucky, you may even spot the shy Pygmy Goose, Rufous-bellied Heron or White-winged Apalis!

In addition to all these birds and many colourful butterflies, other insects, reptiles and amphibians, Kuti is also home to a famous rescued giraffe and a beautiful population of zebras, sable antelopes, wildebeests, waterbucks, nyalas, bushbucks and duikers. With a little more luck, you may also encounter oribis and reedbucks. Perhaps you hear the “whooping” spotted hyenas, while bush babies, owls and nightjars call throughout the night.

Visit Kuti and directly support nature conservation!

Kuti can be visited as a day trip. For the full experience, including a beautiful sunset, we recommend staying overnight at our campsite or in one of our cozy chalets or comfortable bush villas.

With no dangerous animals, this is a very safe, family-friendly reserve that can be explored on foot, bicycle or even on horseback. Did you know that this is the only place in Malawi where you can go on horseback safaris?

It is one of our greatest passions, and more and more people here are beginning to understand why. Our calm, well-trained horses and experienced guides are at your service, whether you have extensive riding experience or just want to give it a try.

Kuti also has several marked routes that are ideal for a safari on your own. But if you really want to make the most of your time here, our enthusiastic guides are ready to take you on an adventure!