Niassa Reserve Mozambique

Thanks to a series of interconnected reserves that run from the meanders of the Ruvuma River in northern Mozambique all the way to the famous Selous Game Reserve of Tanzania, the Niassa Reserve now plays a part in one of the largest international conservation areas on the planet.

That also means that the vast area of miombo woods and rugged rock bluffs is home to some serious biodiversity, with the likes of the African lion, the African elephant, and packs of wild dogs all roaming the breath-taking landscapes.

A clutch of eco-lodges and ethical tourism camps are now popping up here, attracting safari-goers eager to see the frontline of African preservation.

The Niassa Special Reserve in northern Mozambique is one of Africa’s largest protected areas covering 42,300 km², the wildest, and most spectacular protected areas. It is connected to the Selous Game Reserve in southern Tanzania which covers an area of 55,000 km² by the Selous-Niassa corridor and remains connected by a natural corridor of forestry concessions to the Quirimbas National Park which covers an area of 7,506 km² to its east on the coast of northern Mozambique.

Things to do Niassa Reserve Mozambique

Wildlife viewing

Niassa is home to prolific wildlife, including more than 10 000 Elephants and more than 200 of the critically endangered African Wild Dog. Leopards, Lions, and Hyenas are common with big numbers of herbivores present including three endemic species, Boehm’s Zebra, Johnstons Impala, and Niassa Wildebeest.

Birding safaris

With over 370 birds recorded, Niassa National Reserve offers excellent bird watching. The reserve is a great place to see miombo specials such as racket-tailed roller and pale-billed hornbill. Riverine forest fringing the Lugenda River is a good place to look for Pel’s fishing-owl and Bohm’s bee-eater, and African skimmers can be seen flying over the river.

River excursions

The Lugenda River remains one of Africa’s pristine and un-spoilt waterways. It is the lifeblood of Northern Mozambique’s remote Niassa Reserve. The Luwire Wildlife Conservancy is privileged to protect nearly 300 km of this great river as it winds its way through the heart of the Niassa Reserve.  The Lugenda River floods seasonally but is comfortably navigable from late May to mid-July each year.

How to get to Niassa Reserve Mozambique

Niassa Reserve is located in the north of the country and is very remote and flight to Mozambique usually land in Maputo international airport and travelers can start their  1650 long-distance using an overland 4×4 vehicle to one of Africa’s remote wilderness destinations in Mozambique

Best time to visit Niassa Reserve Mozambique

July to October is the middle to the end of the Dry season, and these are the best wildlife viewing months as most water in the bush has dried out and thirsty animals congregate around the few water sources left.

Where to stay while visiting Niassa Reserve Mozambique

Lugenda Bush Camp

Lugenda Bush Camp is situated within the Lugenda Wildlife Reserve, beneath the Ngalongue Mountains on the eastern banks of the Lugenda River. It’s the first lodge to have opened in Lugenda, a remote concession of the greater Niassa Reserve which sees only a tiny number of visitors each year.

Lugenda is a small, elegant bush camp. It centers on the thatched main building which houses a lounge area, self-service bar, and dining room. On each side of the building sit four East African safari-style luxury tents, no more than 40 meters from the Lugenda River—the pool deck and sunbeds are closer still, indeed practically on the banks of the Lugenda River.

Lugenda has just 8 luxury Meru-style tented rooms. These are very sturdy units—tents really only in appearance—built on raised wood and screed decks and set under the shade of fig trees. They have a small verandah at the front, and large bathrooms at the back, with standalone Victorian bathtubs and showers.