The team of 1 2 Travel Africa, known for its lodges Africa House and Mitengo House, began managing the 2 000ha Kuti Wildlife Reserve from March 1.

The reserve is in Salima in the heart of Malawi, an hour-and-a-half drive from Lilongwe. It is home to zebra, sable, nyala, wildebeest, eland, many different bird species and the famous giraffe Ginny (the last giraffe at Kuti and one of the few giraffes in the country).

Kuti offers a bush escape with adventure for the whole family. Travellers can safely explore the reserve on foot, or challenge themselves on the off-road mountain bike trails. Game drives (with or without a guide) are available.

The new management team will soon introduce horseback safaris, using trail horses from South Africa, which will arrive in Malawi by the end of the month. After allowing the horses to settle in and recover from the long trip, they will be ready to take travellers around the reserve no later than May.

“Horseback riding is probably one of the best ways to experience nature. It’s particularly great for game viewing, as the wildlife mostly focuses on the sight, sound and scent of the horses, making them almost forget about the people, which allows you to meet them up close and personal. Especially zebras and nyalas are very relaxed and even inquisitive when you encounter them on horseback,” Malawi Tourism said in a press release.

The new management reportedly has further plans to uplift the different accommodations and other facilities at Kuti.

“Whether you wish to camp, try out the Bush Chalets or enjoy the privacy of the self-contained Villas, your stay at Kuti Wildlife Reserve will be full of unforgettable experiences,” Malawi Tourism concluded.