Marromeu National Reserve

Marromeu covers a large part of the Zambezi delta, floodplain grassland, swamp and palm savanna that floods and dries with the river, and it holds one of the biggest concentrations of Cape buffalo anywhere on the continent, herds numbering in the thousands. Waterbuck, reedbuck and very large numbers of waterbirds use the same ground. The reserve is a Ramsar wetland and infrastructure within it is almost nonexistent.

Background

The reserve was dedicated on 1 January 1969 and protects 1,500 square kilometres of Zambezi floodplain, the only protected stretch of this kind along the river. Its grassland is cut by many rivers and streams. Besides buffalo, it holds hippopotamus, eland, sable antelope, Burchell's zebra, Lichtenstein's hartebeest and African elephant. Predators include spotted hyenas, cheetahs, leopards, lions and wild dogs. The marsh shelters migratory birds and is a breeding ground for 120 pairs of the endangered Wattled Crane. Around the core, a hunting concession of 8,252 square kilometres reaches from the buffalo reserve into the Cheringoma highlands.

Source: Wikipedia, "Marromeu Game Reserve"

The landscape

• The buffalo herds - among the largest concentrations in Africa, in thousands.
• The floodplain - grassland that floods and dries with the Zambezi.
• The waterbirds - very large numbers using the delta wetlands.
• The palm savanna - borassus palms across the drier ground.

When to go

June to October is the dry season, after the floods recede, and the only practical window. From December to May much of the reserve is under water. Buffalo concentrate as the ground dries.

Good to know

There is essentially no infrastructure: no roads maintained, no accommodation and no fuel. Access is through operators or a fully self-sufficient expedition. Poaching has reduced numbers from historic highs and continues to be a problem.

Nearby

Beira is south, and the Zambezi runs through the reserve.

Key facts