Overview–mozambique

Niassa Special Reserve

Niassa Special Reserve is the largest conservation area in Mozambique and Africa’s third-largest wildlife sanctuary. It borders Tanzania’s Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) without fences, so animals move freely around this vast combined area. It’s one of the most impressive ecosystems in Africa, yet totally lacking any tourist facilities.

Best Time to Visit

July to October is the middle and end of the Dry season in Niassa Special Reserve. These are the best wildlife-viewing months as most water in the bush has dried out and thirsty animals gather around the few water sources left. October is, however, uncomfortably hot.

May to October –Dry Season

Wildlife viewing is easier as animals gather around the Lugenda River
Lots of sunshine and it rarely rains
Minimal risk of contracting malaria, with few mosquitoes around
Hazy skies and dry bush
October is unbearably hot
From May to August, the mornings are chilly and warm clothing is necessary

November to April –Wet Season

The air is fresh and the landscapes are green
Prime birding time with migratory birds around
Newborn animal season
The reserve might close from December until the end of April
Wildlife viewing is better in the Dry season
Heat and humidity can be oppressive
Malaria is a bigger concern than in the Dry season
Roads may become waterlogged and terrible for driving

Scenery

Miombo forest covers half of the reserve, making this one of the largest tracts of miombo in the world. The remainder is mostly open savannah, with some wetlands and isolated patches of forest. The scenery is dominated by the Lugenda River and immense granite domes rising up from the surrounding plains.

Activities

At present Niassa can only be visited on a tailor-made expedition. You’ll probably stay at the Lugenda River. From there you might do game drives, walking safaris, and canoeing trips.

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Jul

Aug

Sept

Oct

Jan

Feb

Mar

April

Dec

May

Jun

Nov

Rates

From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: July to October (Animals are easier to find)

High Season

From: Never (Little-visited reserve)

Size

From: 42,000km² / 16,216mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Due to nearby hunting concessions and a lack of habituation, animals tend to be skittish in Niassa Special Reserve. Four of the Big Five are present (no rhino). Elephants are quite common. Lions are sometimes spotted and, if you’re very lucky, you could see wild dogs too. There is a good variety of antelope species including Lichtenstein's hartebeest, greater kudu, bushbuck, waterbuck, klipspringer, and reedbuck.

Wildlife Highlights

Of special interest is the large population of sable. These regal antelopes are usually found in thick miombo woodland. Also worth noting are the three endemic subspecies found in Niassa: Grant’s zebra (lacks the shadow stripes of other subspecies), Nyassa wildebeest (larger than other subspecies), and Johnston's impala (smaller than other subspecies).

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The best time for spotting animals in Niassa is from July to October, during the middle and end of the Dry season (May to October). Wildlife is easier to see at that time because vegetation is thinner and animals gather around the rivers and other permanent water sources.

General Wheather

Niassa Special Reserve has a tropical, hot climate with a Wet and Dry season. The dry, cool season from May to October is preferable for a safari as it offers the most comfortable travel conditions. This time of year also coincides with the best wildlife-viewing months (July to October).

Dry Season –May to October

The Dry season is the ideal time of year for wildlife viewing with animal sightings improving as the season progresses. The days are nice and warm, while the nights are cool.

May – The beginning of the Dry season. The rains have stopped, but the bush hasn’t dried out yet.
June & July – With daytime temperatures around 28°C/82°F, these months are the mildest. At nighttime, it cools down considerably with average temperatures of around 17°C/63°F. Rainfall is rare and the bush is becoming parched. Warm clothing for morning game drives is recommended.
August & September – It is getting warm now with September’s average daytime temperature hovering around 30°C/86°F. It is very dry with no sign of rain. Mornings are lovely and cool.
October – At this time of the year, the heat can be challenging in the middle of the day. Temperatures reach an average of 32°C/90°F. However, peak temperatures can be much higher. Mornings are idyllic with temperatures of about 22°C/72°F.

Wet Season –November to April

During the humid Wet season, the roads might deteriorate due to heavy rain and the reserve may be closed from December to the end of April. Frequent showers in the afternoon can turn into spectacular thunderstorms.

November – Conditions are uncomfortably hot and humid during November so it’s a relief when the rains start. The bush has taken on a very parched look and the average daytime temperature usually hovers around 33°C/91°F. Thunderstorms are common in the afternoon.
December, January, February & March – The reserve might be closed during these months. It is the wettest time of the year, although it’s rarely wet all day. Daytime temperatures average 32°C/90°F, while nighttime temperatures average 20°C/68°F.
April – The reserve might be closed as roads are usually in bad condition. The rain is easing off. Landscapes are gorgeous at this time of year, with the bush thick and many shades of green.

Prons

Pristine, unspoiled wilderness
Off-the-beaten-track destination
Reasonable wildlife viewing and superb birding

Cons

No formal accommodations at present
Remote and difficult to get to
Animals are skittish and the wildlife density is quite low

How To Get There

Niassa Special Reserve is in the north of the country and very remote. Presently, there are no formal accommodations in or around the reserve. Visiting Niassa is mostly for adventurous travelers who are totally self-sufficient and have use of a sturdy 4x4 vehicle.

If flying to Mozambique, Maputo International Airport (MPM) will likely be your entry point into the country. It is very close to the capital, Maputo (3km/2 mi away).

For people with the time and endeavor, Niassa can be visited on a road trip. You can hire a 4x4 vehicle in Maputo and start your overland trip from there.

If you would like to travel in northern Mozambique, you can fly from Maputo to Pemba (the gateway to the north) and rent a 4x4 vehicle there.

All domestic and charter flights are usually booked by your tour operator as part of your package. Scheduled domestic flights to Pemba from Maputo and Beira can be booked with LAM. SA Airlink has flights to Pemba from Johannesburg (South Africa).

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Maputo International Airport (MPM), and what tickets would cost.