Name: Niassa National Reserve
Address: Mozambique

Overview

The Niassa Reserve in northern Mozambique, is the biggest reserve in Mozambique, with the best concentration of wildlife in the country. Niassa Reserve is bordered by the Rovuma River in the north (Tanzania border) and consolidates the mystical Lugenda River. It borders Nyerere National Park in Tanzania without fences, so creatures move uninhibitedly around this immense consolidated region.

High Season

Never Busy

Best Time to Go

June to October

Pros & Cons

Amazing wildlife and birding experience
Unblemished, pristine wilderness
Complete exclusivity

No accommodation facility at present
Remote and hard to get to
Animals are sketchy and the wildlife density is very low

Map in Mozambique

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Gallery Images

Explore the stunning beauty of Niassa National Reserve through our curated collection of photographs showcasing its landscapes, wildlife, and natural wonders.

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Wildlife & Animals

The reserve has plenty of mammals, and these are genuinely wild. Four of the Big Five are available. Better-known creatures, incorporate sable gazelle, a few thousand Cape buffalo, impala, wildebeest, zebra, elephant and leopard. Lions can be spotted now and then. There are a lot of elephants in the park.

Wildlife Highlights

The most noteworthy thing about the wildlife is the number of inhabitants in Wild Dog, an amazingly endangered African predator – this surpasses 200, making it perhaps the best reserve for the vertebrates in Africa despite the fact that it isn't simple to track down them. Other animals that are particular to this space are the three endemic species, the Niassa wildebeest, Boehm's zebra and Johnston's impala.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The best time to capture wildlife viewing is in the Dry season from May to October when animals are concentrated near lakes and other permanent water sources. At this time the vegetation is also thinner making sightings easier.

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Birds

For bird enthusiasts, Niassa has over 400 species of birds which include the rare Angola pitta, Pel’s fishing owl and abundant raptors. Riverine forest fringing the Lugenda River is a good place to look for Pel’s fishing owl and Böhm's bee-eater, and African skimmers can be seen flying over the river. The big granite domes support species like Verreaux’s eagle, lanner falcon and the rare Taita falcon.

Best Time for Birding

Niassa is an excellent region for Bird watching which can be visited around the year. However, the best time to visit is in the wet season from November to April. During this time migratory birds are present. As road conditions could be bad in the park during the rains, November is the ideal month for birders.

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Best Time to Visit – Niassa National Reserve

High Season

Never Busy

Low Season

Seasonal rains can affect access in some areas

Best Weather

Typically during dry months; check local patterns

Worst Weather

Peak of Wet season; very hot months vary by region

May to October (Dry Season)

Less vegetation and animals concentrate around water, making them easier to spot
The skies are clear, rain is rare, and there are fewer mosquitoes
Even though most tourists visit during the Dry season, the parks still feel uncrowded, except for the bustling Chobe riverfront area