Conservation at Kumbali
We are proud to collaborate with multiple conservation organisations to ensure that the wildlife at Kumbali Game Reserve and beyond is closely monitored, allowing us to assess our impact on the environment. Find out more on what we do and how you can get involved.
African Bat Conservation
Malawi is crucial for bat conservation in Africa, as noted by the IUCN, due to its diverse bat species. However, deforestation and agriculture pose threats to these populations and their habitats. At Kumbali, African Bat Conservation has studied and protected bats for over 10 years, focusing on key habitats to improve conservation efforts.
Carnivore Research Malawi
Carnivores in Malawi are in decline due to persecution, habitat loss and conflict. From our pioneering Conservation Research Centre in Malawi, Carnivore Research Malawi is working to study and conserve carnivores through applied research, conservation education and outreach, and conflict mitigation.
Lilongwe Wildlife Trust
Lilongwe Wildlife Trust focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating, and conserving Malawi's wildlife, ensuring injured and orphaned animals receive essential care. Kumbali serves as a crucial release site, offering a safe environment for rehabilitated animals to return the wild. Together, they protect Malawi's biodiversity and foster coexistence between wildlife and local communities.
African Bat Conservation
The rich diversity of bat species found at Kumbali highlights the importance of preserving these habitats to support biodiversity and maintain healthy ecosystems.
Conservation efforts are essential to protecting bats, reducing disturbances to their roosting sites, and maintaining their vital ecological roles, such as insect control.
Our shared commitment to balancing land use with conservation priorities ensures Kumbali Country Lodge is not just a beautiful destination but also a haven for biodiversity.
Together, we invite you to explore and support the remarkable world of bats during your stay.
Whilst at Kumbali why not join ABC by taking part in our research activities!
Bat box making & Bat box checking
Guests can participate in a bat box-making workshop held either at Kumbali or Research Centre. During this hands-on activity, they collaboratively construct a wooden bat box under guidance. Each bat box is crafted by two participants working together, with the process designed to take approximately one hour. Sessions are available between 9 AM and 4 PM, offering
an engaging and educational experience in wildlife conservation.
Guests also can participate in a guided activity to inspect existing bat boxes (5 per group) located around Kumbali. This hands-on experience allows them to learn about bat monitoring techniques, identify signs of bat activity, and contribute to the conservation effort.
Bat box making
Group size: All
Duration: 1 hour
Timing: 9-4 pm
Bat box checking
Group size: Groups of 6 people
Duration: 1-2 hours
Timing: AM 8-12 PM 1-5
Opportunistic surveys with bat trapping
The ABC team conducts a live demonstration of bat trapping on the lawn in front of the lodge, accompanied by an informative talk. During this engaging session, guests have the unique opportunity to observe the trapping process, learn about bat ecology and conservation, and see bats up close in a safe and respectful manner.
Group size: 5-10 people
Duration: 1 hour
Timing: 5 PM onwards
Bat roost visits
The ABC team guides guests on a visit to the banana barn roost, providing an up-close opportunity to observe bats in their natural habitat. The team will give an informative talk on bat ecology, behavior, and conservation during this 40-minute session, available during the day or at dusk.
Group size: 10 people
Duration: 40 minutes
Timing: daytime or Dusk at emergence
Bat acoustic walks
The ABC team leads guests on an evening bat walk around Kumbali Farm/Reserve, utilizing bat detectors to identify bat activity. Participants will experience the fascinating world of bat acoustics, with real-time sonograms displayed on connected devices, showcasing the calls of bats as they fly by. This immersive one-hour experience at dusk provides insights into bat behavior and their ecological importance.
Group size: 10 people
Duration: 1 hour
Timing: dusk
If you're interested in any of these activities during your stay at Kumbali Country Lodge, reach out and let us know.
Carnivore Research Malawi
CRM's goal is to enhance current research on urban ecology concerning carnivores, specifically to comprehend the ecological factors and causes of conflict between humans and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) in urban of Malawi. With its high population density, Malawi has shown significant instances of human-hyena conflict in settings.
They operate both within and beyond protected areas, and have a Conservation Research Centre and Lab located at Kumbali, as well as a field research camp in Kuti Wildlife Reserve near Salima.
Hyaenas of Lilongwe
Believe it or not, the capital city of Malawi has a healthy population of urban spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta). We have been working in community areas since 2013 to understand the ecology and drivers of conflict between people and spotted hyaena in urban areas in Malawi. Our Kumbali grounds are home to active hyaenas, which we study closely to gain insights into their behavior and interactions. Malawi is characterized by high population density, and our work has identified significant human-hyaena conflict outside protected areas. We are dedicated to understanding the behavioral ecology this urban population to inform conservation and human-wildlife conflict management.
Carnivore Call-in
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Join our exclusive group for an unforgettable wildlife encounter. The CRM team offers a rare opportunity to participate in a carnivore call-in and baiting session, where you'll help set bait, call in hyenas, and witness their arrival up close.
This intimate experience is designed for small groups and is available on a limited basis to ensure the highest quality interaction. A donation for bait is required to support this unique activity.
Important Details:
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Sessions are offered based on availability.
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Advance booking is essential—please provide at least one week’s notice.
Camera Trap Checking
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Join the CRM team on an exciting journey to explore the hidden world of wildlife. Accompany our experts as they inspect strategically placed cameras throughout the reserve, capturing the fascinating lives of its inhabitants.
After gathering the images, you'll return to the Research Camp to analyze the findings and uncover the stories behind the snapshots. This hands-on experience offers a rare glimpse into the day-to-day activities of the reserve's incredible wildlife.
If you're interested in taking part in any of these activities during your stay at Kumbali Country Lodge, reach out and let us know.
Lilongwe Wildlife Trust
A Unique Partnership: Lilongwe Wildlife Trust and Kumbali
At Kumbali, we are proud to work closely with the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust to support their vital mission of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. Through the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, the Trust provides care for animals in need, nursing them back to health and preparing them for life in the wild.
As part of the rehabilitation effort, some animals undergo 'soft releases', a process involving close monitoring before they are fully returned to the wild. Kumbali plays a critical role in this process by providing the necessary facilities for these soft releases.
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For animals that may not be suitable for full release—such as those who have become humanized and might face threats like poaching—Kumbali offers a safe haven where they can thrive in a secure environment.
Our proximity to the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre ensures that animals experience minimal stress during their transition, avoiding the long and often challenging journey to distant national parks.
Additionally, through our banana farm, we support the Trust's work by supplying free or heavily discounted fruit to supplement the diets of animals under their care. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to conservation and creating a sustainable future for Malawi's wildlife.
Lilongwe Wildlife Trust works at the forefront of wildlife rescue and conservation – and you could too
LWT offer fantastic placement opportunities
Wildlife sanctuary
Experience the life-saving work of rescue and rehabilitation at the award-winning Lilongwe Wildlife Centre.
Veterinary medicine
Get hands-on experience of wildlife vet medicine and wider welfare activities through a vet externship or short course (only open to vet students).
Wildlife research
Develop your field research and wildlife monitoring skills by supporting our work in beautiful Liwonde National Park.
Student research projects
Apply to do your own research project with us (note – your research topic must be clearly defined and in line with our own areas of work).