- What Is The Nyika-Vwaza Trust?
About the trust
Established in 2025, the Nyika-Vwaza Trust is a long-term co-management partnership supporting the protection and development of Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve in Malawi.
Governed through a shared board structure involving government, communities and conservation partners, the Trust works to strengthen ecological resilience, community partnership, and long-term economic and environmental stewardship across one of southern Africa’s most important connected ecosystems.
Why does this landscape matter?
The Nyika-Vwaza landscape encompasses two of Malawi’s most significant protected areas. Together, Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve form a connected landscape of exceptional ecological, economic and national importance.
From the high-altitude grasslands and forests of the Nyika Plateau to the wetlands and woodlands of Vwaza, the landscape supports remarkable biodiversity, secures vital water resources and provides opportunities for sustainable tourism and local economic development. Managing these protected areas as one connected landscape strengthens conservation outcomes while creating long-term benefits for people, nature and Malawi’s economy.
A globally significant ecoregion
Recorded Plant Species
Nyika supports one of the richest floras in the region, including exceptional orchid diversity with several endemic and near-endemic species.
Nyika National Park is one of Africa’s most important Afromontane landscapes and forms part of a globally recognised ecoregion. Its rolling montane grasslands, forests and spectacular seasonal wildflower displays support an extraordinary diversity of plants and wildlife found nowhere else in Malawi.
More than 1 225 plant species have been recorded across the plateau, including exceptional orchid diversity with several endemic and near-endemic species. Together with the woodlands and wetlands of Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve, these ecosystems create one of southern Africa’s most distinctive protected area landscapes.
Water, Wildlife and Connected Ecosystems
The Nyika Plateau forms one of Malawi’s most important mountain catchments, supplying freshwater that supports downstream ecosystems, agriculture and communities while contributing to the health of Lake Malawi.
Together, Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve create a connected system of forests, wetlands and grasslands that allows ecological processes and wildlife movement to function across a much broader landscape than either protected area could support alone.
Mountain Catchments & Downstream Impact
Securing the freshwater channels on the Nyika Plateau protects around 10% of the annual inflow into Lake Malawi, directly supporting fisheries, agriculture, and millions of livelihoods.
A Landscape That Sustains People
Healthy protected areas support far more than biodiversity. They safeguard the natural systems that underpin livelihoods, strengthen climate resilience and create opportunities for sustainable economic development.
With effective management and long-term investment, the Nyika-Vwaza landscape has the potential to expand nature-based tourism, support local enterprise, create employment and generate lasting benefits for surrounding communities while protecting the natural capital on which future generations depend.
Conservation is an investment in Malawi's future
Healthy ecosystems support water security, tourism, employment and resilient local economies. A simple infographic illustrating how healthy ecosystems underpin tourism, jobs, water security and local livelihoods.
Part of Something Bigger
The Nyika-Vwaza landscape forms part of the Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area, contributing to a broader network of connected ecosystems that strengthens ecological resilience and promotes collaboration across international boundaries.
Managing Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve through a shared landscape approach enables coordinated planning, more effective conservation and greater opportunities for long-term investment than managing each protected area independently.
Protecting this landscape is therefore about far more than conserving wildlife. It is about securing healthy ecosystems, strengthening local economies and ensuring that one of Malawi’s most important natural assets continues to deliver environmental, social and economic value for generations to come.
One connected landscape
The Nyika-Vwaza landscape links conservation, communities and sustainable development within the wider Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area. A location map showing where the Nyika-Vwaza landscape sits within the Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area.
Why the Trust Was Established
Conserving landscapes of this scale requires more than protected area boundaries. It requires a long-term institution capable of bringing together government, communities, conservation partners and investors around a shared vision for the future.
The Trust was established to:
01
Manage the landscape as one connected system
02
Strengthen long-term governance
Provide an accountable institutional framework that supports government leadership, community participation and long-term investment.
03
Build Malawian leadership and capacity
Invest in local leadership, technical skills and institutional capability so that the expertise needed to manage the landscape remains in Malawi for generations to come.
04
Create lasting value for people and nature
Protect natural capital while supporting tourism, livelihoods, employment and sustainable economic development across the landscape.
By managing Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve through a shared co-management framework, the Trust helps unlock greater ecological, social and economic benefits. Its long-term success will be measured not only by healthier ecosystems, but by stronger national institutions, empowered local leadership and more resilient communities.
How the Trust is Governed
The Nyika-Vwaza Trust is governed through a shared board structure representing government, communities and conservation partners, providing independent oversight and long-term accountability for the landscape.
Journey to Co-management
Purpose
To conserve and steward landscapes where nature and local communities can thrive together.
Vision
A thriving landscape where wildlife, ecosystems, and local communities flourish together for generations to come.
Mission
To conserve and manage protected landscapes through partnership, stewardship, and responsible governance.
Water
Protecting a vital water catchment
Nature
Safeguarding irreplaceable biodiversity
Wildlife
Supporting the return of wildlife
Livelihoods
Strengthening local livelihoods
Opportunity
Unlocking the landscape's potential
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about the Nyika-Vwaza Co-management Trust, our governance framework, conservation strategies, and community partnerships.
Understanding the Trust
What is the Nyika-Vwaza Co-management Trust?
The Nyika-Vwaza Co-management Trust is a long-term co-management institution established in 2025 to support the protection and development of Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve. Working in partnership with government, communities and conservation partners, the Trust provides a framework for coordinated management, long-term investment and sustainable development across the landscape.
How is the Nyika-Vwaza Co-management Trust different from a conservation NGO?
The Nyika-Vwaza Co-management Trust is not a short-term conservation project or implementing NGO. It is a long-term institution (Special Purpose Vehicle) established to support the co-management of the landscape through shared governance, professional management and sustained investment. Its focus is on building the systems, partnerships and local capacity needed to ensure that conservation and development continue to deliver lasting benefits for Malawi well into the future.
Why was the Trust established?
The Trust was established to create a long-term institution capable of coordinating landscape management, strengthening governance, attracting sustained investment and building national capacity. It provides continuity beyond individual projects and helps ensure that conservation, tourism and community development are planned and managed as part of a shared long-term vision.
Why were Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve brought together?
Although distinct protected areas, Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve form a connected ecological landscape. Managing them through a single co-management framework enables coordinated planning, more efficient use of resources, stronger ecological connectivity and greater opportunities for conservation, tourism and sustainable economic development than managing each area independently.
Governance
What is co-management?
Co-management is a collaborative approach in which government works alongside communities and specialist partners to manage protected areas. It combines public ownership with shared governance, professional management and long-term investment while ensuring that conservation delivers lasting benefits for people as well as nature.
What role does the Government of Malawi play?
The Government of Malawi retains ownership of Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve. Together with Peace Parks Foundation, it established the Trust through the 20-year co-management agreement and is represented on its Board. The Trust operates within this government mandate while providing professional management of the two protected areas.
Who owns the protected areas?
Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve remain the property of the Government of Malawi. The Trust does not own the protected areas. It supports their long-term management through a formal co-management agreement with government.
How is the Nyika-Vwaza Trust governed?
The Trust is governed through a Board representing government, communities and conservation partners. This shared governance model provides strategic oversight, accountability and long-term stewardship while supporting transparent decision-making and professional management.
How are communities represented?
People, Partnerships & Impact
How does the Trust benefit Malawi?
The Trust contributes to biodiversity conservation, water security, sustainable tourism, employment, local enterprise and long-term economic development. By strengthening institutions and investing in local capacity, it also helps ensure that the skills and systems needed to manage the landscape remain in Malawi for future generations.
What role does Peace Parks Foundation play?
Peace Parks Foundation is one of the Trust’s conservation partners, providing technical expertise and implementation support while working alongside government and other stakeholders. The Trust is an independent institution governed through its own Board and established to build long-term local leadership and management capacity.
How is the Trust funded?
The Trust is supported through a combination of partner investment, donor funding and long-term financing mechanisms that help ensure the sustainable management of the landscape. Over time, nature-based tourism and other sustainable revenue streams are expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting conservation and development.
How can I support or partner with the Trust?
The Trust welcomes collaboration with government agencies, communities, conservation organisations, researchers, tourism operators, donors and responsible private sector partners who share its vision for the long-term stewardship of the Nyika-Vwaza landscape. Please contact us to discuss partnership opportunities.
Visiting the Landscape
Can I visit Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve?
Yes. Both protected areas offer outstanding opportunities to experience Malawi’s natural heritage. Visitors can explore spectacular landscapes, unique wildlife and exceptional biodiversity while supporting the long-term conservation and sustainable development of the landscape.
How does tourism support conservation?
Nature-based tourism helps generate sustainable revenue that supports protected area management, creates employment, stimulates local enterprise and contributes to the long-term conservation of the Nyika-Vwaza landscape.
Understanding the Trust
What is the Nyika Vwaza Co-management Trust?
The Nyika Vwaza Co-management Trust is a long-term co-management institution established in 2025 to support the protection and development of Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve. Working in partnership with government, communities and conservation partners, the Trust provides a framework for coordinated management, long-term investment and sustainable development across the landscape.
How is the Nyika Vwaza Co-management Trust different from a conservation NGO?
The Nyika Vwaza Co-management Trust is not a short-term conservation project or implementing NGO. It is a long-term institution (Special Purpose Vehicle) established to support the co-management of the landscape through shared governance, professional management and sustained investment. Its focus is on building the systems, partnerships and local capacity needed to ensure that conservation and development continue to deliver lasting benefits for Malawi well into the future.
Why was the Trust established?
The Trust was established to create a long-term institution capable of coordinating landscape management, strengthening governance, attracting sustained investment and building national capacity. It provides continuity beyond individual projects and helps ensure that conservation, tourism and community development are planned and managed as part of a shared long-term vision.
Why were Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve brought together?
Although distinct protected areas, Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve form a connected ecological landscape. Managing them through a single co-management framework enables coordinated planning, more efficient use of resources, stronger ecological connectivity and greater opportunities for conservation, tourism and sustainable economic development than managing each area independently.
Governance
What is co-management?
Co-management is a collaborative approach in which government works alongside communities and specialist partners to manage protected areas. It combines public ownership with shared governance, professional management and long-term investment while ensuring that conservation delivers lasting benefits for people as well as nature.
Who owns the protected areas?
Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve remain the property of the Government of Malawi. The Trust does not own the protected areas. It supports their long-term management through a formal co-management agreement with government.
How is the Nyika-Vwaza Trust governed?
The Trust is governed through a Board representing government, communities and conservation partners. This shared governance model provides strategic oversight, accountability and long-term stewardship while supporting transparent decision-making and professional management.
How are communities represented?
People, Partnerships & Impact
How does the Trust benefit Malawi?
The Trust contributes to biodiversity conservation, water security, sustainable tourism, employment, local enterprise and long-term economic development. By strengthening institutions and investing in local capacity, it also helps ensure that the skills and systems needed to manage the landscape remain in Malawi for future generations.
What role does Peace Parks Foundation play?
Peace Parks Foundation is one of the Trust’s conservation partners, providing technical expertise and implementation support while working alongside government and other stakeholders. The Trust is an independent institution governed through its own Board and established to build long-term local leadership and management capacity.
How is the Trust funded?
The Trust is supported through a combination of partner investment, donor funding and long-term financing mechanisms that help ensure the sustainable management of the landscape. Over time, nature-based tourism and other sustainable revenue streams are expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting conservation and development.
How can I support or partner with the Trust?
The Trust welcomes collaboration with government agencies, communities, conservation organisations, researchers, tourism operators, donors and responsible private sector partners who share its vision for the long-term stewardship of the Nyika-Vwaza landscape. Please contact us to discuss partnership opportunities.
Visiting the Landscape
Can I visit Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve?
Yes. Both protected areas offer outstanding opportunities to experience Malawi’s natural heritage. Visitors can explore spectacular landscapes, unique wildlife and exceptional biodiversity while supporting the long-term conservation and sustainable development of the landscape.
How does tourism support conservation?
Nature-based tourism helps generate sustainable revenue that supports protected area management, creates employment, stimulates local enterprise and contributes to the long-term conservation of the Nyika-Vwaza landscape.
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Donors & Partners
The long-term management of the Nyika-Vwaza landscape is made possible through the support of our partners.
