Mangochi Forest Reserve (6675)
Malawi, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1b, A2, B4

Year of last assessment: 2025

National site name: Mangochi Forest Reserve

Central coordinates: Latitude: -14.5186, Longitude: 35.4756

System: terrestrial, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 500 to 1742

Area of KBA (km²): 408.13429

Protected area coverage (%): 98.94

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Established as a Forest Reserve in 1948, this site’s name is derived from the name of the district (Mangochi) where it is located as well as from the Mangochi Mountain, which rises to a peak of 1,742 meters. It covers a wide altitudinal range, rising from the Lake shore plain (500 meters) on the south-western side near Lake Malombe. In terms of habitat structure with respect to altitudinal changes, three main types of habitats exist on the mountain. The lower part (up to 1,400 -1,450 m) comprises mainly of Miombo woodland (c. 38,824.8 ha) while the area above 1,450 m (up to 1,550 – 1,700 m) is covered by rocky grassland (c. 1,400 ha) and montane rain forest (c. 230 ha). Despite years of continued decline in the size and quality of habitats on this mountain, nearly 150 bird species have been recorded on the site, with more expected to occur as more data becomes available. The site is home to a small population of elephants, a breeding population of leopard and unique species of butterflies and birds (e.g. the near endemic and Vulnerable Thyolo Alethe Chamaetylas choloensis).

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because of one bird species and one ecosystem which have met the criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance. The Chamaetylas choloensis has met criterion A1b and the Lake Chiuta Catchment Rivers ecosystem has met criteria A2a and B4.

Additional biodiversity: Additional ecosystem types occurring on the site include Lake Chiuta Catchment Rivers (c. 599 ha); Shire Catchment Rivers (1,903.6 ha); and South East Lake Shore Catchment Rivers (112.5 ha). The site supports over 150 species of birds, notably the Vulnerable (VU) Chamaetylas choloensis and the Near Threatened (NT) Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera. Mangochi Forest Reserve is also the only Malawi locality for the bat Otomops martiensseni.

Manageability of the site: Since establishment in 1948, the site was initially managed by the Malawi government through the Forestry department. It is now managed by African Parks Network (APN) in partnership with the Government of Malawi, as part of a unified ecosystem management approach with Liwonde National Park. Although the protected areas fall under different government departments - Forestry and the Department of National Parks and Willdife - they are jointly managed by APN under a single Management Plan.

Supersedes another site: None

Other site values: Mangochi Forest Reserve is a protected area governed by the Forestry (Amendment Act) of 2020 and the Forestry Policy of 2018.

Delineation rationale: It aligns with the Mangochi Forest Reserve boundary (WDPA ID: 33157) and adjoins Liwonde National Park at the southern end.

Habitats

Summary of habitats in KBA: The site consists of a combination of drier Miombo woodland and open Miombo hills (up to 1,450 m), followed by rocky grassland and rain forest blocks (1,450 m - 1,700 m). Other habitats present include Shire Catchment Rivers, Shire Catchment Rivers and South East Lake Shore catchment rivers.

Land use: Malawi's Forestry Act and the National Forestry Policy regulate land management and utilization in the reserve, restricting the land to conservation purposes. The land use in surrounding areas is predominantly farming, settlement and fishing.

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)	6	Wetlands (inland) – Seasonal/intermittent/irregular rivers/streams/creeks
Savanna	20	Savanna - Dry
Forest	74	Forest – Subtropical/tropical dry

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Illegal tree felling is relatively high especially along the low lying Miombo woodland due to its nearness to communities. The rainforest on the top remains intact. Dry season fires occasionally cause damage on the mountain. High human density around the site which exacerbate other threats such as poaching and encroachment into the site.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Human intrusions & disturbance	Work & other activities		Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Fire & fire suppression	Increase in fire frequency/intensity	Ongoing

Additional information

References: 1. African Parks (n.d.). Mangochi Forest Reserve: https://www.africanparks.org/the-parks/mangochi 2. Françoise Dowsett-Lemaire, Dowsett R., J., & Dyer A. M.,. (n.d.). Important Bird Areas in Africa and associated islands – Malawi. 536–556. http://datazone.birdlife.org/userfiles/file/IBAs/AfricaCntryPDFs/Malawi.pdf 3. Government of Malawi (2003): The General Management Plan for the Liwonde - Mangochi Protected Area Complex (2004-2014). Unpublished report, Department of Parks and Wildlife and Department of Forestry.