Thank You, Maravi Express, for Featuring MPATAMANGA

I’m honoured that Maravi Express has featured my new book, MPATAMANGA. This article reflects on the publication, my 20-year conservation journey at Mpatamanga Wildlife Ranch, and why sharing Malawi’s conservation success stories matters.

Ian Bartlett

8/4/20262 min read

Book cover for Mpatamanga by Ian Bartlett, The Real Crocodile Hunter
Book cover for Mpatamanga by Ian Bartlett, The Real Crocodile Hunter

Thank You, Maravi Express, for Sharing the Story of MPATAMANGA. One of the greatest rewards of writing a book is knowing that its story is reaching people. I was therefore delighted and deeply grateful to Maravi Express for publishing a feature on the release of my new book, MPATAMANGA, and for helping share my conservation journey with readers in Malawi and beyond.

For more than twenty years, I quietly dedicated myself to protecting a small but remarkable corner of Malawi along the Shire River. It was never about recognition or publicity. My goal was simple: to conserve a piece of wilderness for future generations. Day after day, year after year, the work continued—protecting indigenous woodland, preventing illegal logging, reducing poaching, and giving nature the opportunity to recover.

When I began writing MPATAMANGA, I wanted to document that journey honestly. The book is not simply a collection of adventures; it is a record of perseverance, determination, and the realities of long-term conservation. It tells the story of the people I met, the challenges I faced, and the unforgettable experiences that shaped two decades of my life.

For that reason, seeing the book featured by Maravi Express was especially meaningful.

Independent journalism plays an important role in highlighting stories that might otherwise go unnoticed. Conservation successes are often quiet successes. They rarely make headlines because they happen gradually, sometimes over decades rather than days. Forests recover slowly. Wildlife returns slowly. Ecosystems heal slowly. Yet these are the stories that deserve to be told because they remind us that patient stewardship can produce extraordinary results.

I want to express my sincere thanks to Duncan Mlanjira and everyone at Maravi Express for taking the time to tell the story of MPATAMANGA. Their continued interest in both my conservation work and my writing has helped bring attention to the importance of protecting Malawi’s natural heritage. Over the past year, they have also reported on my first book, Memoirs of a Real Crocodile Hunter, and on the conservation achievements at Mpatamanga Wildlife Ranch. That ongoing support is greatly appreciated.

I also hope this publication encourages more people to visit Malawi’s remarkable natural landscapes and to recognise the importance of conservation. Our country possesses extraordinary wildlife, forests, rivers and scenery that deserve both protection and celebration.

I’m grateful to Maravi Express for helping share my conservation journey. Read their full article below:

https://www.maraviexpress.com/the-real-crocodile-hunter%EF%B8%8F-releases-book-mpatamanga-detailing-his-20-years-experience-in-environmental-conservation/

Finally, thank you to everyone who has already supported MPATAMANGA. Whether you have purchased a copy, shared a post, left a review or simply offered words of encouragement, your support means more than you may realise.

Writing this book has allowed me to preserve the story of a place that became part of my life. I hope it also inspires others to believe that one person’s commitment can make a lasting difference.

MPATAMANGA is available worldwide in paperback, hardcover and Kindle on Amazon.https://a.co/d/05snRnQN

Learn more about my conservation work at Mpatamanga Wildlife Ranch: https:mpatamangawildliferanch.com