Why we like it
- Some of the best river-based elephant, crocodile, hippo and general wildlife viewing in Africa
- Home to the rare and critically endangered black rhino as well as the historic elephant translocation
- A bird watcher’s delight with easy viewing of Pel’s fishing owl, Boehm’s bee-eaters, Lilian’s lovebirds, and Livingstone’s flycatcher
- Mopane woodlands interspersed with candelabra euphorbia with good populations of buffalo and sable antelope
Liwonde National Park is the home of incredible wildlife translocations and reintroductions, which has seen predators restored to the park for the first time in two decades
Liwonde National Park, covering 548 square kilometres, is considered the most prolific wildlife area in Malawi. The Shire River – the country’s largest river and Lake Malawi’s only outlet – forms the Park’s western boundary and harbours a dense population of hippo, crocodiles and large numbers of elephant. Antelope such as impala, waterbuck, reedbuck and bushbuck are plentiful along the banks. In the east, relatively dry mopane woodlands are interspersed with candelabra trees, an area favoured by buffalo, yellow baboon and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest.
The ideal time to visit the park is during the dry season, from April to October. During this time, the bush is dry and open, making the game easier to spot. Liwonde National Park has three distinct seasons, each with unique characteristics and reasons to visit. From November – March, the rain arrives, and conditions are typically hot and wet. The humidity peaks during January and February, and the bush becomes thick. The time of year is particularly beautiful and verdant; however, spotting game can be tricker with the dense bush. From April – August, temperatures are cooler, and rainfall drops during this period. It is advisable to take warmer clothing for activities during the early morning and evenings or on the river, particularly in July and August.
Temperatures are extremely high from September – October, and it is very hot and dry during these months. The landscape is sparse and dry, with limited vegetation cover, but game viewing is plentiful.
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Explore Malawi's Liwonde National Park
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