AboutLiwonde National Park
Liwonde National Park, although fairly small in comparison to the rest of Malawi’s Wildlife parks, is a very popular park to visit. Wildlife includes large numbers of elephants, buffalo, hippos and crocodiles as well as kudu, sable and bushbuck. Predators include lions, cheetahs and hyena. It also has an impressive variety of birds.
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Majestic baobabs in Liwonde National Park Majestic baobabs in Liwonde National Park -
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The beautiful flood planes of Liwonde National Park The beautiful flood planes of Liwonde National Park
The Liwonde National Park region
Liwonde National Park
Frequently asked questions about Liwonde National Park
Liwonde is one of Malawi’s most rewarding safari areas because it combines river scenery, rich wildlife and a strong conservation story in one compact park. The Shire River shapes much of the experience, drawing elephants, hippos, crocodiles and antelope to the water. Inland, game drives offer a different view of the park, with chances of seeing predators, rhino and a variety of plains game. It is a great choice for travellers who want a safari that feels wild, scenic and less crowded than many better-known National Parks in Africa.
Liwonde is best experienced through a mix of both. Boat safaris on the Shire River are ideal for relaxed wildlife viewing and photographinghippos, crocodiles, elephants and waterbirds. Game drives take you deeper into the park, where you have a better chance of seeing species such as lion, cheetah, rhino (seldom), buffalo and antelope. The contrast is what makes Liwonde so interesting: the river gives you slow, atmospheric sightings, while the inland areas add classic safari excitement.
The dry season, especially from June to October, is excellent for wildlife viewing because animals gather closer to the Shire River as inland water becomes scarcer. September and October can be particularly rewarding for sightings, although October is also one of the hotter months. The greener months bring lush scenery, fewer visitors, newborn animals and excellent birding, especially when migratory birds return. Liwonde is notably renowned for its birding, so this is an ideal time for keen birders to visit. The best time overall depends on what your main interests are.
Liwonde is home to elephants, hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, antelope, sable, kudu, bushbuck and many other species. The park has also become recognised for its successful wildlife restoration programme, with lions, cheetah, black rhino and African wild dogs reintroduced since 2017. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the mix of river habitats, floodplains and woodland gives Liwonde impressive wildlife variety for a relatively compact park.
Yes. Liwonde is a good birding destination, with more than 400 recorded bird species. The Shire River, wetlands, floodplains and woodlands create excellent habitat for waterbirds, raptors and colourful woodland species. Notable species include Pel’s fishing owl, African fish eagle, palm-nut vulture, Livingstone’s flycatcher and Lilian’s lovebird. Even for non-birders, the river setting makes birdlife a memorable part of the safari.
Camps & Lodges in the Liwonde National Park region
More aboutLiwonde National Park
Liwonde National Park is relatively small. It lies to the south of Lake Malawi on the Shire River, which flows into the Zambezi River. Due to its proximity to both the capital Blantyre and Cape Maclear, Liwonde National Park is one of the most visited parks in Malawi. But not only its convenient location makes this park worth visiting. The park is a great place to go on unforgettable safaris and see the most beautiful animals! Think for example of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, rhinos, lions, cheetah, various antelopes and more.
A visit to Liwonde National Park is a must during your visit to Malawi. Fill in the form below and we’ll tell you all about this magical adventure.
History
Liwonde National Park was established in 1973. Chief Liwonde, after whom the park is named, had made a strong commitment to protect the wildlife in the Malawian park. Today, several local people are working hard to protect the park. But the conservation committee goes one step further than just protecting the area. Thanks to various development projects, the park is constantly expanding, making Liwonde National Park a fantastic safari destination today.
In 2015, African Parks took over management of Liwonde. In doing so, the biggest priority was to rebuild the fences around the park. This significantly reduced the harmful impact of poaching, also because the fences came with constant surveillance.
Wildlife
Malawi is the perfect destination for the safari-goer who wants to encounter as few tourists as possible along the way. In contrast, the diversity of wildlife in Malawi, and Liwonde National Park, is numerous. For example, the Big Five are all present in this park.
Liwonde is approximately 55,000 hectares in size. Its fertile environment makes it an attractive setting for wildlife. The park is home to crocodiles, hippos, elephants, antelopes, klipspringers, buffalos, hyenas, wild dogs, cheetah, and lions. Black rhinos are also regularly spotted in Liwonde. Other commonly seen animals are roan, hartebeest and kudus.
In Liwonde you can go on safari however you like. There are safaris on foot, on a vehicle or in a boat. During a boat safari you will sail over the Shire River. Here you will enjoy the variety of animals that visit the waterfront to cool off or to drink. A game drive goes further inland. This increases the chance of seeing more beautiful land animals, such as lions, cheetah and black rhinos.
Birds
Liwonde is a wetland area and therefore a fine habitat for an incredible number of birds. The park is home to no less than around 400 different species of birds. During your trip to Liwonde, you can enjoy the most beautiful birds, such as Pel’s fishing owls, palm-nut vultures, ospreys and Lilian’s love birds. Many birds make their nests in the bushes along the waterfront. But also, at higher altitudes many birds live, like the African fish eagle.
Camps & Lodges
The park offers two wonderful accommodations for a fantastic stay, namely Kuthengo Camp and Mvuu Lodge. Kuthengo Camp is located on the banks of the Shire River and is hidden between the fever and baobab trees. Here you will enjoy a beautiful view over the river and everything that lives around it. In the camp itself you will find a lounge, dining area and bar. Moreover, you can cool down in the swimming pool. In your tent, you have access to a bath and outdoor shower. A wonderful, relaxing experience.
Mvuu Lodge is a quiet, serene retreat on the banks of the Shire River. From here you can take the most beautiful boat safaris. Moreover, there is a very good chance that you will spot hippos from this lodge. Mvuu also means hippo in the local Chichewa language.
The cozy tents of Mvuu are hidden in nature. This not only guarantees privacy, but also gives you the real feeling of being immersed in nature. You will enjoy your own veranda from where you can look at all the beauty the area has to offer. In addition, Mvuu has a swimming pool, restaurant and relaxing lounge.
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