Liwonde National Park, founded in 1973, is 550 square kilometer. It is one of the most beautiful parks in the country and one of the far less travelled in Africa! The park is situated 160km north of Blantyre on the left bank of the Shire River, south of Lake Malawi.

Wildlife of Liwonde National Park
Liwonde National Park offers one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa! You will have the opportunity to spot a lot of elephant as the park hosts around 900! The elephant population has grown so much in the past years that it has become hard for them to survive, this is why some of them have been transported to Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve for what was “the biggest elephant translocation in Malawi”.
This isn’t the only translocation, in 2017, 4 cheetahs were re-introduced, and they have multiplied! As the only carnivores in the park (except for a few hyena) it was an all you can eat buffet for them until African Parks brought back the lions! With 23 black rhino joining our already strong population and Wild Dogs recently reintroduced this is fast becoming one of the hottest wildlife destinations in Africa.
The park is also inhabited by hundreds of crocs and hippos, antelope, zebra and buffalo. Liwonde National Park is also a birders paradise with more than 300 different species so there really is something for everyone!

Vegetation of Liwonde National Park
Liwonde National Park displays beautiful scenery all around the park and all year around. The river cuts through the entire park and on its bank the infamous Liwonde palm trees are drawing shadows when the sun is setting and attract the beautiful fish eagles and palm-nut vultures.

Things to do in Liwonde National Park
Boat safaris: Liwonde is renowned for its boat safari during which you will have the opportunity to get very close to hippos and crocs but also experience the amazing birdlife.
Game drives: Game drives are also offered by lodges located in Liwonde, this offers an opportunity to cover more ground and get closer to the land animals.
Walking safaris: Guided by a professional, stomp through the bush and get closer to nature than ever before, experience Liwonde from a different perspective and appreciate the smaller flora and fauna that makes up the eco-system.
Helicopter rides: You can partake in a helicopter ride for USD$200per person over the park with Brad the resident African Parks Helicopter pilot. To see the animals from above and also to learn a bit about the park and its history as well as the efforts African Parks are making to ensure the safety of the animals and the people surrounding the park.

Who the park is good for
Liwonde is a must-do for those who want a top notch safari away from the crowds. There are just 3 lodges within the park which means you can get close to the wildlife without the company of several other safari vehicles.
Liwonde is a conservation success story and with each day it is getting better, watch as the animal populations thrive! Are you an avid twitcher? Some specialists say it offers the best bird watching in Southern Africa.