Liwonde National Park in Malawi is one of the most beautiful. Located at the southern tip Lake Malombe just south of Lake Malawi, near the Mozambique Border. Liwonde is a wildlife paradise with its amazing wildlife reintroductions.
Liwonde, a park that has been saved from destruction and is now a Big-5 safari and one of Malawi’s most important protected zones, is a remarkable story. When tourism to Malawi was at an all-time low, the 548km² park fell into disrepair. Conflicts between humans and wildlife increased. The park was awash in wire snares, and large mammals and raptors had disappeared. Liwonde, a park in terminal decay, was no longer a place to be.
In part due to the phenomenal success of Majete Wildlife Reserve in the area, Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife formed a partnership with the non-profit organisation African Parks. African Parks took on the management of Liwonde in 2015 and began the process to transform the park into an ecosystem that is viable and a destination for safaris. Equally important was the building of good relationships between communities surrounding the park and the park itself – no protected area can flourish without benefiting its human neighbours. Liwonde’s revitalization and reinvention has taken place over the past nine years.
After implementing highly effective conservation laws, using advanced technology to monitor and protect wildlife, and removing over 40,000 wire snares it was time to get the animals back.
In 2017, African Parks started re-establishing Liwonde’s predator population, by bringing back the cheetah. The cheetah had been absent from Liwonde for over a century. In 2018, lions were reintroduced. After a 60-year hiatus, Liwonde received 8 endangered African Wild Dogs in 2021. As luck would have it, one of the females was pregnant, and the pack welcomed nine pups six weeks later – the first litter of wild dogs born in Malawi in decades! In 2019, 17 black Rhinos were relocated to Liwonde from South Africa, in the largest black rhino translocation in history. The now-thriving Liwonde eco system also supports massive herds over 1,000 buffalo. It is also one of Africa’s best places to see the endangered Sable antelope. Liwonde is now a real sanctuary, thanks to wildlife translocations and reintroductions.
Sadly, in November 2022, tragedy struck in Liwonde. The GPS collars of the adult wild dogs stopped working and, after extensive searches, the monitoring team discovered the entire pack dead. Poisoned. A tragedy. African Wild Dogs now live in Liwonde, according to some exciting recent news. In February 2024, a new pack arrived from South Africa in Liwonde. After spending several weeks in an acclimatisation boma, the dogs have been released into the bush.
Return of aerial scavengers is one of the benefits of increasing predators in Liwonde. When African Parks acquired the park in 2015, there were no vultures. Today, hundreds of sightings of at least six species of vultures have been recorded. Birding in Liwonde, despite the vultures, is excellent all year long. Over 460 species have been recorded, including some specials such as Lillian’s lovebirds, Pel’s fish owls and Boehm bee-eaters.
Liwonde: When to visit
Liwonde’s best time to visit is during the dry seasons, which runs from April to October. The park is dry and wildlife gathers around the remaining water in the river systems. Rainy season does have its benefits. When the first thunder storms hit the November nights the bushveld turns from a dust bowl to a lush, emerald paradise.
Liwonde: 5 reasons to visit
1. Some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in Africa include elephant, crocodiles and hippopotami.
2. Black rhinos are rare and critically threatened.
3. The woodlands are a beautiful cathedral-like structure with a good population of buffalo and sable Antelope.
4. The palm-studded floodplains provide a stunning view.
5. Birdwatchers can easily see the Pel’s Fishing Owl, Boehm Bee-eaters, Lilian Lovebirds and Livingstone Flycatcher.
Kje bivati
Liwonde is one of Africa’s best-kept secrets. It offers a range of accommodation options, from budget to high-end.
Kuthengo Camp
Kuthengo Camp has four spacious safari tents that are en-suite, with bathtubs and outdoor showers. They are nestled amongst fever trees, baobabs, and a large open area stretching towards the Shire River. There is something for everyone, from adventurous game drives and hiking safaris to relaxing boat cruises along Shire River.
Mvuu Lodge, Mvuu Camp
Mvuu Lodge, hidden amongst Shire’s iconic fever trees, overlooks Namagogodo lagoon as it flows out from the park interior to the river. There are 5 comfortable tented cabins with private viewing terraces, and 3 spectacular suites with outdoor showers. This is the ideal spot for early morning bushwalks, slow sailing along the Shire, thrilling games drives or meaningful community engagements.
Mvuu Camp is situated at a stunning vantage point along the Shire River. The river is a magnet to wildlife, attracting a wide variety of fauna. The 14-unit camp is a mix between spacious stone and canvas tents and specially designed family chalets. A stunning thatched dining area and lounge area provides a spectacular river view, framed by two baobab trees. Sometimes dinners are held under the stars, in a specially built boma. Mvuu Camp makes a great option for family vacations. It is especially suitable for families with younger children, as it has a two-bedroom cabin designed for that purpose.
Chimwala Bush Camp
Chimwala Bush Camp, a self-catering camping facility, features four canvas tent suites with stone walls. A separate stone family cottage is also available. The elevated thatched central area – lounge, dining area, bar and swimming pool – overlooks the Shire River and floodplain below. The camp is nestled against Chinguni Hill, in the shade of miombo and mopane woodland. Chimwala’s perimeter is enclosed by a fence. The camp is located deep in the park, near the most productive viewing areas. The family cottage at Chimwala Bush Camp is to remain self-catering until 2024 when it will be converted into an all-inclusive camp. The camp is run by African Parks, and 100% of the tourism revenue earned by African Parks is donated to conservation and local communities.
