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National Parks & Wildlife Reserves
Malawi has nine national parks and wildlife reserves but six are especially recommended for visitors. There are also many attractive and accessible forest reserves. All the parks and reserves are uncrowded and give visitors an excellent experience of unspoilt wilderness.
NYIKA NATIONAL PARK: Situated in the far north of the country, the park’s unique rolling grassland covers most of the Nyika Plateau, which lies at an altitude of 2000-3000m (6562-9843ft). The whaleback hills are broken by deep valleys and occasional patches of evergreen, natural forest and bubbling streams. Nyika is known to sustain many rare birds and butterflies, game and a multitude of flowers, including an incredible range of orchids. At Chelinda there is a variety of accommodation including new luxury log cabins. The lodges and camps are set high up on the edge of a pine forest, overlooking trout-filled lakes. The enormous plateau has zebra, antelope, leopard and hyena as well as elephant on the lower slopes. A speciality of Chelinda is its horse safaris. There is an airstrip for visitors arriving by air.
VWASA MARSH WILDLIFE RESERVE: Located to the west of Mzuzu. A camp with luxury reed huts has been established overlooking Lake Kazuni. There is a variety of game including elephant, buffalo and hippo as well as a large number of bird species. There is a mix of woodland, open grassland and marsh. This is a totally unspoilt reserve.
KASUNGU NATIONAL PARK: Situated in the northwest of the central region, 112km (68 miles) from Lilongwe, Kasungu National Park consists of some 2000 sq km (770 sq miles) of woodland. The park is best known for its elephants, which appear in the early morning and evening to drink from dambos (river channels). The grasslands support large herds of buffalo, as well as a variety of antelope such as kudu and reedbuck. Predators such as lion and leopard may be seen. Accommodation in the park is easily accessed at Lifupa where there are luxury rondavels as well as a separate self-catering camp.
LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK: Situated in the Shire Valley, south of Lake Malawi and north of Zomba, Liwonde is the most popular of the national parks. The River Shire flows along the eastern border of the park allowing for boat safaris. The river is frequented by vast numbers of hippo, and elephants and crocodiles can also be seen. There is a wide range of game in the park, including rhino and various antelope. Through introductions, Liwonde will soon have the big five for visitors to see. The birdlife includes one of the greatest variety of species in Africa. There is accommodation in the park at Mvuu, including a luxury lodge and a separate permanent camp and camping site. Walking and driving safaris (in four-wheel-drive vehicles) are on offer. There is a landing strip for visitors coming by air. A new safari lodge has been opened on a hill site in the southern part of the park.
LAKE MALAWI NATIONAL PARK: Close to Monkey Bay, this reserve lies towards the southern extremity of the lake. Opened in 1980, it was the world’s first freshwater national park and its setting and attractions are world-renowned. Tropical fish, which can be viewed with the use of scuba equipment and masks, are a speciality of the park, while further inland klipspringer, bushbuck and vervet monkeys may be seen. Access to the park is easy throughout the year. There is a limited range of accommodation (mid-range and budget) but a hotel is planned and there is good accommodation on two islands in the lake. Many visitors make day-trips from the hotels on the lakeshore south of Monkey Bay.
LENGWE NATIONAL PARK: Lengwe National Park is in the Lower Shire Valley and is only 130 sq km (80 sq miles) in extent. The park has the distinction of being the farthest point north where the rare Nyala antelope can be found. Also here is the diminutive Livingstone’s Suni, one of the smallest of antelopes, as well as the rare Blue or Samango monkey. These and other game can be viewed from concealed hides. Although there is limited accommodation here, it is possible to visit the park in a day-trip from Blantyre.
OTHER PARKS: Of the other wildlife reserves, the vast Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve is little developed and lacks drivable tracks. However, there is a good range of game including lion and elephant. Accommodation can be had nearby along the lakeshore. Majete and Mwabvi Wildlife Reserves are in the Lower Shire Valley. Majete has little viewable game and Mwabvi is difficult to access.
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