National Parks
National Parks
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Nyika National Park
180km from Mzuzu
Located in northern Malawi, Nyika National Park covers an area of 3,200km2 and is the largest national park in Malawi. It is also Malawi's oldest national park, having been established in 1965. Almost the entire Nyika Plateau, which rises over 2,500m above sea level, is designated as a national park, and the landscape of rolling hills, grasslands and flowers is breathtakingly stunning, leaving visitors speechless. The name Nyika means “Where the water comes from”, since the plateau is Malawi's most important catchment area. It is also home to the richest orchid population in south-central Africa, with more than 200 species in bloom during the rainy season. Eleven of these species are endemic to Nyika, and a further 27 are found nowhere else in Malawi. Nearly 100 species of mammal have been recorded in Nyika National Park, including large herds of antelope and the largest population of leopard in Central Africa. You can also see eland, roan, zebra, buffalo and elephant. Moreover, night drives also offer the possibility of encountering hyenas and other small nocturnal predators. Nyika is also one of Malawi's leading birding destinations, with over 400 bird species and four species found in Nyika that have not been recorded elsewhere in Malawi (Yellow Mountain Warbler, Chirring Cisticola, Ayres Cisticola and Mountain Marsh Widow). The best way to appreciate the majestic scenery of Nyika is by taking a three-day hike to Livingstonia. Mountain bikes can also be hired at the lodge.
Activities
Game Drive Night Safari Game Walk Mountain Biking Birding Trekking
Lake Malawi National Park
220km from Lilongwe
Lake Malawi is the third largest lake in Africa and the ninth largest in the world, with a maximum depth of 700m in the northern part of the lake, making it the third deepest lake in the world. With its golden sandy beaches and glistening turquoise waters, Lake Malawi was dubbed “the Lake of Stars” by David Livingstone. Located at the southern end of Lake Malawi, Lake Malawi National Park was the world's first freshwater national park and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. The park covers a total area of 94km² and comprises of the land around Cape Maclear Bay (87km²), the lake (7km²) and 13 islands up to 100m offshore. The crystal-clear water is thought to be home to some 1,000 species of vibrant cichlid fish, creating a kaleidoscope of colours below the surface. As a single lake, it is home to the largest variety of freshwater fish in the world, more than the number of freshwater fish species in Europe and North America combined. Lake Malawi National Park is not only a picturesque wonder with a rich diversity of fish, but it is also one of the best places in the world to enjoy a variety of water sports. Scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, kayaking, parasailing, boat trips and any other water sport you can think of are available all year round.
Activities
Scuba Diving Snorkelling Kayaking Birding Sailing Boat Trip
Kasungu National Park
150km from Lilongwe
Located west of Kasungu town, along the border with Zambia, Kasungu National Park is the closest national park to Lilongwe and was declared a national park in 1970. With an area of 2,316 km², it is Malawi's second largest national park after Nyika National Park. The park was once a favourite destination of the first President of Malawi, Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda. Kasungu National Park consists of miombo woodlands, grasslands and rolling hills, with a small lake and a wide marshy river. The Dwanga and Lingadzi river are the main sources of water for the ecosystem, especially during the hot dry season from September to November, when water levels drop and animals are forced to move closer to the remaining water bodies in the park. Kasungu National Park also contains several prehistoric sites, including iron-smelling kiln, rock paintings and the remains of a fortified village. Climb the hill known as Black Rock for breathtaking views of the entire park with endless vistas. Although the animal density is not as high as in Nyika, but elephants, various antelopes and small herds of buffalo and zebra can be seen. Predators such as leopards, hyenas, servals and jackals are also present, but are not seen often. There is also a significant number of hippos in the Lifupa Dam. Just like in other parts of Malawi, bird watching is also prevalent at Kasungu National Park, with the ideal time to go being from June to September. Kasungu National Park has a lodge and game drives and guided walks are also available, but you may easily drive about without a guide if you have a decent map
Activities
Self-Drive Birding Trekking Game Walk
Lengwe National Park
80km from Lilongwe
Lengwe National Park which lies 80km south of Blantyre on the border with Mozambique, was first set aside as a game reserve in 1928 to protect the large mammals of the Lower Shire Valley, particularly the nyala antelope and their habitat. It was subsequently designated a national park in 1970 and expanded to its current size of 887km² in 1975. The park is managed by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW). Lengwe National Park may seem a bit underwhelming after spending a day or two at Majete Wildlife Reserve. This is because the wildlife found in the park has not been boosted by reintroduction schemes so they are all in their natural habitat. Lengwe National Park was originally Malawi's most northerly nyala habitat. Annual game counts conducted by the Wildlife and Environment Society of Malawi have indicated a steady increase in the population of the main antelope species in the
park, especially the rare nyala. The park is also home to between 2,000 and 3,000 stunning antelope and kudu. On game drives, it is easy to spot Livingstone suni, bushbuck, impala, aardvark, yellow baboon, blue monkey, warthog, bush pig, velvet monkey and buffalo. Lengwe is fairly dry outside the rainy season and the only stable source of water is rain. This means that animals take advantage of the few puddles that are constantly supplied with water, which makes the dry season ideal for game watching since many animals visit the water holes. The Park is also home to a range of bird species, with over 350 species recorded, including the colourful endemic Bohm's Bee-eater, Crested Guineafowl, Vanga Flycatcher and Yellow-billed Hornbill. Lengwe National Park is an ideal day trip from Blantyre. You can grab a meal at the park's restaurant which is a great place to eat while enjoying the wildlife and scenery
Activities
Self-Drive Birding Trekking Game Walk
Liwonde National Park
220km from Lilongwe
Liwonde National Park is located approximately 190km north of Blantyre and it covers an area
of 548km². The combination of the Shire River which is the only outlet of Lake Malawi, and the rich mopane and grassland habitats provide a suitable environment for wildlife and birds, probably making Liwonde the most popular national park in Malawi. Liwonde National Park has been managed by African Parks since 2015 which continues to transform Liwonde into a first-class safari destination. Between July 2016 and August 2017, Liwonde contributed to the largest elephant translocation in history. Out of a population of approximately 800 elephants, 336 elephants were relocated to the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, contributing to the recovery
of wildlife in the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. In 2017, seven cheetahs were reintroduced to Liwonde National Park for the first time in nearly 100 years. Since then, the birth of eight cheetah cubs has been confirmed, more than doubling the number of cheetahs already in the
park. In 2018, 10 lions were also reintroduced from South Africa and Majete Wildlife Reserve.
In 2019, one of the largest ever international black rhino relocations took place, with 17 black
Rhinos relocated from South Africa to Liwonde. Furthermore, in 2021, 14 African Wild Dogs were successfully relocated from South Africa and Mozambique to Liwonde National Park and
Majete Wildlife Reserve. This reintroduction is an international effort to protect the endangered
African Wild Dog. In addition, Liwonde National Park is home to an estimated 12,000 large
mammals, including hippos, crocodiles, African buffalo, waterbuck, impala, common eland,
sable antelope, bushbuck, kudu, hyena and warthog. It is also one of Malawi's leading birding
spots and is home to around 400 bird species, including Pel's Fishing Owl, African Skimmer,
Brown-breasted Barbet, Lilian’s Lovebird and Bohm's Bee-eater. In addition to walking and
driving safaris, Liwonde offers one of the best boat safari experiences in Africa. It is also
possible to hire a community guide at the main gate to show you around the park.
Activities
Scuba Diving Snorkelling Kayaking Birding Sailing Boat Trip
