Malawi’s most visited National Park, in no small part thanks to the recent reintroduction of lion and cheetah.

Liwonde is an easy drive from the southern lakeshore hotels and lodges of Lake Malawi and the city of Blantyre, Malawi’s commercial capital. Relatively small, the park packs a big punch with excellent wildlife viewing that can be enjoyed as part of a 4x4, walking or boat safari on the River Shire.

The broad section of the Shire that flows along the western boundary of the park is brimming with hippos and crocodiles. It also boasts spectacular birdlife and is a magnet for wildlife, especially during the drier months, including a variety of antelope species and elephants, making boat cruises a real pleasure. Other wildlife species that you may be lucky enough to spot here include buffalo, sable, hyena, and black rhino

Liwonde is one of four parks in Malawi now under the management of African Parks, a renowned conservation organisation, that took on the responsibility in 2015. African Parks has implemented significant conservation and community development projects since. Amongst these are the reintroduction of seven cheetah in 2017, which have since doubled in number with the birth of eight cubs; and a founder population of 10 lion reintroduced in 2018.

The choice of accommodation in Liwonde caters for a range of budgets; from camping to luxury lodges and can be accessed by road, boat, or light aircraft.