LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK, MALAWI

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Liwonde National Park is the most popular and visited park in Malawi. It is located in the southern part of Malawi and sits along the Shire River. The Park is home to various animals and over 300 bird species. The Big Five is present inside the Park—elephants, black rhinos, lions, African buffalos, and leopards. Other animals include cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles, zebras, hippos, and antelopes.

The Park’s lush plant life makes it a haven for nature lovers. Shire River flows through the Park and provides a vital water source for the plants and animals.

Growing up in Malawi, my father took us to different national parks and game reserves, including Liwonde National Park. This time around, I took my own kids to appreciate the natural beauty and resourcefulness of Liwonde. 

Since its inception in 1973, Liwonde National Park has remained as the cornerstone of Malawi’s tourism industry. It is about 55,000 hectares. Quite small when compared to other African parks, but it offers an immersive and enriching experience. When you go on the Liwonde National Park safari, expect thrilling wildlife encounters. It could be from the ground, via boat safaris on the Shire River, or from the air by helicopter tours.

LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK SAFARI

Visitors to Liwonde National Park experience incredible biodiversity. There are various tours such as guided safaris, boat tours, and self-driven tours. These activities provide opportunities to see the Park’s animals up close. As mentioned above, Liwonde National Park has the Big Five: elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, and African buffalo. You will also find cheetahs, antelopes, wild dogs, hippos, crocodiles, klipspringers, hyenas, and zebras.

There is controlled abundance here as a result of reintroductions and translocations of different animals at the Park since 2015. I was fortunate enough to capture wonderful photos of different animals at the Park. Morning drives allow safari visitors to see animals in their abundance. The animals are still enough for perfect photos—this is the time they are eating or drinking water.

Also, Liwonde National Park has hundreds of bird species, such as vultures and ground hornbills. Choose a slow safari, that is not rushed, to enjoy Liwonde National Park animals and birds. 

ANIMALS AT LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK 

Elephants

Elephants are among the most notable residents—often seen in large herds. My older son was ecstatic seeing one giant elephant. The one picture he has, of himself with a massive elephant in the background, is one of his greatest treasures.

Elephants’ presence is crucial for the Park’s ecology. They help to maintain the landscape by uprooting trees and spreading seeds. Liwonde National Park has a history of hosting large numbers of elephants. Because of this, in 2022, the Park translocated 263 elephants to Kasungu National Park, also in Malawi. This move was carried out by Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife. They partnered with the International Fund for Animal Welfare and African Parks.

Cheetahs

Prepare yourself to meet fierce cheetahs in the Park. Back in 2017, the Park reintroduced cheetahs, which hadn’t been in the Park for 100 years.

Lions

Predators like lions roam the Park. In 2018, lions were added to Liwonde National Park. I regret not taking my camera out fast enough to capture a still shot of the lions we saw. We arrived at the scene when they had finished eating and were disappearing into thick bushes.

Black Rhinos

17 black rhinos were moved to Liwonde from South Africa. Internationally, this is considered as one of the largest black rhino relocations ever.

Antelopes

Antelopes, such as the impala, kudu, and waterbuck, graze the grasslands. These graceful creatures are conspicuous to visitors on safari tours. 

Zebras

Zebras are found at Liwonde National Park as well. They usually graze near other animals such as impalas. 

Wild Dogs

In 2021, wild dogs were brought into the Park. They are easily seen in the tour paths. 

Hippos & Crocodiles

Hippos and crocodiles thrive in the Shire River. The riverbanks attract a variety of animals seeking water and food. Crocodiles find food here and bask in the sun. Hippos are usually eating the grass near the river. You will need an experienced tour guide to take you through paths that are dry enough so you can get closer to the animals. 

BIRDS AT LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK

There are many bird species at Liwonde National Park, that’s why the Park attracts birdwatchers. These include fish eagle, stork, and parrots. These birds add to the Park’s vibrant atmosphere.

Parrots are ubiquitous habitants of Liwonde National Park. They are particularly seen around baobab trees because they live there. Most parrots usually have grey and brown heads. 

VEGETATION AT LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK

Also important to Liwonde National Park is the vegetation. Among the trees, you’ll find species like the baobab (adansonia digitata). Baobab has a broad trunk and impressive height. These trees provide essential shade and food for the Park’s wildlife. There is so much history to some of these baobab trees at Liwonde National Park. 

Leper Tree at Liwonde National Park

As you tour the Park, you will come across one baobab tree that is heavily peeled and has cracked bark. It looks all beat up and there is a dark history attached to the tree—it was used as the final resting place for people suffering from leprosy. At that time, which was a very long time ago, there was an outbreak of leprosy. The sick were taken to the baobab tree, tied up and forced into the hollow trunk, left there to die. This was due to some beliefs that this was the only way to stop the disease from spreading. These misfortunate acts come against the widely christian beliefs of Malawi. Up to this day, many people are saddened that these acts happened. The leper tree is located inside Liwonde National Park; your tour guide should be able to easily locate the place.

Liwonde National Park is rich in its flora. The palm trees planted on the river bank play a crucial role in providing habitat and shade to most animals. Mopani trees are also common. Other plants include kigelia, acacias, microcoelia ornithocephala, and epiphytic orchid.

SHIRE RIVER AND LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK

Shire River travels along the outer edges of Liwonde National Park. The river pours into the southern part of Lake Malombe and exits Lake Malombe from the north.  From there, it  continues into Lake Malawi. There are a couple of hotels/lodges around this area and are in close proximity to Shire River. 

Shire River is a flood gate for hippos and crocodiles. If you are in Liwonde or the southern part of Lake Malawi (Mangochi), head over to areas near the Shire River. Here you will see hippos and crocodiles in abundance. Your hotel should also be able to guide you on which tour is best. You can take a ground or boat tour inside Liwonde National Park to see these animals. You will also see other animals, such as elephants, drinking and sun basking on the river banks of Shire River. 

ACTIVITIES AT LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK

Activities and attractions at Liwonde National Park include:

• Walking Safaris
• Boat Safaris
• River Cruises
• Jeep Tours
• Self-Drive (with or without a guide)
• Helicopter Rides
• Birdwatching
• Photography Tours
• Cultural Tours around Liwonde villages

Game drives: Liwonde National Park is equipped with well-maintained roads and trails. This makes game drives and guided walks accessible. Guided safaris offer an intimate experience, allowing visitors to observe animals up close. You can also use your own 4X4 car on these game drives—just like we did. We requested one guide from the Park’s office to take us on our drive. He sat in the back seat together with our two kids and we all had a blast. 

Boat safaris on the Shire River are a unique way to experience the Park’s wildlife from a different vantage point. These excursions provide opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, and various bird species. The river is also popular for fishing. Experienced guides lead these boat trips.

Cultural experiences play a vital role in tourism at Liwonde National Park. Interactions with local communities offer visitors a chance to learn about local traditions. Also, by doing this, visitors are supporting community initiatives. Visiting craft markets and eating in local restaurants also present good opportunities to mingle with local people. Cultural tours help you to understand the Malawi culture better. 

CONSERVATION AT LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK

Poaching has been a serious problem at Liwonde National Park, causing the local extinction of several large animals. Also, communities living around the Park face challenges because of limited farming opportunities. This has led to ongoing conflict between wildlife and local villagers. 

Rangers patrol Liwonde National Park to combat poaching and illegal activity. Conservation programs focus on habitat restoration and species reintroduction. Other projects at the Park aim to support schools around the area and reduce conflicts between people and elephants. 

Efforts to restore the Park’s wildlife have been ongoing. Since African Parks began reintroduction and retranslocation efforts in 2015, lions and cheetahs have been reintroduced. Also, thousands of wire snares were removed to protect wildlife. African Parks work alongside local and international conservation groups. In 2018, African Parks expanded their conservation efforts. They included the Mangochi Forest Reserve, a nearby area, in their protection plans.

Liwonde National Park is truly a haven for endangered species, offering them a safe environment where they can thrive. Notable endangered animals like the black rhino find refuge here. 

The Park has brought significant economic benefits to the surrounding areas. Locally owned lodges and craft markets provide direct income to local families.  

ENTRANCE TO LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK

Guided Safari Tour with Hotel or Tour Company

If you are taking a guided safari tour with your hotel or other tour companies, the fees they charge will normally include the Park’s entrance fee. Some have open Jeeps while others have closed vans or 4X4’s. However, open style safari jeeps are more common when you take a guided tour. 

Self-Guided Safari Tour

To enter Liwonde National Park, you go to the main gate. This is where you pay the Park’s entrance fee. If you are taking a self tour, you can pay a safari guide, provided by the Park’s office, to go with you on your safari tour. These guides are registered with the Park and known to them. You will need to have space in your car to accommodate your guide. Guides at the Park’s gate charge very reasonably (way cheaper than a full tour that comes with guides and a jeep). They also know all the best spots, they will save you time. Equally important, the Park’s guides are trained to know the behavior of different animals. They know what to do in an emergency or when you encounter a charging animal.

A 4X4 car is best for self-tours to ensure you don’t get stuck in the mud or other crevices you might find on the roads. Overall, the roads and trails are smooth and in good condition.

When we visited Liwonde National Park, we decided to use our rental 4X4 to tour the Park. We loved the flexibility of this arrangement because we wanted to visit Malape Pillars after our game drive at Liwonde National Park. At the Park’s entrance, we paid the entrance fee and asked for one guide to go with us on the safari. You pay the guide at the end of the tour.

We arranged with our guide to take us to Malape Pillars after the game drive. This is a separate monetary transaction. Malape Pillars are located 30 minutes drive from Liwonde National Park. We paid him more than what was initially charged for the game drive. Do agree before you start your safari tour for any other add ons, to ensure you are on the same page.

Our actual itinerary in Liwonde with our guide was: (1) Liwonde National Park, (2) Liwonde Market for drinks and snacks, (3) Malape Pillars, and (4) back to Liwonde. When coming back from Malape Pillars, our guide opted to be dropped off by the main road. It was evening time and he was done for the day. You can be flexible as long as you don’t go to places where you might not know how to get back after you have dropped off your guide. Use your judgement—after your guide is gone, you are fully responsible for yourself. 

HOW TO GET TO LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK FROM LILONGWE OR BLANTYRE

Car or Rental: For a comfortable and customized journey, you can rent a car in Lilongwe or Blantyre and drive to Liwonde. This is the quickest road option. The drive from Lilongwe to Liwonde National Park via the M1 road takes roughly 5.20 hours, while the journey from Blantyre to Liwonde National Park via the M3 road takes about 3.45 hours.

Bus: Traveling by bus is the most budget-friendly way to get from Lilongwe to Liwonde. Several bus companies serve this route. In Lilongwe, head to the Lilongwe Bus Depot to find buses traveling to Liwonde. The bus journey takes longer because of longer stops at bus depots. From Blantyre, buses to Liwonde depart from Limbe.

Minibus: These small vans operate on various routes, including the Lilongwe–Liwonde and Blantyre–Liwonde routes. In Lilongwe, minibuses leave from the Lilongwe Bus Depot, while in Blantyre, they depart from Limbe. To ensure you get on the right minibus, ask locals or check with drivers for the specific route to Liwonde.

DAY TRIPS FROM LIWONDE 

MALAPE PILLARS

One of the best things you can do when you go to Liwonde National Park is visiting the beautiful rock affirmations—Malape Pillars. I visited Malape Pillars with my husband and two boys. We were awed with the natural beauty tucked away near prime touristic areas of Liwonde and Mangochi (where Lake Malawi stems from). Read about my trip to Malape Pillars and I got there.

LAKE MALAWI IN MANGOCHI

Lake Malawi in Mangochi is where the southern part of the Lake lies. The Mangochi lakeshore has good resorts and lodges. It is perfect for relaxation. Different hotels/lodges offer water activities—kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and et cetera. The Lake is easily accessible from the main road that connects the main cities in Malawi (Lilongwe and Blantyre). See my post on my visit to Lake Malawi in Mangochi.

CAPE MACLEAR, LAKE MALAWI 

Cape Maclear is the ideal location for the adventurous at heart. as well as those who want to be swept away by the magical sunsets and the colorful fish. This is the nestled gem for the cichlids—they swim cleverly in the clear waters of Lake Malawi. Lake Malawi National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in Cape Maclear. Snorkeling and diving are loved activities here. Sandy beaches are perfect for relaxation. Read about my experience at Cape Maclear.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM A VISIT TO LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK 

Liwonde National Park has many different types of animals. These include elephants, lions, cheetahs, black rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous antelope species. There are hundreds of bird species as well as lush vegetation. Notable trees inside the Park are baobab trees. Some are still standing, but others are succumbing to years of grappling with elephants.

Liwonde National Park safari tours include both guided tours and self-guided tours. The banks of Shire River are where most animals congregate to drink water. Visitors can also take market tours and cultural tours in local communities. Visitors can also see nearby attractions such as Malape Pillars and Lake Malawi in the Mangochi area. We visited both places after our Liwonde safari tour. 

Liwonde National Park has a range of accommodation options. They range from upscale and mid-range hotels in and around the Park, to smaller lodges around Liwonde town center.