Liwonde National Park

Contact a specialist about your Liwonde National Park safari

Surrounded by calm turquoise waters you could be mistaken for thinking you are in an Indian Ocean beach resort and you have to constantly remind yourself that Lake Malawi is a freshwater lake. Likoma Island is undoubtedly one of the finest places to relax in Africa.

• Claire Picknell
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This beautiful wilderness area is considered to be Malawi's finest National Park. Straddling the banks of the Shire River, Liwonde encompasses a wide range of habitats from quiet backwater lagoons and marshes to open savannah and wooded hills. A boat trip on the wide Shire River is a fine to way to explore the park. You can watch floating islands of weed slip past on the smooth current, birds building their nests in the reeds, snorting hippos and snoozing crocs. As well as its river-dwelling creatures, Liwonde is known for its large elephant population. You'll also see plenty of antelope species (including sables, impalas, bushbucks and kudus) and warthog. If you're lucky you might even spot a lion or leopard. There's also a rhino breeding programme close to Mvuu Camp. Birdlife is prolific and includes Boehm's and Carmine Bee-eatrs, numerous weavers and bishops. Raptors include the African Fish Eagle, Palm-nut vultures, Western Banded and Brown Snake Eagles. The excellent guides take you on boat trips and guided walks, as well as night drives. The excellent guides at Mvuu Wilderness Lodge will point out smaller animals such as the dwarf chameleons, and are always telling stories and relaying local legends about the animals. The best time to visit Liwonde National Park is in the dry season (May to November), when roads are more accessible and the animals easier to spot.

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