Travel to Liwonde to see Africa’s heavyweight animals such as elephant, buffalo & hippo. Night drives reveal the park’s more elusive residents – hyena, serval cats and giant owls. It’s close to Lake Malawi, easily accessed and an excellent bird watching destination. A cruise on the Shire River is highly recommended.
Liwonde National Park is one of Malawi’s greatest wildlife success stories, blending riverine beauty with thrilling game experiences. Set along the palm-fringed Shire River, the park is a sanctuary for elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and an ever-growing population of black rhino and cheetah, thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. Open grasslands and ancient baobabs create a striking backdrop for game drives, guided walks, and tranquil boat safaris where herds gather to drink at sunset.
Bird enthusiasts will delight in over 400 recorded species, including the vibrant lilian’s lovebird and majestic fish eagle. Whether you’re gliding silently past pods of hippo, tracking predators on a morning drive, or relaxing in a stylish riverside lodge, Liwonde offers an authentic safari that rivals Africa’s best while remaining wonderfully intimate and uncrowded.
Travel to Malawi during its long dry winter – May to October. Not only will you enjoy the best weather for Lake Malawi but it’s prime time for game viewing across the region. You’ll catch Malawi’s parks at their best and neighbouring Zambia is in peak game viewing season. Activities like white water rafting and guided walking safaris are at their best, there’s plenty of water thundering over Victoria Falls, and the risk of malaria is at its lowest.
Conditions are warm and dry with cool nights from May to August; temperatures rise several degrees in September and October but game viewing is at is most exciting in Zambia, Victoria Falls and Botswana. Rains become heavy in December and the risk of malaria increases as the rainy season unfolds. You’ll see Malawi at its greenest and the bird watching is excellent but you are unlikely to get a consistently dry and sunny beach holiday.
Liwonde National Park offers a selection of intimate lodges and tented camps that blend comfort with wilderness charm. Stay in stylish riverside retreats or luxury bush hideaways set beneath ancient baobabs, where spacious tents feature private decks overlooking the Shire River or sweeping floodplains. Expect warm Malawian hospitality, gourmet dining, and eco-friendly design that immerses you in nature without sacrificing comfort. Whether you prefer the thrill of night sounds beneath canvas or the elegance of a modern safari lodge, accommodations here provide the perfect base for game drives, boat safaris, and birding adventures in this remarkable park.
Kuthengo Camp is nestled among Fever trees and Baobabs on an open plain stretching towards the Shire River in Liwonde National Park. uests stay in four spacious and modern safari tents which are all en-suite with a bathtub and an outdoor shower and a private deck from where the herds of waterbuck that frequent the camp area can be observed in the evenings.
At the quiet intersection of the Namagogodo Lagoon and the Shire River, you’ll find Mvuu Lodge. Our unique site is home to a whole host of wildlife as it makes its way in and out of the river on a daily basis.
The camp, comprising of 14 units, is a mix of spacious stone and canvas chalets and specially designed family tents. An impressive thatched dining and lounge area offers a magnificent river vista that is framed by two large baobab trees. Dinners are sometimes held under the stars in a specially constructed boma.
Liwonde National Park offers a range of itineraries that blend thrilling wildlife encounters with tranquil river experiences. From short two-night escapes to longer journeys combining nearby reserves or Lake Malawi, each itinerary highlights the park’s unique mix of activities—boat safaris along the Shire River, game drives in search of elephants, hippos, and the rare black rhino, and guided walks that reveal the park’s vibrant birdlife. Whether you’re seeking a quick safari getaway or a multi-stop Malawi adventure, Liwonde provides flexible options to suit families, couples, and keen photographers alike.
Our team of destination experts will design a holiday to meet your budget and interests. Let’s start planning your tailor-made African safari today!
After your Liwonde safari, expand your journey across Southern Africa for an unforgettable multi-country adventure. Fly west to Botswana for world-class safaris in the Okavango Delta or Chobe National Park, where vast herds of elephants and pristine waterways await. Continue to the legendary Victoria Falls, straddling Zambia and Zimbabwe, to witness one of the world’s greatest natural wonders and enjoy adrenaline-filled activities. For a mix of wilderness and cosmopolitan flair, head south to South Africa, where you can pair a Big Five safari in Kruger National Park with vibrant city experiences in Cape Town or Johannesburg. Each destination connects smoothly with Malawi, making it easy to craft a seamless, action-packed itinerary.
