Liwonde National Park

Pros & Cons

• Unforgettable boat safaris on the Shire River
• Home to all the Big Five as well as cheetah and African wild dog
• Superb birding with several local specials
• Beautiful scenery and river views
• Night drives and walking safaris are available
• Tsetse flies can be a nuisance in areas of thick woodland
• Black rhino and leopard, though present, are difficult to see

Wildlife

Under African Parks, Liwonde has been fenced in its entirety and poaching has been brought under control. In addition, several key species have been reintroduced, notably lion, cheetah, black rhino and African wild dog. As a result, four of the Big Five are now definitely present in Liwonde. The ambiguous exception is leopards, which occur in neighboring Mangochi FR and seem likely to recolonize the park in due course. Elephants are common around the Shire River, which also teems with hippo and crocodile.

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Scenery

Liwonde is a very scenic park, with the Shire River its focal point. Big, lush swampy areas with borassus palms, fever trees and giant baobabs fringe the river to give it that real heart-of-Africa wilderness appeal. Impala lilies bring bursts of color to the dry interior most of the year, and an array of wildflowers is plentiful during the rainy season.

Activities

A must-do activity in Liwonde is a boat trip on the Shire River. This is one of Africa’s most atmospheric waterways, thanks to the lush tropical fringing vegetation and abundance of hippos and waterbirds. Particularly in the afternoon, you can expect to see large numbers of elephant along the river, while bushpigs are occasionally encountered on morning outings. Lion, and to a lesser extent cheetah and black rhino, might be seen on early morning and night game drives, while guided walks are great for birds and other smaller creatures.

Weather & Climate

Although the climate is quite hot throughout the year, Liwonde experiences defined Dry and Wet seasons. The Dry season months, from May to October, are cooler overall, though temperatures spike in October just before the rains start. December to February are the wettest months; expect daily downpours. At this time roads deteriorate. By the end of the rains, a boat shuttle might be the only way to reach the camp.

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Best Time To Visit

The middle and end of the Dry season (July to October) offer the best wildlife-viewing opportunities. During these months, animals are easier to spot as they are drawn to the river and other water sources. This is especially the case toward the end of the Dry season (though October can be unbearably hot). The lush emerald season (the Wet season) has its own appeal, especially for keen bird-watchers, although roads can be hard to navigate at this time.

• More about the best time to visit

Want To Visit Liwonde NP?

18 Liwonde Safaris

• Liwonde Safaris & Tours
• Tour Operators for Liwonde