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Country Guide > Africa > Malawi | |
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National Parks & Wildlife Reserves Malawi has nine national parks and wildlife reserves but six are especially recommended for visitors. There are also many attractive and accessible forest reserves. All the parks and reserves are uncrowded and give visitors an excellent experience of unspoilt wilderness. Situated in the far north of the country, the park’s unique rolling grassland covers most of the Nyika Plateau, which lies at an altitude of 2500m (8200ft). The whaleback hills are broken by deep valleys and occasional patches of evergreen, natural forest and bubbling streams. Nyika is known to sustain many rare birds and butterflies, game and a multitude of flowers, including an incredible range of orchids. At Chelinda there is a variety of accommodation, including new luxury log cabins. The lodges and camps are set high up on the edge of a pine forest, overlooking trout-filled lakes. The enormous plateau has zebra, antelope, leopard and hyena as well as elephants on the lower slopes. A speciality of Chelinda is its horse safaris. There is an airstrip for visitors arriving by air. Located to the west of Mzuzu. A camp with luxury reed huts has been established, overlooking Lake Kazuni. There is a variety of game including elephant, buffalo and hippos, as well as a large number of bird species. There is a mix of woodland, open grassland and marsh. This is a totally unspoilt reserve. Situated in the northwest of the central region, 154km (96 miles) from Lilongwe, Kasungu National Park consists of some 2000 sq km (770 sq miles) of woodland. The park is best known for its elephants, which appear in the early morning and evening to drink from dambos (river channels). The grasslands support large herds of buffalo, as well as a variety of antelope such as kudu and reedbuck. Predators such as lion and leopard may be seen. Accommodation in the park is easily accessed at Lifupa, where there are luxury rondavels as well as a separate self-catering camp. Situated in the Shire Valley, south of Lake Malawi and north of Zomba, Liwonde is the most popular of the national parks. The River Shire flows along the eastern border of the park allowing for boat safaris. The river is frequented by vast numbers of hippo, and elephants and crocodiles can also be seen. There is a wide range of game in the park, including rhino and various antelope. Through introductions, Liwonde now has the ‘big five’ for visitors to see. The birdlife includes one of the greatest variety of species in Africa. There is accommodation in the park at Mvuu, including a luxury lodge and a separate permanent camp and camping site. Walking, boating and driving safaris (in 4-wheel-drive vehicles) are on offer. There is a landing strip for visitors coming by air. A second safari lodge has been opened on a hill site in the southern part of the park. Close to Monkey Bay, this reserve lies towards the southern extremity of the lake. Opened in 1980, it was the world’s first freshwater national park and its setting and attractions are world-renowned. Tropical fish, which can be viewed by snorkelling or scuba-diving, are a speciality of the park, while further inland klipspringer, bushbuck and vervet monkeys may be seen. Access to the park is easy throughout the year. In the past, only budget accommodation was available but there are now excellent camps on two deserted islands in the park, as well as a luxury guest house, which is also linked to an upmarket yachting operation. Many visitors make day-trips from the hotels on the lakeshore south of Monkey Bay. Lengwe National Park is in the Lower Shire Valley and is only 130 sq km (80 sq miles) large. The park has the distinction of being the farthest point north where the rare Nyala antelope can be found. Also here is the diminutive Livingstone’s Suni, one of the smallest of antelopes, as well as the rare Blue or Samango monkey. These and other game can be viewed from concealed hides. New accommodation is being developed here and it is possible to visit the park in a daytrip from Blantyre. Of the other wildlife reserves, the vast Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve is little developed and lacks drivable tracks. However, there is a good range of game including lion and elephant. Accommodation can be had nearby along the lakeshore. Majete and Mwabvi Wildlife Reserves are in the Lower Shire Valley. Majete has little viewable game and Mwabvi is difficult to access. |