KASUNGU NATIONAL PARK

In the west of the central region, bordering Zambia, is Kasungu National Park, an 800 sq mile (2100 sq km) area of natural woodland and bush with occasional stretches of more open grass. Poaching has reduced the number of some species of animals but, contrary to rumours in some quarters, there is still plenty of wildlife to be seen. Elephants and antelopes are common, as are small herds of buffalo and zebra. The cats include both lions and leopards.

Inhabiting the bush are hyenas, wild dogs, servals and jackals. There is a significant number of hippos in the lake at Lifupa and as elsewhere in Malawi, the birdwatcher is well catered for. This is a park which is relatively easy to drive around. There is a recently upgraded lodge at Lifupa as well as good camping nearby. Because of changes in management, the current accommodation situation should be checked before a visit. Access to the park has been greatly improved in recent years and it is relatively easy to reach

from Lilongwe (approx.100 miles/160km).

LAKE MALAWI NATIONAL PARK

This, the world’s first freshwater national park and a World Heritage Site, is at Cape Maclear. It was designated as a National Park in 1980 to protect the diversity of tropical fish living there, some not found anywhere else on earth. The Park includes land area around the Cape Maclear bay as well as the Lake and its islands up to 100 metres (330ft) off shore. The Nankhumba Peninsula, forms the centrepiece of a miniature archipelago of twelve islands, where scuba diving and snorkeling are popular activities.

Here is a veritable aquarium of tropical fish providing a colourful kaleidoscopic display. Which matches anything that the land has to offer. The natural habitats has resulted in an extraordinary concentration of different species of plants, animals and birds, quite asides from the hundreds of species of fish that can be found in the region, the most famous of which is the Mbuna Chichlids. Away from the Lake, the park has baboons, antelope and hyrax, and, of course, there is a great variety of birdlife including fish eagles, cormorants and hamerkops. There is a variety of lakeshore accommodation in this area.

LENGWE NATIONAL PARK

This park is 350 sq miles (900 sq km) in extent, south of Majete and 50 miles (80km) from Blantyre (a good one-day excursion). It has well signposted tracks near the main gate and a number of hides from which to see game at waterholes. In the dry season, game viewing is good and there is an especially interesting variety of antelope including bushbuck, impala, duiker and kudu as well as the beautiful striped-back Nyala. You will also find warthogs, monkeys and baboons. There are buffalo and lions but these are less likely to be seen on a short visit. In terms of accommodation there is the recently renovated and refurbished Nyala Lodge.

LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK

Dispite its size, 220 sq miles (580 sq km), Liwonde is perhaps the most popular of all the game parks. It is about 100 miles (160 km) north of Blantyre and only more than half that distance from the hotels on the southern Lakeshore. Additionally, game viewing is enhanced because the River Shire flows along its western border. Wildlife includes quite large numbers of elephants and the river attracts countless hippos and crocodiles. Antelope include kudu, sable, impala, bushbuck, duiker and oribi. There are lions, leopards and more recently, the black rhino has been re-introduced. If you are lucky you may even find jackal. Birdlife is exceptionally varied. The river attracts fish eagles, jacana, white-bellied cormorant and the rather rarer Lilian’s lovebird. Pel’s fishing owl is often seen at dusk along the river’s edge as well as palmnut vultures and ospreys. The best time to visit this park is in the dry season,

during the rains the park is often closed and if it is open you will need a 4x4 and even then many roads could be impassable. The park can be reached by boat from Liwonde barrage throughout the year.


Accommodation is first-class with Mvuu Lodge and nearby Mvuu Camp. To reach the riverside lodge, visitors can approach by road and then be ferried across the river, they can drive through the park or they can use a pre-arranged boat from Liwonde town. There is also an airstrip near the lodge, served by scheduled and charter flights. Near the park entrance is Chiunguni Cottage run by the National Park and there are several other places around Liwonde offering basic accommodation.

NYIKA NATIONAL PARK

In 1965 The Nyika National Park became the first certified Park in Malawi. Nyika is Malawi’s largest park with an area of no less than 1250 sq miles (3200 sq km). It extends across the great plateau which is essentially a granitic dome and its environment is like none other in Africa. The name, Nyika, means “where the water comes from” and it is, indeed, one of Malawi’s most important catchment areas. The rolling scenery is at its best in the rainy season when over 200 types of orchid are in flower. The grasslands of Nyika are also rich in wildflowers in other seasons.

Nyika is wonderful for trekking, mountain biking and horse riding safaris, as well as more conventional 4 x 4 excursions. The montane vegetation attracts large numbers of antelope from the diminutive duiker to eland and roan. Zebra are common. The park has one of the highest densities of leopard in Central Africa and there are a number of species of smaller mammals such as warthog and bushpig.Elephants and buffalo

usually keep to the lower ground on the northern edge of the park but elephants have been seen on the high plateau. The nocturnal family of wild animals include hyena, jackal, civet cat, honey badger, porcupine and aardvark. Due to the absence of lion in the park, it is possible to go on a foot safari of up to 5 days but you must be escorted by a game scout.

For the birdwatcher, the park has a lot to offer: over 400 species have been recorded. The rare denham’s bustard and the wattled crane are among those to be seen, as is the red-winged francolin - endemic to Nyika. Four birds found on the Nyika plateau that have not been recorded anywhere else in Malawi; the yellow mountain warbler, churring cisticola, cracking cloud cisticola and the mountain marsh widow. It also contains three butterfly species and one species each of chameleon, frog and toad which are found nowhere else.

November to May is the best time for game viewing, October to December for bird watching, whilst January and February are the best months to visit to experience the spectacular flowering of indigenous orchids. There is such a lot to see in the vast park: waterfalls, a neolithic rock shelter, trout pools and even a ‘magic lake’ are just some of the attractions. The refurbished Chelinda Camp and the new Log Cabin Lodge provide excellent accommodation and facilities. There is an airstrip for fly-in safaris. The rivers and dams are stocked with rainbow trout, trout fishing being a very popular pastime here. Fishing permits must be arranged at head office at Chilinda and can be obtained all year round for the Nyika Plateau area. The gamepark entrance is situated 129km from Mzuzu and 68km from Rumphi. Drive west from Rumphi for approx. 60km and take a right turn towards the gate. There is a daily entrance fee payable at the gate.