Liwonde National Park

We are two women from Sweden who spent two days in Liwonde National Park in November. We did both guided tours and self drive, and loved it. The guides were very competent and could tell us a lot about both the animals and the nature. Self-drive worked good as well, we had a 4x4 but it wasn’t necessary on all roads. We were almost alone in the park, which gave us an exclusive experience. Open landscapes made the animals easy to spot. We saw lions, rhinos, African buffalo, elephants, monkeys, different antelopes etc. We went for a boat safari and had close encounters with both hippos and crocodiles as well as different birds. We highly recommend a visit!

Such an amazing experience! We had the absolute best guide you could ask for: Mr. Chisomo (highly highly recommend!). You could immediately tell how much he loves his job. He was so enthusiastic and explained everything so well, which made the entire experience even more memorable. We saw so many animals during both our morning and evening drives: lions, cheetahs, elephants, monkeys (of course), elands, kudus, buffaloes, antelopes, pumbas (haha), hippos, crocodiles, sables, waterbucks, impalas, and countless bird species honestly, too many to name! One thing I did notice was the slight disappointment some people had when they didn’t spot certain “big name” animals like leopards or lions or cheetahs. But honestly, that’s just part of the safari experience. Wildlife doesn’t stay in one place waiting for you: they’re out hunting, grazing, resting, or drinking water. Plus, the park is massive! It really is a game of luck and timing. You just have to keep your eyes open and enjoy the thrill of the search, that’s part of the fun if you think about it. All in all, I’d absolutely recommend Liwonde National Park to anyone wanting to explore and truly experience the wild beauty Malawi has to offer.

Liwonde National Park is one of Malawi’s true gems — a lush, wildlife-rich sanctuary along the Shire River. Elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and diverse birdlife thrive in its peaceful wetlands and woodlands. Boat safaris offer incredible close-up encounters, while lodges blend comfort with nature. The park is well-managed, with strong conservation efforts and friendly rangers. A serene, unforgettable experience for those seeking authentic African wilderness without the crowds.

Nice park with a variety of animals and superb driving experience across a well built road and under authentic african canopy.

The whole tour was amazing, the guide was so kind and he made sure we saw as many animals as we could

Park seems to be in great shape. Had a beautiful evening drive with my first Malawian lion showing up.

At parallel market rates this is likely one of the cheapest NP in Africa, but you dont see much as it is heavily forested, so unless animals are by the road at the very time you pass by you may spend a whole day drying and only spot a few impalas...

Had an amazing experience seeing 2 of the big five animals close up. And an experience at Chinguni House deep inside the Park.