"Dominated by the magisterial presence of the wide sluggish palm-lined Shire as it flows south from Lake Malawi, Liwonde National Park is one of the best places in Africa for a boat safari. It also possesses a tremendous sense of place: hippos grunt perpetually in the river, large herds of elephant wander down to drink, birds are everywhere, and the night sky resonates with the chirruping of frogs and insects. ”
- Philip Briggs
Liwonde National Park
The defining activity at Liwonde is boat trips on an atmospheric stretch of the Shire River that supports around 2,000 hippos, and a fringing vegetation of thick reedbeds, tall palms and giant fruit-bearing fig trees. Aside from dodging hippos and watching elephants come down to drink, the aquatic birding is superb: specials include African fish eagle, saddle-billed stork, palm-nut vulture, rufous-bellied heron and white-backed night heron, while Pel’s fishing owl is often seen hawking over the water at dusk.
Game drives in Liwonde National Park offer an opportunity to see all the Big Five. However, only elephant – with a resident population estimated at 800 – can be regarded as common. Leopards occur naturally, but are secretive, while the small populations of buffalo, black rhino and lion are all reintroduced, the latter as recently as 2018. Other wildlife often seen on game drives includes impala, waterbuck, sable antelope, bushbuck, warthog, vervet monkey and yellow baboon. Guided walks can be very rewarding for antelope, insects and localised woodland birds such as brown-breasted barbet, Boehm’s bee-eater, Lilian’s lovebird, Livingstone’s flycatcher, collared palm thrush and green twinspot.
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Explore Liwonde National Park Properties
Kuthengo Camp
Kuthengo Camp
Kuthengo Camp is a small, modern camp nestled among baobabs and fever trees along the Shire River. The camp’s rustic charm sits gently in its surroundings of Liwonde National Park. This Robin Pope Safaris operated camp is ideal ..
Mvuu Camp
Mvuu Camp
Mvuu Camp is a relaxed, family-friendly camp located right on the Shire River. Enjoy magnificent river views in this comfortable, simply styled camp while warthog and hippo graze in the grounds and Nile crocodile line the ..
Mvuu Wilderness Lodge
Mvuu Wilderness Lodge
Meaning ‘hippo’ in the local Chichewa language, Mvuu Lodge is a highly respected and upmarket camp where guests can expect to see a large number of hippos roaming the lush surrounds of the lodge and lagoon. With local and ..
What People Say
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The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
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