Wildlife in Malawi
Including Liwonde National Park, Majete Wildlife Reserve, and Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. On the map.
The vibe
Spotting wildlife on foot across open grasslands gives you horizon‑long sightlines where animals move in broad, unhurried patterns, unlike the dense jungle safaris elsewhere. During the dry season, animals congregate around waterholes, making sightings more reliable from May to October. Park tickets are required, and while guides are common, you can also enjoy quieter self‑guided walks among moderate visitor numbers.
a park ticket is required
Liwonde National Park
Machinga
Ludger Heide / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Liwonde is Malawi's premier wildlife destination, featuring a stunning riverine landscape that supports large populations of elephants, hippos, and crocodiles. The park is a major success story for conservation, now hosting reintroduced lions and cheetahs in a lush, biodiverse ecosystem.
Access. Accessible by road from Blantyre or Lilongwe; boat safaris on the Shire River are the signature way to view wildlife.
Notes. Best visited during the dry season (May to October) when animals congregate near the river. Malaria precautions are essential.
Majete Wildlife Reserve
Chikwawa
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
This reserve is a remarkable conservation success, having transformed from a depleted area into a Big Five sanctuary. Visitors can spot black rhinos, elephants, and leopards within a rugged landscape of hills and river valleys.
Access. Located in the Lower Shire Valley, it is accessible by 4x4 vehicles from Blantyre. Guided game drives and walking safaris are the primary activities.
Notes. The reserve is fully fenced and managed by African Parks, ensuring high security and wildlife density.
Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve
Nkhotakota
As Malawi's oldest and largest reserve, Nkhotakota is a vast wilderness of miombo woodland and river systems. It is known for its rugged beauty and recent reintroductions of elephants and other large mammals, making it a destination for those seeking a remote, off-the-beaten-path safari.
Access. Accessed via road from the lakeshore or Lilongwe. The reserve is best explored through guided bush walks and canoeing safaris on the Bua River.
Notes. The terrain is dense and wild; visitors should be prepared for a more immersive, less manicured safari experience.
Nyika National Park
Rumphi
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Nyika offers a completely different experience from the lowland parks, characterized by high-altitude rolling grasslands and montane forests. It is famous for its large herds of roan antelope, eland, and zebra, as well as being a premier destination for birding and leopard sightings.
Access. Accessible by light aircraft or a long 4x4 drive from Mzuzu. The park is best explored via guided game drives or horse-riding safaris.
Notes. The climate is significantly cooler than the rest of Malawi due to the high elevation. Birding is exceptional here, with several endemic species.