Hippos
On the Lifupa River.
Salix Oculus — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Salix Oculus — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dr. Thomas Wagner — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Dr. Thomas Wagner — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Dr. Thomas Wagner — CC BY-SA 3.0
Kasungu National Park is Malawi's second-largest park at 2,316 square kilometres, stretching west of the town of Kasungu along the border with Zambia. It lies about 165 km north of Lilongwe and about 94 km in a straight line from the Nkhotakota reserve. The park was established in 1970 and sits at an average of about 1,000 metres. It is known for its elephants, and in July 2022 the International Fund for Animal Welfare moved in 263 more. Since 2005 it has been listed as a Lion Conservation Unit. Miombo woodland covers the park, cut by grassy river channels known locally as dambos. Rivers including the Dwangwa, the Lingadzi and its tributary the Lifupa run through it, and the Lifupa is a key spot for watching hippos near Lifupa Lodge. Sable and roan antelope, kudu, impala, zebra and African buffalo live here, and migrant birds arrive in the summer months. The park usually closes in March, during the rains. It is warm from September to May and cooler from June to August, and birdwatching is best from June to September. Travel with a guide and keep away from elephants and buffalo.
On the Lifupa River.
Trees and grassy dambos.
Herds in the grass.
West of Kasungu, Central Region, Malawi
Usually in March, during the rains.
June to September.