The Shire River
30 km inside the park.
Ludger Heide — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Timon Zingg — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Timon Zingg — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ludger Heide — CC BY-SA 2.0
Liwonde National Park in southern Malawi is crossed by 30 km of the Shire River, between woodland and dry savanna. It was set up in 1973 and has been run by African Parks since August 2015, and it is known for elephant viewing, especially from boats on the river. It covers 548 square km, and neighbouring Mangochi Forest Reserve came under the same management in 2018. African Parks built a 129 km electric fence around it to reduce conflict between people and animals. About 500 elephants were moved from here and Majete to Nkhotakota in 2016 and 2017. It holds about 17,800 large mammals and over 380 bird species. Along the banks you see hippos and elephants, with baobabs and palms above yellow sandy ground. Buffalo, endangered sable antelope, black rhino and warthog also live here. Woodland and dry plains stretch away from the water, with desert rose sometimes in flower. Part of the park touches the shore of Lake Malombe to the north. The park is 41.6 km in a straight line south of Mangochi and 110.9 km north of Blantyre. Leave your vehicle only where allowed and stay back from the water, as hippos and crocodiles are dangerous. Ask your doctor about malaria and bring a hat and water. Book river trips ahead if you can, and carry a copy of your passport.
30 km inside the park.
Seen from boats and banks.
Trees above sandy ground.
Machinga District, southern Malawi, on the Shire River
The park is known for viewing from the river, so ask your lodge.
Yes, it lies south of Lake Malawi, by Lake Malombe.