Liwonde National Park lies on the banks of the Upper Shire River, south of Lake Malawi, bordering Lake Malombe to the north and encompassing a large area east of the river. It is situated 120km north of Blantyre, and about 60km north of zomba
and is 236 kms away from Lilongwe. The vegetation is diverse ranging from the swamps, lagoons and reed-beds along the river edge, grassland in the better drained areas where palm, sausage and baobab trees grow, whilst elsewhere there is Mopane woodland, and some dense woodland.Liwonde boasts having one of Malawi's largest elephant population, which can often be seen
bathing on the rivers edge along with the Hippos. Large concentrations of sable antelope, as well as kudu, duiker and oribi can be found in the Mopane bush. The plains are home to waterbuck, reedbuck, other antelope as well as lion. Birds are abundant, including the more common species such as fish eagle, jacana, white bellied cormorant and the rarer Lilian's lovebird.
The best time to visit this park is in the dry season, during the rains the park is often closed and if it is open you will need a 4x4 and even then many roads could be impassable.
The park can be reached by boat from Liwonde barrage throughout the year.
Accommodation
Mvuu Lodge & Camp
The main camp in this riverine park, and is ideally situation on the bank of the Shire River in the northern park of the park. Various forms of semi-luxury accommodation are on offer, ranging from chalets, walk-in tents, small dome tents, or you can camp in your own tent. There are facilities for self catering and a camp restaurant where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served.Near the park entrance is Chiunguni Cottage run by the National Park and there are several other places around Liwonde offering basic accommodation.
