Kasungu National Park

Kasungu is the second largest national park in Malawi, around two thousand square kilometres of miombo woodland and dambo grassland on the Zambian border, and it held very large elephant numbers before poaching cut them severely in the late twentieth century. Management partnerships and a translocation of elephants in 2022 have begun rebuilding the populations. The Lifupa dam at the centre draws game to water in the dry season.

Background

Kasungu National Park was established in 1970 and covers 2,316 square kilometres, at an average elevation of approximately 1,000 metres. It lies west of the town of Kasungu in the Central Region, and 167 villages surround it. The International Fund for Animal Welfare brought in a further 263 elephants in July 2022. Since 2005 the park has been considered a Lion Conservation Unit. In most years it closes in March, during the wet season. It is warm from September to May, and June to August is the cooler period. Many birds migrate to the park in the summer months, and birdwatching is common from June to September.

Source: Wikipedia, "Kasungu National Park"

The landscape

• The Lifupa dam - the water at the park's centre where game concentrates.
• The miombo and dambo - the woodland and seasonal grassland mosaic.
• The elephant recovery - the translocated animals rebuilding the population.
• The scale - the second largest national park in the country.

When to go

June to October is the dry season and best for game at the dam. The rains make tracks difficult. Late dry season concentrates animals most.

What to expect

Poaching cut the game very badly and numbers are still far below historic levels. Facilities are limited to one lodge and a campsite. Roads inside the park are rough.

Nearby

Kasungu town is east, and Nkhotakota is southeast.

Key facts