Kasungu National Park
A large miombo park on the Zambian border, restocked with elephant and rebuilding after heavy poaching.
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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.
What you actually see
- 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.
Honest expectations
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.
What to pack for Kasungu National Park
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
