Liwonde National Park

Liwonde National Park, strung along the palm-fringed Shire River in southern Malawi, is the country's premier wildlife destination and a remarkable conservation success story. Once troubled by poaching, it has been transformed through a major restoration partnership into a thriving reserve, with reintroduced cheetahs, lions and black rhinos joining its large populations of elephants, hippos and crocodiles. Its signature experience is the boat safari, drifting quietly along the Shire past herds of elephants drinking, wallowing hippos, basking crocodiles and spectacular birdlife, alongside classic game drives, making it one of Africa's most rewarding smaller parks.

What you actually see

• The boat safaris - the river cruises past elephants and hippos.
• The elephants - the large herds along the Shire River.
• The black rhinos and big cats - the reintroduced flagship wildlife.
• The birdlife - the exceptional variety along the river.

When to go

May to October, the dry season, is best, when wildlife concentrates along the shrinking river and the thinning bush makes for superb sightings; the boat safaris are a year-round highlight. The green rainy season is lush and good for birds but wetter, with some areas harder to reach.

Honest expectations

Liwonde is a smaller park than the great reserves of East and Southern Africa, so while its wildlife, especially along the river, is superb and its conservation story inspiring, it is not the place for vast herds across endless plains; its charm is the intimate, river-focused safari. As a beautiful, well-managed park with excellent boat safaris, restored big game and a hopeful conservation tale, though, it is the jewel of Malawian wildlife.

Nearby

Lake Malawi, the Zomba Plateau and Mount Mulanje are within reach.