National Parks and Wildlife Reserves to Visit in Malawi

Malawi protects some of Africa’s most important wildlife areas across five national parks and four wildlife reserves, covering 11.6% of the country’s land.⁴ The parks offer activities from game drives to bird watching, with around 650 bird species found in the country, several found only in the region.¹

The Five National Parks

Nyika National Park in northern Malawi is the largest protected area at 3,134 square km, established in 1966 on a plateau.¹ It offers the country’s most beautiful scenery with game viewing and special interest activities including flower and bird watching.¹

Lake Malawi National Park protects the country’s largest water body and its wildlife.¹

Liwonde National Park offers multiple safari activities and is particularly popular with birders.⁵

Lengwe National Park, 80km south of Blantyre near the Mozambique border, was first protected as a game reserve in 1928 and became a national park in 1970.² It covers 887 square km and is home to the nyala antelope and other large mammals in their natural habitat.²

Kasungu National Park has a lodge with game drives and guided walks available, and you can self-drive with a decent map.²

Wildlife Reserves

Majete Wildlife Reserve, 70km south of Blantyre, was established in 1955 and has been transformed through wildlife reintroduction since 2003.² It is now a Big Five reserve where you can see elephant, lion, buffalo, black rhino and leopard.⁶ By 2017, more than 430 elephants were living there after breeding from reintroduced animals.²

Other wildlife reserves include Vwaza Marsh, Nkhotakota, and Mwabvi.³⁴

Activities Available

Game drives and night safaris are available at the parks.² Walking safaris and guided walks let you experience wildlife on foot.¹² Boat safaris are offered where water is available.¹ Bird watching is particularly rewarding, especially at Nyika, Liwonde, Lengwe, Lake Malawi and Dzalanyama Forest Reserve.⁵ Fish watching is also available.¹

Frequently asked questions

Which park should I visit if I want to see the Big Five?

Majete Wildlife Reserve is now a Big Five destination where elephant, lion, buffalo, black rhino and leopard have been successfully reintroduced.⁶

What is special about Nyika National Park?

Nyika is Malawi’s largest national park at 3,134 square km, situated on a plateau and offers the most beautiful scenery in the country.¹

Can I go bird watching in Malawi?

Yes, Malawi is home to around 650 bird species, several found only in the region, and popular birding spots include Nyika, Liwonde, Lengwe, Lake Malawi and Dzalanyama Forest Reserve.¹⁵