A decade in the past, heading to Malawi for a safari wouldn’t have crossed most individuals’s minds. However lately this small, landlocked nation has undergone an thrilling wildlife revival, with some unbelievable conservation tasks and animal reintroductions. The place as soon as sightings of bigger predators, like lions or leopards was uncommon, Malawi’s nationwide parks and sport reserves at the moment are residence to an array of animals each large and small. If you happen to’re on the lookout for some distinctive wildlife experiences, Malawi is a superb vacation spot.
Listed here are a number of the greatest locations to expertise Malawi’s iconic wildlife:
Vibrant cichlids in Lake Malawi Nationwide Park
Lake Malawi is likely one of the most spectacular and exquisite lakes within the Southern Hemisphere – it’s additionally the third-largest freshwater lake in Africa, and the fifth largest on the earth, stretching about 580km from north to south.
Residence to round 1,000 species of fish, greater than some other lake on the earth, Lake Malawi is a haven for underwater fanatics, providing a number of the most unusual and various freshwater diving experiences on the earth. Cichlids are the star of Lake Malawi, with over 850 totally different species of those vibrant and curious fish discovered within the lake’s clear waters, a lot of that are endemic to the lake and may solely be discovered right here.
Kaya Mawa, a luxurious lodge on Likoma Island, within the central a part of the lake, Blue Zebra Island Lodge, on the tiny, idyllic Nankoma Island within the abandoned Marelli Islands, and Mumbo Island, a extra laid-back and chilled, personal island, within the south, are nice choices for lodging right here.
Strong Rhinos in Liwonde Nationwide Park:
In southern Malawi, close to the Mozambique border, is the attractive Liwonde Nationwide Park – wonderful for each sport viewing and fowl watching. Liwonde is an distinctive safari vacation spot, revived from the brink of destruction & now a key protected space in Malawi.
African Parks, a non-profit organisation, assumed administration of Liwonde, in partnership with the Division of Nationwide Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) in 2015. The park was riddled with tens of 1000’s of wire snares – there have been extra snares than giant animals! The park additionally had a number of the highest human-wildlife battle ranges within the area. Liwonde was a park in decline, teetering on the sting of whole collapse
African Parks have subsequently established one of the vital efficient ranger forces and coaching grounds in southern Africa and reintroduced cheetahs, lions, wild canine and black rhinos (there at the moment are greater than 30). In 2019, the park hosted one of many largest worldwide black rhino translocations in historical past, the place 17 black rhino have been relocated from South Africa, to spice up inhabitants numbers and genetics, and in 2021 eight African wild canine have been launched. Liwonde can also be residence to some birding specials, together with Pel’s fishing owl, Livingstone’s flycatcher and Lilian’s love fowl, making it one in every of Malawi’s premier wildlife locations. Not solely are Liwonde’s wildlife populations on the rise, so too are the variety of guests. In only a few brief years, Liwonde has been given a second likelihood, being restored and remodeled for the good thing about the wildlife, and for the individuals who stay right here.
Liwonde is a straightforward drive from southern Lake Malawi and Blantyre, and wildlife viewing right here will be accomplished by 4×4, strolling or boat safaris. The park and its camps will also be accessed by mild plane and boat switch. Mvuu Camp and Kuthengo Camp are two well-liked lodges situated within the coronary heart of Liwonde and provide comfy lodging and quick access to the park’s wildlife.
Legendary leopards in Nyika Nationwide Park
Nyika Nationwide Park is Malawi’s largest park and one in every of its secret jewels, masking over 3,134 sq. km. The park is residence to a variety of wildlife, together with elephants, buffalo and zebra, with roan and eland typically in giant herds. There’s even a small inhabitants of lions. That is additionally among the finest locations in Malawi to identify leopards, as they meander by way of the evergreen forests.
Reaching altitudes of over 2,500 m, that is an setting like none different in Africa. Positioned within the far north of the nation, the surroundings right here may be very totally different from different components of Malawi, with rolling hills, grasslands dotted with clumps of pine bushes, and streams flowing by way of huge valleys. Nyika is greatest explored on foot, and strolling safaris right here provide some distinctive wildlife experiences. Guests may also get pleasure from sport drives and horseback safaris, which provide an opportunity to identify the park’s giant mammals from a safer distance.
Wealthy birdlife consists of uncommon species like wattled cranes and red-winged francolins. Seasonal orchids and different wildflowers dot the panorama – in reality, with 213 totally different species of untamed orchids species, 30 of that are endemic to the park, Nyika is residence to the richest focus of untamed orchids in southern Africa
Nyika Nationwide Park is effectively price a go to, and as soon as you might be there Chelinda Lodge and Chelinda Camp provide comfy lodging and fabulous views.
Full of life lions in Majete Wildlife Reserve
Majete Wildlife Reserve, mendacity within the Decrease Shire Valley within the south-west of Malawi, is an incredible success story of restoration and restoration, and the continued safety of endangered species has turned Majete into one of the vital well-liked reserves in Malawi for wildlife and safaris. Located within the south-west of Malawi, Majete Wildlife Reserve has a rugged magnificence and is a straightforward 1½ hour drive from Blantyre (or you possibly can fly in by mild plane). Nestled within the Decrease Shire Valley, Majete is among the many few sport reserves in Africa the place guests have a possibility to see the well-known ‘Large 5’. The reserve is residence to elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffalos, and is likely one of the greatest locations in Malawi to see lion. Actually, once you add the reserve’s wild canine and cheetah to the combination, Majete will be considered a ‘Large 7’ vacation spot!
Majete was as soon as a prolific wildlife refuge, however within the ‘70s and ‘80s poaching prompted Majete’s animal populations to plummet and by the late 1990’s most species of huge sport, together with elephant, had been eradicated. In 2003, African Parks, in partnership with the Malawian authorities and native communities, took whole accountability for the rehabilitation and long-term administration of the reserve. African Parks undertook a mass translocation of wildlife that started in 2003, and by March 2012, 2,559 animals from fourteen totally different species had been reintroduced. Majete as a reserve has been utterly remodeled and is now one in every of Malawi’s greatest sport parks providing fantastic wildlife viewing.
Thawale Camp is a basic tented camp on the gateway to Majete. It’s a incredible camp, in a main location, proper on the sting of a waterhole that repeatedly attracts a wide range of wildlife, together with elephants, giraffe, waterbuck and impala. Alternatively, Mkulumadzi Lodge situated on the banks of the Shire River within the coronary heart of Majete, is the proper spot to fall in love with the sights & sounds of the river, in addition to spot a few of its plentiful native hippos.
Glorious elephants in Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve
Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, within the centre of the Malawi, is the oldest and largest nationwide park within the nation and an exquisite instance of true, rugged, untouched wilderness. At 1,800 sq. kilometres, Nkhotakota is an enormous space of rugged terrain crossed by a community of rivers that tumble down the sting of the Rift Valley escarpment and make their methods to Lake Malawi. Many of the reserve is miombo woodland, with giant patches of tall grasses and occasional areas of rainforest.
Birdlife is prolific with big kingfishers and palm nut vultures among the many 280 recorded species. Like Majete, Nkhotakota can also be beneath the administration of African Parks, and in 2017 a historic relocation of about 520 elephants befell right here – one of many largest elephant translocations in historical past. By August 2017, over a two-year interval, the park acquired not solely these elephants, however 2,000 different animals from two different parks in Malawi as effectively, and with a well-trained and outfitted ranger staff, poaching had develop into a factor of the previous.
Nkhotakota is a nice 3 ½ hour drive from Lilongwe, or a 30-minute mild plane flight. Streams and waterfalls cascade from the hills, and one of the best ways to discover the park is on foot or by canoe alongside the Bua River. Tongole Wilderness Lodge, Bua River Lodge and Rafiki Safari Camp are the lodging choices right here.
Rehabilitated rescues at Lilongwe Wildlife Centre
Remarkably for a capital metropolis, the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre lies within the centre of city. An oasis of inexperienced, it’s residence to a wide range of birds and some smaller animals, and can also be the bottom of the Lilongwe Wildlife Belief, who work tirelessly to guard Malawi’s wildlife. Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is famend as among the finest wildlife sanctuaries in Africa, and is the one accredited animal sanctuary in Malawi, rescuing and rehabilitating wild animals from across the nation. The centre is residence to roughly 200 rescued animals at anyone time.
Malawi is a superb vacation spot for wildlife lovers. From diving amongst vibrant cichlids, to recognizing majestic elephants and lions, from cruising the Shire River with hippos and crocodiles, to stalking leopards within the highlands of Nyika, Malawi is the proper vacation spot for an immersive wildlife journey. Whether or not you’re a seasoned wildlife fanatic or just on the lookout for a brand new and thrilling journey expertise, Malawi is a vacation spot to not be missed.
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