Malawi National Parks and Safaris
African Country With Wildlife, Birds and Africa's Largest Lake
Jun 7, 2009
Malawi is a favorite African safari destination because of its friendly locals, stunning scenery and diving and snorkeling opportunities. It has a large population for a small African country, yet it remains clean and relatively unspoiled. There are plenty of African safari options and tours available and accommodation ranges from luxury lodges to backpacker rooms and camping.
Malawi is home to nine national parks and game reserves, the following three describe some of the main attractions of Lake Malawi, traveling to the more remote northern areas and tours to the national park closest to the capital, Lilongwe.
Traveling to Nyika National Park in the North of Malawi
The plateau is remote, wild and beautiful providing dramatic scenery and panoramic views, especially to the north. The Nyika National Park is relatively untouched by human civilization.
The park contains wonderful wildlife consisting of large herds of zebra, various species of antelope, warthog and more than 300 bird species. It is home to the largest concentration of leopard in the country. The nocturnal family of wild animals include hyena, jackal, civet cat, honey badger, porcupine and aardvark.
There are no lions in the park and leopards are nocturnal, so it is possible to go on foot safaris of between 1 – 5 days but only if accompanied by a game ranger. Accommodation ranges from a luxury lodge, self-catering chalets and a camp site at Chilinda. Tours and safaris can easily be arranged.
Tours to Liwonde National Park
Liwonde National Park is situated 120km north of Blantyre and 236km from the capital Lilongwe. Here Malawi's largest elephant population is found, the 'ellies' usually converge along the edges of the rivers. Large antelope species such as sable and kudu are abundant here, as well as predators such as lion.
The dry season is the best time to tour this part of Africa, as the roads are more passable and there is better game viewing. The dry season would include months May through to September.
Lake Malawi Marine Park
Lake Malawi National Park was founded in the early 1980’s, to provide some safe breeding grounds for the unique Cichlid fishes of Lake Malawi. The park includes a land area around a bay, some forests on the midland, Lake Malawi itself and its islands.
The National Park is the most important freshwater fish sanctuary in Africa and it was the first park in the world to give protection to the marine life of a tropical deep water, Rift Valley Lake.
Here there is the opportunity for diving and snorkeling that provides a very different kind of African safari, since the lake contains a veritable aquarium of tropical and almost tame fish providing a colorful and vibrant display.
The fish will eat directly from the hand and some fish here are found no-where else on earth. Diving and snorkeling here is a unique experience - most divers promise they will return to repeat the experience!
