The natural features in Malawi make up the largest tourist destinations in the country and some of them are the numerous National parks and game reserves that act as habitats for the many wild life that is found in the country. For all the nature lovers, Malawi has got you covered and it has now become the best destination for the big five safaris. There are specifically three categories of places that have been reserved for the protection of animals and these include wild life sanctuaries, National parks and game reserves. There are tour guides who are available and these can take you to any Park that you want to visit while in Malawi.
The Kasungu National park
Kasungu National park is the second largest National Park in Malawi and is located right next to the Zambian border. The best time to visit the Kasungu National Park is during the dry season because during the rainy season, some routes leading the park are cut off by floods including the trek routes that are found within the Park. Some of the wildlife that is found in the Kasungu National Park includes the Roan antelope, zebras, Impalas, the Kudu, hyenas, buffalos, elephants and lions.
Kasungu National Park has about 350 bird species that are habitate within the park and these include the purple crested Turaco, the African fish skimmer, the lesser Jacana and many more others. As you head down to the Kasungu National Park be aware of the Tsetse flies that normally infect the animals but besides all that, it still is the perfect place for one to see all the animals that Malawi has to offer.
The Majete wild life Reserve
The Majete wild life Reserve is located in the Shire Valley in the country and it is a top place for tourists who want see the big five and this is due to the fact that the government keeps on reintroducing animals in the Reserve. The animals had been depleted before due to the constant poaching by the locals and other poachers but at the moment you can walk around the park and get to see animals like the leopards, elephants, baboons, monkeys, lions, hippos, antelopes, bush bucks and many more others.
Majete wild life reserve has over 300 bird species habituating in the park and some of the bird species that can be seen when one goes to the Majete Reserve are the African fish eagle, the white backed vulture, the bee-eater, the racket tailed roller, the bat hawk and many more other unique bird species.
The Kapichira Falls are another attraction that you will find in the Majete wildlife Reserve and it acts as a resting point for all those that come to the Park for trekking. It is also a good backdrop for the photographs especially in the way the rocks were formed. And when it comes to accommodation, there are several campsites near the Reserve that you can use.
The Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve
The Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve is not commonly visited by tourists but it has a lot to offer when it comes to animals and some of those that you get to see include elephants, buffalos, hippos, repties and you not only get to see the animals but also get to hike through the Rreserve and explore the Lake Kazuni where you can relax from after a long day. It is a quiet place when it comes to it and for all those that really want to relax, this is the best tplace to be due to its location. There are also accommodation facilities where you can rest after a long day in the Reserve.
Nyika National Park
The Nyika National Park is located in the Northern part of the country in the famous Nyika plateau. Nyika park is not only the oldest park in Malawi but it is also the largest park in Malawi which means that it has more to offer when it comes to wild. The landscape that is found both within and around the Park makes it easy for tourists to enjoy their game drives as they explore the park.
Some of the wild life that habitate in the Nyika National Park include the Buffalos, Giraffes, elephants, hippos, zebras, the African pied wagtail, Secretary bird, wattled crane, long crested eagle, hyenas, owls, the African fish skimmer and many more others. The other activities that you can carry out while in Nyika are hiking through the Nyika plateau, trek through the Park as you admire all it has to offer and you also get to visit the locals who live around the Park.
The best time to visit the Nyika National Park is during the dry season because then the roads will be easily accessible but if you try to access it during the rainy season then you will need 4by4 car so that you do not get stuck along the way. You will be require to pay entrance fee so that you are able to access the park with ease and you will need a tour guide who will take you through the park.
Lilondwe National Park
Found in a remote area in the southern part of Malawi, the Lilondwe National Park is the best place to go for tourists o go and relax when they decide to go for a safari to Malawi. There are several actvities that can be carried out when you visit the National park that is trekking, animal viewing, birding and learning about the vegetation types that can be found in the Park.
Some of the bird species that are found in the Lilondwe National Park include the Bohm bee-eater, the African open bill, the pied kingfisher, the black heron, the long toed lapwing, antelopes, buffalos, elephants, hippos, kudu, the Impala, baboons, water bucks and antelopes. All these can be seen when you drive through the Park and this can be done best during the dry season and if you want to do birding, it is best done during the wet season and especially in the morning. You will aslo need a tour guide to take you around the Park and explain all that you will be seeing and do not forget to carry drining water.
It is extremely hard to gain access to the Park and sme accommodation facilities that are found near the park due to the constant flooding but some tourists brave the rain and ened up using boats to get to the accommodaton facilities and the Park.
Lake Malawi National Park
The Lake Malawi National Park was declared a UNESCO heritage site and minus the wild life that habitates in the Park, this has made it the best destination for all tourists. The Lake Malawi National Park is located at the shores of the Lake Malawi where tourists get to do a lot of things like boat riding, snorkeling, fishing, visiting the bay and enjoy the Islands that surround the Lake.
The various wild life that can be seen in the National Park include the African king fisher, the Egret, the African fish eagles, the hornbill, the Kestrel, the Nightjars, the bee-eater, lions, elephants, baboons, monkeys and many more others.
Nkhotakota Game Reserve
When we talk about game reserves, the Nkhotakota Game reserve is the largest in Malawi and it is located in the central part of the country. The reserve might not be having a lot of wild life but efforts are being made so that some of the animals that had been poached are transported to this reserve so that they are preserved.
The Nkhotakota Reserve covers about 1900 square meters and it is a home to elephants, lions, buffalos, zebras, waterbucks, sable and bushbucks. The reserve is also good for hikes especially for those who love adrenaline high activities due to the hilly nature of the landscape where the Reserve is located. There are also some accommodation facilities that can be found near the Reserve and there are tour guides who are willing to take you through the Reserve so that you enjoy your stay in Ethiopia.
Lengwe National Park
The Lengwe National Park is located in the Southern Part of Malawi and it is one of the few places where you get to see the many herds of animals all in one place. As you travel to the Park, you will be able to see the surrounding beautiful scenery that is filled with sugarcanes and other vegetation types and the animals that you will see when you are there include hyenas, different bird species, leopards, baboons, monkeys, reptiles and many more interesting wild life. When it comes to accommodation, there is only one place for all to stay and it is the Nyala safari lodge which means you need to book early especially during the peak season but you can also enjoy the outside camping which will give you a feel of the wild in Malawi.
Game viewing
Liwonde National Park in southern Malawi is one of the popular national parks offering unbeatable game viewing. You will find the black rhinos; a species almost wiped out in Africa’s parks and reserves, to the open grasslands and near shire river banks are the African elephants and crocodiles that measure up to 6m in length.
Nyika National Park is situated on the abundant plateau called Nyika that stretches from the borders of Tanzania into northern Malawi. The lush grasslands and woodland forests cover the rolling hills are a good habitat for warthog, reedbuck, monkeys, zebras, leopards and reedbuck among others. The roan and sable antelopes are also found in Nyika park as well. Vwasa National park is located in the northern Nyika plateau region although it is under private administration
Majete Wildlife Reserve is focused on conservation efforts in the lower Shire Valley region together with Lengwe Park and Mwabyi Wildlife reserve. Common sights in the Shire Valley parks and reserves are the Crocdiles, hippos, rhinos and elephants
Kasungu National Park and Nkhotakota wildlife reserve are found in central Malawi particularly significant for the lion and other big cats. Other animals found in Malawi include Hyenas, genet, jackals,serval, cheetahs and civet among other predators.
The lakes and rivers in Malawi are recorded with 700 different species of fish. In Lake Malawi are cichlids, lake salmon and brightly colored Mbuna, sungwa, Mlamba, Matemba, Kampango, Usipa, Mcheni and tiger fish are species from Shire river. Other species in Malawi include Cat fish and cyprinid species