National park · Malawi
Liwonde National Park
Visit Liwonde for a river safari: pay entry, take a 4x4 game drive or boat ride in the dry season (Jun–Nov); stay at Bushman's Baobabs or Mvuu Camp.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
475 km² (183 sq mi)183 sq mi (475 km²)
approximate
Established
1979
Best months
Jun–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Malawi ↗Malawi dropped its 2024 visa waiver for most Western passports in January 2026; confirm your rule on the official Malawi immigration e-visa portal before you book, not on agent sites.
- Malawi ↗Dress modestly away from lodges: shoulders and knees covered in villages and towns.
- Malawi ↗Do not photograph government buildings, police, the military or airports.
- Southern Malawi ↗Check 2026 visa rules for your passport; the 2024 waiver was reversed.
At a glance
- Country
- Malawi
- Area
- 475 km² (183 sq mi)183 sq mi (475 km²)
- Official area is about 475 km²; some sources split land and river sections (check).
- Established
- 1979
- Best months
- Jun–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Liwonde National Park runs along the Shire River at the southern end of Lake Malombe, offering river‑based safaris, mopane woodland, baobabs and a variety of large mammals and birds, especially in the dry season.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1979.
Size and age
475 km² (183 sq mi)183 sq mi (475 km²) · national park since 1979
Official area is about 475 km²; some sources split land and river sections (check).
Why go
- River safari with elephants, hippos and many antelope species.
- Mopane woodland and baobab trees give a distinctive landscape.
- Birdwatching year‑round, especially African Fish Eagle.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant, hippo, zebra, greater kudu, vervet monkey, baboon, impala, waterbuckAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| African Fish Eagle and other birdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Lilongwe
Drive south on the M3, turn off at Ulongwe village, then 14 km (8.7 mi) dirt road to park edge; boat across Shire River to Mvuu Camp.Drive south on the M3, turn off at Ulongwe village, then 8.7 mi (14 km) dirt road to park edge; boat across Shire River to Mvuu Camp.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Blantyre
Drive north on the M3, turn off near Liwonde town, follow signs to the southern entrance.
2–3 h
From Liwonde town
Boat runs regularly to Mvuu Camp and Lodge; or bicycle taxi to gate.
30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Ulongwe gate (north entrance) | Main entry, vehicle parking, ticket office. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Southern entrance (near Bushman's Baobabs) | Access for southern road visitors, close to lodges. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Mvuu Camp area | Lodges, boat launch, river safari start point. | Open with entry ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate centre of the park; exact gate locations may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for bush walks; game drives and boat safaris can be done with lodge guides.
- Camping
- Not allowed outside designated lodges; stay in park lodges only.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking facilities.
Where to stay
Near the park
Bushman's Baobabs
Eco‑lodge with rooms and restaurant, close to southern entrance.
In the park
Liwonde Safari Camp
Camp with tents and restaurant, on riverbank.
In the park
Mvuu Camp
Wilderness lodge with rooms and guided activities.
Safety
Hippo encounters at night high
Heat medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Vehicle access to gate and lodges via dirt roads; short walks from parking.
Visiting lightly
- Support lodges that employ local staff and buy food locally.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; refill water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Liwonde National Park?
Entry fees are set by the park authority; current rates are not published online – check with the gate or your lodge.
What are the best hikes in Liwonde National Park?
Guided bush walks with a ranger (1–2 h) and 4x4 game drives (2–3 h) are the main trails; they must be done with a guide.
When is the best time to visit Liwonde National Park?
Dry season June to November offers the best wildlife viewing and river levels.
Can I camp in Liwonde National Park?
Camping is not permitted outside designated lodges; stay in a park lodge or camp with permission.
How do I get to the park without a car?
Arrange a pick‑up from Bushman's Baobabs or use the regular boat from Liwonde town to Mvuu Camp.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Liwonde National Park
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