image credit: Panorama Global
Liwonde National Park, also known as Liwonde Wildlife Reserve, is one of Malawi’s most remarkable conservation success stories. Located in southern Malawi near the Mozambique border, the park was established in 1973 and has been managed by the nonprofit conservation organization African Parks since August 2015.
When African Parks took over management from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), Liwonde faced serious challenges. The park was overrun with tens of thousands of wire snares, and human-wildlife conflict levels were among the highest in the region. However, since then, Liwonde has undergone an incredible transformation.
The park now boasts one of the most effective conservation law enforcement systems and ranger training programs in Southern Africa. Over 40,000 wire snares have been removed, advanced technology has been introduced to monitor wildlife, and several major species reintroductions have been carried out.In 2017, Liwonde welcomed back cheetahs—absent for nearly a century—marking a major milestone in the park’s restoration.
This was followed by the reintroduction of lions in 2018, and wild dogs in 2021. In 2019, seventeen black rhinos were relocated from South Africa to Liwonde in one of the largest international black rhino translocations in history.
Liwonde National Park is a now a thriving haven for wildlife and an outstanding example of successful conservation. The park is home to elephants, hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, and a variety of antelope species. Birdwatchers are drawn to its rich diversity, with over 400 bird species recorded.
It is an amazing place where visitors can experience the park through game drives, walking safaris, boat safaris along the Shire River and an unforgettable way to see hippos and crocodiles in their natural environment. Comfortable lodges and camps near the park allow guests to stay close to nature while enjoying modern amenities.The Liwonde National Park stands today as both a wildlife sanctuary and a conservation triumph, showing what is possible when people and nature coexist through commitment, protection, and care.