Liwonde National Park, Malawi, Africa

Our first time in Liwonde was quite an experience. Never had we been in a park so close to a village - you literally take a boat to cross a river and you “hit the city”. It’s a good reminder of the pressing concern about growing populations in place

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The feeling we got in Malawi is that crossing that line is a close-call and needs protecting. Although once you are on safari there, you can see how healthy and numerous some species are.

For example, elephants: you see them often and in big, active, loud herds. Liwonde actually hosts some of the healthiest elephant populations in Africa - so healthy indeed that 336 of them were taken out of this national park to another wildlife reserve in Malawi, back in 2016. It was here that we woke up in the middle of the night, stepping out in our balcony, to have our room surrounded by a breeding herd. For over an hour they stayed around us and close, lots of soft rumbling going around while we silently sat in the dark of a moonless night. We were not afraid, not tense, just emotional and excited to be among them.

Not only elephants, but we get some rarities in here too: the shy sable antelope (one of my favourites), and more recently, black rhino (I know!!) cheetahs and lions who were introduced back into the park - after so many years of its lacking of predators or a big 5 full list.

The fact that so much conservation work is being done in this area (to remove snares, activate anti poaching teams and work with local communities to reduce wildlife conflict) is the reason Malawi is becoming an attractive destination for safari lovers.

All pictures published were taken and belong to LovingJune Travels.

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LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK - MALAWI

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