Malawi is well known for game drives, some of the places to enjoy it are as follows…
Majete Wildlife Reserve
Proclaimed in 1955 as fast becoming one of the most beautiful parks in Malawi, where in 2003 it took on a new lease of life and become a Big Five reserve. Located southwest of Blantyre in the Lower Shire Valley in southern Malawi.
It offers a wide variety of activities, including elephant tracking, and visitors can also learn about the culture around Majete and visit a local village.
The Reserve has boosted the animal stocks considerably such as Black Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo, Zebra, Hartebeest and many antelope species including Kudu and Roan can be found here. Another major attraction of Majete is the Kapichira Falls, with stunning views and rock formations worn and created over thousands of years.
Nyika National Park
Liwonde National Park
Lake Malawi National Park
The Lake Malawi National Park incorporates the beautiful Cape Maclear, a World Heritage Site. The park lies in the south of the country, and is the world’s first freshwater park. It includes the land area around the cape and bay, as well as the Lake and islands as far as 100m offshore. These waters are an absolute delight for snorkeling enthusiasts. There is also boating and canoeing on offer. There are 600 species of the colourful Malawi Cichlids, which are endemic here. This diversity of freshwater fish is unequalled in the entire world. The abundant freshwater fish will feed directly from your hand while snorkeling in Lake Malawi.
In the surrounding areas, various animals and birds can be found, There are a number of excellent places to stay, all of which offer many exciting activities. There are even some beautiful romantic island hideaways.
Kasungu National Park
Kasungu is Malawi’s second largest National Park after Nyika and is located in the central region of the country. The landscape covers 2 000km and consists of woodland and bush, grassland and rolling hills, with a small lake and a wide marshy river course. Hippos are established at the lake and some Elephants remained after serious poaching.
Buffalo, Zebra, Leopard, Jackal and antelope are available to spice visitors experience in addition to a wide variety of birds. Due to recent efforts, animal stocks and the accessibility of the Park have been improved, and it can now be toured in regular vehicles. There is a lodge in the Park offering game drives and guided walks. Kasungu is only 160km (100 miles) from Lilongwe. The park also has many important Iron Age archaeological sites.
Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve
The government camp here closed down in 2007, and this may be the reason the reserve is not more popular, but it is a rewarding experience because of the stunning scenery and high concentration of game. There are private lodges nearby where guests can stay. This reserve lies in the north of the country on the Zambian border, and is a backpacker’s delight. It is very accessible from Rumphi by car or public transport. There are wonderful walks around Lake Kazuni (you must be accompanied by a game ranger) as well as 4×4 trails around the reserve. Animals resident around the lake include: many Hippos, Elephant and Buffalo. Many other smaller animals can also be seen, and the birdlife is excellent, with around 300 species recorded in the reserve.
Lengwe National Park
Situated in the southern part of Malawi, 75km from Blantyre, this is the most southern of all the parks. This area is ideal for sugar cane production and much of the surrounding area has been taken over by plantations. The Park has wonderful scenery; the waterholes are great places to spend some time bird watching and also taking walks in the bush. The park has large herds of Nyala as well as many smaller antelope. Baboons, Leopard and Hyena also reside here but are seen less often. There is only one place to stay in the reserve Nyala Safari Lodge.
Nkhotakota Game Reserve
Located in the central region, this is the largest game reserve in Malawi. But excellent walking safaris are possible with the services of a ranger or guide. There are plans to improve the facilities and game management, which in the past have been left to their own devices. Currently facilities in the reserve are limited to camping, but lodges along Lake Malawi shore offer accommodation and can organize day trips into the reserve.