Kasungu National Park
In the west of Central Malawi, and bordering Zambia, is Kasungu National Park, an 800 sq mile (2100 sq km) area of natural woodland and bush with occasional stretches of more open grass. At one time, Kasungu was Malawi’s main game park, closest to Lilongwe and favoured by the country’s first President, Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda. But it has been long overtaken by Liwonde and now Majete in the south, as well as Nyika in the north. And even in Central Malawi, Nkhotakoata Wildlife Reserve, now being managed and developed by African Parks, is the first choice of most visitors to this region keen to go on safari.
Poaching has reduced the number of some species of animals in Kasungu but there is still wildlife to be seen including elephants and a variety of antelope, plus small herds of buffalo and zebra. Predators include leopards, hyenas, servals and jackals. There are a number of hippos in the lake at Lifupa and, as elsewhere in Malawi, the birdwatching is excellent. In 2022, Kasungu benefitted from a translocation of some 263 elephants and 431 additional animals. Click here for further details.
This is a park which is relatively easy to drive around. There is a lodge at Lifupa, currently run on a self-catering basis (chefs available), with camping nearby. Kasungu is relatively easy to reach from Lilongwe (approx. 100 miles/160 km).
Accommodation in or near Kasungu National Park

Heuglin’s Lodge
Heuglin’s Lodge is situated in the leafy residential suburbs of Lilongwe, just minutes away from the city centre, and is named after the robin, which is often seen in its gardens.

Mafumu Hotel
Mafumu Hotel is located in the unique ‘Old Town’ of Lilongwe, Malawi and is privately owned hotel with conference facilities. Situated only 30 minutes from the main airport.

Korea Garden Lodge
Located in the capital city of Lilongwe, Korea Garden Lodge offers a range of accommodation at very competitive rates. The Lodge is on Tsiranana Avenue, close to the Lilongwe Golf Club.

Africa House Malawi
Africa House Malawi is a stylish contemporary lodge that has been created from a unique blend of African designs, furniture, fabrics and personal collectables, set in the heart of Lilongwe.

Mitengo House
Mitengo House is a new modern contemporarily lodge situated in a well recommended residential area of Lilongwe.

Kumbali Country Lodge
Kumbali Country Lodge, is an exclusive and private lodge with conference centre only 10 minutes from Lilongwe City Centre and 25 minutes from the International airport.
Other Places to Visit in Central Malawi

Chongoni Rock Art
In the forested granite hills around Dedza is the Chongoni Rock Art Area, a UNESCO World Heritage SIte. this is the densest cluster of ancient rock art found in central Africa.

Dedza
Dedza is a town of interest for a variety of reasons. At 1600m (5300ft) it is the highest town in the country and sits in a beautiful landscape of forests and highlands.

Dwangwa
Thirty miles north of Nkhotakota is the settlement of Dwangwa, a useful place to stock up and refuel when travelling up and down the lakeshore.

Dzalanyama Forest Reserve
Dzalanyama is approximately 40 km from Lilongwe and covers the steep range of hills which bear the same name. It's a beautiful natural environment to explore and enjoy.

Lilongwe
Lilongwe is Malawi’s capital. The Old Town is distinct and has the appearance of a traditional African settlement, whilst the City has much in common with other twentieth century urban developments around the world.

Marelli Islands
The Marelli Islands group, consist of three uninhabited islands that are protected as part of the Lake Malawi National Park. They are 3 km from the Senga Bay shore.

Mua Mission
Mua Mission is famous for the quality of the wood carvings produced and sold there. The standards are superb and the prices very reasonable.

Nkhotakota
Often, but confusingly, described as the largest traditional village in Africa, Nkhotakota is rich in history. Visited by Dr Livingstone in 1863, it was then a major centre for the slave trade.

Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve
Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve is one of the two large wildlife areas in Central Malawi. A true wilderness, it has a promising future after recent mass restocking.

Ntchisi Forest Reserve
Ntchisi Forest Reserve contains some of the last remaining indigenous rainforest in Malawi. Some trees tower thirty metres overhead.

Salima & Senga Bay
Salima is an important service and trading centre set back from Lake Malawi whilst Senga Bay has a stretch of sandy beach with a range of hotels, lodges and campsites.
Other Places to See Wildlife

Chimwenya Game Park
Chimwenya Game Park is a serene, beautiful and privately owned 500 acre game park, in one of the last remaining indigenous forests inteh Shire HIghlands.

Dzalanyama Forest Reserve
Dzalanyama is approximately 40 km from Lilongwe and covers the steep range of hills which bear the same name. It's a beautiful natural environment to explore and enjoy.

Elephant Marsh
Elephant Marsh is part of the flood plain of the River Shire. Though now devoid of elephants it is still home to a fantastic array of birdlife.

Lake Chilwa
Lake Chilwa is Malawi’s second biggest lake, home to unique fishing villages and a designated wetland of international importance because of the huge bird populations it supports.

Lake Malawi National Park
Lake Malawi National Park is the world's first freshwater national park and world heritage site, situated at Cape Maclear.

Lengwe National Park
Lengwe National Park is 350 sq miles of dense vegetation with good birdlife and a number of mammal species to be seen. It is only an hour or so from Blantyre.

Lilongwe
Lilongwe is Malawi’s capital. The Old Town is distinct and has the appearance of a traditional African settlement, whilst the City has much in common with other twentieth century urban developments around the world.

Liwonde National Park
Liwonde is perhaps the most popular of all of Malawi's game parks. The River Shire flows along its western border, allowing boat safaris to discover the Big 5 and an array of birdlife.

Lower Shire Valley
The Lower Shire Valley is an extension of the Rift Valley and home to no less than three national parks/wildlife reserves.

Majete Wildlife Reserve
Majete Wildlife Reserve is a unique conservation and tourist destination for all visitors. An amazing success story of recovery and restoration, and now home to the Big 5.

Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve
Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve is little neglected in terms of wildlife but the landscape includes scenic rocky outcrops and rivers cutting through impressive gorges.

Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve
Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve is one of the two large wildlife areas in Central Malawi. A true wilderness, it has a promising future after recent mass restocking.

Nyika National Park
Nyika is Malawi’s largest park. Superb wildlife and landscapes in one, it offers breathtaking, unique, scenery combined with wonderful safaris.

Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve
Vwasa Wildlife Reserve, an area of marsh and plain, with a few rocky outcrops, is all of 400 sq miles (1000 sq km) and lies along the Zambian border north-west of Mzuzu.