I have visited several safari parks in Malawi. They are often overlooked compared to Zambia or Tanzania. That is a mistake. Malawi has smaller parks, but they deliver strong wildlife experiences without the heavy crowds.
If you are planning a safari here, you need to know which parks are worth your time and which might leave you disappointed.
Table of Contents
Key Points
- Visit more than one park in Malawi to balance different habitats and wildlife sightings.
- Budget for higher costs in remote reserves, where transport and logistics add up quickly.
- Choose lodging carefully, as it can make or break your experience in these lesser-known parks.
Safari Parks in Malawi Worth Visiting
The safari parks in Malawi are not all created equal. Some are still recovering from decades of poaching. Others have had major restocking efforts and now hold Big Five status.
If you only stick to Liwonde or Majete, you will miss the broader story. Here are the parks that deserve more attention, with my honest take on each.
Kasungu National Park
Kasungu National Park is the second largest in Malawi, yet it sees few visitors. The terrain is miombo woodland with open grassland, dotted by dambos that hold water late into the dry season.
Wildlife numbers are still building up, but it is a place where you feel the wild around you.
The elephants here are less habituated than in Liwonde, which makes sightings more raw but sometimes distant. I once drove for an hour without seeing another vehicle. That solitude is part of Kasungu’s appeal, but it also means fewer support services.
Accommodation is limited. Lifupa Lodge has budget rooms around $50–80 per night, but maintenance is hit-or-miss. For mid-range comfort, expect $150–200 per night, though options are scarce.
Luxury-level lodges are absent here, so if you want high-end safari comfort, this is not the park.
If you want more detail on specific animals you might see, I recommend reading my guide on wild animals in Malawi.
Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve
Nkhotakota was once nearly empty of large mammals. African Parks restocked it with elephants, buffalo, and antelope. Today it is still rebuilding, but it is worth visiting for the landscape alone.
The reserve covers 1,800 square kilometers of thick woodland and rolling hills.
I hiked here with a local guide, and the silence was striking. You do not always see big game, but you feel the possibility around every bend. It is best for people who want walking safaris and a sense of discovery rather than guaranteed sightings.
Lodges here range widely. Bua River Lodge has rustic tents for about $100 per night. Tongole Wilderness Lodge is a luxury option around $400–600 per night, with all meals and guided walks included.
Staying at Tongole felt like stepping into a private reserve, with meals overlooking the river and no traffic noise.
For a deeper dive into this reserve, see my article on Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve.
Nyika National Park
Nyika National Park is unique in Malawi. Instead of lowland bush, you find high rolling grassland at over 2,000 meters altitude. It looks more like Scotland than Africa.
That difference alone makes it worth the journey.
Wildlife includes roan antelope, eland, and herds of zebra. I once came across a leopard at dusk on the plateau. Birdwatchers will find plenty here, especially endemic species tied to the highlands.
The park is remote. From Lilongwe it is about a 10-hour drive. Flights into Chelinda airstrip are possible but expensive.
Once there, Chelinda Lodge offers cabins for about $250–350 per night. Self-catering at Chelinda Camp is cheaper, closer to $70 per night, but you need to bring supplies.
I cover this in more detail in my Nyika National Park guide.
Lengwe National Park
Lengwe National Park sits in the Lower Shire Valley, not far from Majete. It does not have the full Big Five, but it does offer nyala antelope, which are rare in other parks.
This is the only place in Malawi where I have seen them consistently.
The park is hot, with thorn scrub and seasonal rivers. Game viewing is harder than in Majete or Liwonde, but for dedicated safari-goers, it is rewarding.
A good tip is to focus on early morning drives, before the heat pushes animals deep into cover.
Lengwe has one main lodge, Nyala Lodge, with rooms from $80–120 per night. It is basic, but the location inside the park makes it worthwhile.
Do not expect polished service, but you will have close access to wildlife.
You can read my full breakdown in Lengwe National Park.
Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve
Mwabvi is the least visited reserve in Malawi. It is remote, near the Mozambique border. Getting there is a challenge, with rough roads and little signage.
But if you want a wilderness with no crowds, this is it.
Wildlife is limited, but the rock formations and river valleys are striking. I spent a night camping here and did not see another traveler the whole time. That solitude is rare in African safaris today.
There is only one lodge, Chipembere Eco-Camp, with rates around $50–90 per night. It is community-run, and you should not expect luxury.
But your money goes directly to local conservation.
For more on planning, check my guide to Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve.
Combining Parks for a Better Safari
One mistake I see is travelers picking just one park. Malawi’s strength is variety. You could spend a week in Liwonde or Majete, then add two days in Nyika for contrast.
Or pair Kasungu with Nkhotakota if you want remoteness over crowds. Another smart option is combining a Big Five park with a more specialized one. For example, Majete offers lions and rhinos, while Lengwe gives you nyala antelope and a different habitat.
This mix keeps your safari from feeling repetitive.
Transport is the challenge. Road travel between parks is long and rough. Hiring a private driver costs about $100–150 per day plus fuel, and you need to plan for slow travel days.
Domestic flights cut time but cost $250–400 one way and schedules can change with little notice. A strategic approach is to cluster parks by region. For instance, Majete, Lengwe, and Mwabvi can be combined in the Lower Shire, while Nkhotakota and Kasungu work well together in the center.
Always budget extra time for delays, especially if you are connecting to international flights.
For overall planning tips, I suggest checking my Malawi safari guide. It lays out the best routes and timing.
Preparing for a Safari in Malawi
Travel in Malawi is simpler than it first looks, but you need to prepare. Entry requires a visa for most visitors, which you can apply for online through the Malawi e-Visa System.
Bring printouts of your approval and passport photos to avoid problems at the border. If you are arriving by land from Zambia or Mozambique, allow extra time, as border posts can be slow and paperwork sometimes inconsistent.
Health is another concern. Malaria is present year-round. I always take prophylaxis and travel with a mosquito net. Carry a small medical kit, as pharmacies outside major towns have limited stock.
Driving distances are long, and fuel stations can be unreliable, so top up whenever you see one. A good strategy is to refuel in larger towns like Lilongwe, Blantyre, or Mzuzu and keep cash handy, since some stations do not accept cards.
Packing is similar to other safaris: neutral clothes, good walking shoes, and a pair of binoculars. But because Malawi’s parks vary so much in altitude and climate, bring both warm layers for Nyika and light gear for Lengwe.
I also recommend a lightweight rain jacket if traveling during the wet season, plus a flashlight for camps with limited electricity. Having a mix of clothes and a few backup supplies can save you from headaches once you are in remote areas.
Final Thoughts
Malawi is not the easiest safari destination. But if you are willing to look beyond the famous names, the reward is a safari that feels personal and unhurried.
Parks like Kasungu, Nkhotakota, and Nyika may not deliver instant Big Five checklists, but they give you space and authenticity. A smart strategy is to pair one of these parks with a more established option like Liwonde or Majete.
This way you balance reliable game viewing with the quieter, less developed feel of the overlooked reserves. For me, that combination makes the journey worthwhile and helps avoid disappointment from expecting too much in a single location.
