Central Malawi is where the country’s rewilding ambition is being written. Two large miombo reserves — one the stage for one of the biggest elephant translocations in history, the other steadily recovering — offer wild, low-key bush within reach of Lilongwe and the lakeshore.
Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve
Malawi’s largest and oldest reserve, a rugged miombo wilderness on the lake escarpment. Under African Parks it became the site of a landmark project that moved more than 500 elephants here — one of the largest such translocations ever — alongside buffalo, antelope and reintroduced predators.
Wildlife Density: ★★★☆☆ Infrastructure: ★★★☆☆ Photography: ★★★★☆
Adventure: ★★★★☆ Exclusivity: ★★★★☆ Value for Money: ★★★★☆ Scenery: ★★★★☆
Location: Central Malawi; on the lake escarpment near Nkhotakota
Key wildlife: Elephant, buffalo, antelope, predators (recovering), birds
Best for: Wilderness, walking & river safaris, conservation story
Best time: June–November (dry season)
Kasungu National Park
Malawi’s second-largest park, a broad miombo and dambo landscape on the Zambian border. Long depleted, its elephant and buffalo are recovering with renewed protection and cross-border efforts, and its scenic Lifupa dam draws game in the dry season.
Wildlife Density: ★★☆☆☆ Infrastructure: ★★☆☆☆ Photography: ★★★☆☆
Adventure: ★★★☆☆ Exclusivity: ★★★★☆ Value for Money: ★★★★☆ Scenery: ★★★★☆
Location: Central Malawi; near Kasungu town; Zambia border
Key wildlife: Elephant, buffalo, antelope, hippo (recovering)
Best for: Quiet bush, recovery story, value
Best time: June–November (dry; game at Lifupa dam)
More about these reserves will be added here over time.
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