A small park in the far south at the northern limit of the nyala’s range, Lengwe is the easiest place to see this handsome antelope, along with buffalo, kudu and good dry-season hide viewing — a quiet add-on near Majete.
Ratings
Wildlife Density: ★★★☆☆ Infrastructure: ★★☆☆☆ Photography: ★★★☆☆
Adventure: ★★★☆☆ Exclusivity: ★★★★☆ Price: $$ Scenery: ★★★☆☆
Key wildlife: Nyala, buffalo, kudu, bushbuck, birds
Best for: Antelope & birding, quiet add-on to Majete
Best time: September–November (dry; game at waterholes)
Wildlife & Ecology
Deciduous thicket and open woodland are adapted to a hot, dry climate. Nyala, kudu, bushbuck and smaller antelope congregate at artificial water points, though wildlife can be difficult to see once vegetation thickens.
Best Time to Visit
July to October is dry and best for hide viewing, though heat becomes intense late in the season. The rains green the park and improve birding but make mammals harder to locate.
Activities
Walking and prolonged observation from hides are the most useful additions to self-drive viewing.
How to Get There
Lengwe is about two hours south of Blantyre by paved road, close to Chikwawa and readily combined with Majete. Internal roads are simple but can be muddy in the rains.