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37-726: Liwonde National Park is in the Southern Region of Malawi, just south of Lake Malawi , near the Mozambique border. It lies largely within the Machinga District , but also is in the Mangochi District . The Balaka District lies along its western border. The reserve covers 548 square kilometres (212 sq mi) of woodlands and dry savannah . A 30 km section of the Shire River runs through

74-558: A 129-kilometre (80 mi) perimeter, which was unfenced until the nonprofit organization African Parks confirmed plans to construct a fully fenced border in 2015, which has since been completed. The Mangochi Forest Reserve forms part of a proposed ecoregion , to be called the South East Africa Montane Archipelago (SEAMA). Liwonde was established in 1973. When the park was gazetted, many inhabitants were forced to relocate to border communities outside

111-530: A further 34 elephants from Liwonde to Nyika National Park . The $ 1.6 million project was funded by Nationale Postcode Loterij and the Wyss Foundation, among other donors. Another relocation occurred in July 2022, when 250 elephants were moved to Kasungu National Park . In 1993, a pair of black rhinoceros were moved from South Africa into a 15-square-kilometre (5.8 sq mi) fenced sanctuary within

148-537: A much drier landscape seasonally. This is dominated by Brachystegia woodland and Protea scrub at the interzone between the grassland and the woodlands. To travel into these zones you will need to be fully equipped for camping and take a local guide with you. It is very easy to get lost and leaving the marked roads is not recommended without local support The plateau itself is recommended for trekking and mountain biking, as well as more conventional 4x4 excursions. The montane vegetation attracts large numbers of antelope from

185-431: A number of species of smaller mammals such as warthogs and bushpigs , the smaller cats and porcupine. Elephants are often seen anywhere on the plateau but buffalo are rare or probably extinct now. Hoof prints associated with them in the north of the park probably represent wandering domestic cattle from Uledi. Lions and elephants have recently been seen on the high plateau. Over 400 species of bird have been recorded in

222-516: A private property in Kasungu, bringing the population to about 25. In July 2020, a pack of eight African wild dogs was reintroduced in the park, following decades since their local extinction. The pack adapted well to its new environment; and six weeks after their relocation, the first litter of pups was confirmed to be born. Tragically, in November 2022, all members of the pack were killed due to

259-489: A rhinoceros calf had to be saved from a wire snare trap. Park officials have used an aircraft to steer elephants back into the park from neighboring areas, and patrol the park's waters by boat to reduce illegal fishing . In September 2015, park officials confirmed the deaths of three poachers inside, and four people outside the park as the result of crocodile and elephant attacks. The incidents occurred within seven weeks of one another. African Parks' chief executive officer called

296-616: A sister property called Mvuu Camp . Boat safaris provide guests with opportunities to view wildlife. The lodge and camp has 56 beds as well as camp sites. African Bat Conservation conducted research in Liwonde in 2014 and worked with the park on the National Bat Monitoring Programme, which evaluates the diversity and size of bat populations, until 2016. Carnivore Research Malawi worked with the park to evaluate carnivore density and distribution, particularly for

333-529: Is an area of Malawi. It covers an area of 31,753 km . Its capital city is Blantyre . In 2018, its population was 7,750,629. Of the 28 districts in Malawi, 13 are located within the Southern Region. They are: Balaka , Blantyre , Chikwawa , Chiradzulu , Machinga , Mangochi , Mulanje , Mwanza , Neno , Nsanje , Phalombe , Thyolo , and Zomba . At the time of the 2018 Census of Malawi ,

370-516: Is by a single dirt road which branches north off the road from Rumphi to the Katumbi border post, and winds its way up the south-western scarp of the plateau, continues over the top, where it forms the border with Zambia, then descends the north-west scarp in a series of bends, and continues north to the Chisenga border post. On the top of the plateau, a spur goes east to Chelinda, the headquarters of

407-417: Is mixed evidence that the economic benefits of the park have a great impact beyond the park boundaries. The park has many characteristics of an enclave resort, but there are small enterprises such as Makanga Women's Group and Njobvu Cultural Village Lodge which market goods and services to park tourists. Before the building of a fence, people living near the park argued in support of its construction, saying that

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444-480: Is no other road, Zambians can only reach it via Malawi. The Zambian park includes a colonial-era resthouse with splendid views west. Once it was the only accommodation in either park, in those days people from Malawi staying there did not have to pass through any border formalities, but paid a "Zambia entrance fee" along with their accommodation bill. The rest house closed in 1998. Proposals to re-open it did not progress and it currently (2015) remains derelict. This site

481-624: Is perched against Chinguni Hill. The camp features classic safari tents, private verandahs, outdoor bathrooms, and stunning views of the Shire river. Mvuu Lodge ("mvuu" means "hippopotamus" in Chewa ), located on the banks of the Shire River. The lodge, established in 1995, is operated by Central Africa Wilderness Safaris, a company known for its sustainable practices and willingness to support local communities and conservation efforts. Mvuu Lodge has

518-477: Is the only location in Malawi where Lilian's lovebird and the brown-breasted barbet are found. According to African Parks, there are at least six different species of vultures in Liwonde, four of which are critically endangered. In 2011, Birdlife International and the Good Gifts Catalogue raised funds to survey and monitor the threatened Lilian's lovebird. Park rangers and local students worked with

555-699: The spotted hyena population, until 2016. In 2021, the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust assumed responsibility for the monitoring of a number of species in Liwonde National Park on behalf of African Parks. Their programme focuses on the reintroduced carnivores, plus a range of ecologically and nationally important species. Lilongwe Wildlife Trust also run a research volunteer placement programme in Liwonde National Park focussing on iconic species such as lion, cheetahs, and hyena. Southern Region, Malawi The Southern Region of Malawi

592-505: The Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi to research Lilian's lovebirds in 2012. There have been repeated requests to allow birds in the park to be captured for trade, especially Lilian's lovebird, but these have thus far been denied. Interactions between people and wild animals in and around the park has resulted in significant human–wildlife conflict, particularly with elephants. In 2015, poachers killed at least two elephants, and

629-472: The animals were damaging their crops. Proposals have been made by the Malawi Minister of Finance for revenue generated by the park to be divided between the park and local communities, although implementation was delayed. There are three lodges within the boundaries of Liwonde National Park; Chimwala Bush Camp, Kutengo Camp, and Mvuu Lodge. Chimwala Bush Camp is owned and managed by African Parks and

666-442: The attacks "almost unprecedented", but also said conflicts between animals and people were one reason the Malawi government invited the organization to manage the park. Since African Parks assumed management of the park in 2015, incidences of human-wildlife conflict have greatly reduced. Fifty elephants and two rhinoceros in Liwonde were killed by poachers between 2014 and 2017, and rangers recovered between 18,000 and 23,000 snares in

703-705: The brand new log cabin lodge provide excellent accommodation and facilities. There is an airstrip for fly-in safaris . The lower-lying Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve is close to the Nyika National Park and can be accessed off the Rumphi Road on arrival or departure to the Nyika entrance gate at Thazima. The land west of the plateau road as it traverses the top is in Zambia, which also calls its portion Nyika National Park , comprising just 80 km . As there

740-526: The diminutive Common duiker to eland and roan . Zebra are common near Chelinda and the highest part of the plateau. The park is said to have one of the highest densities of leopards in Central Africa but this has not been supported by any scientific survey in the past 20 years and all mammals suffer changes in populations which can be rapid. Being mainly nocturnal they are rarely seen, although tracks and signs have been regularly found. There are

777-539: The distribution of the population of the Southern Region by ethnic group was as follows: This Malawi location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Nyika National Park Nyika National Park is Malawi ’s largest national park , with an area of 3200 km (1250 mile ). The park covers practically the whole of the Nyika Plateau in northern Malawi, about 480 km north of Lilongwe and 60 km north of Rumphi by road. Access

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814-475: The endangered sable antelope , and waterbuck ), baboons , black rhinoceros , bushbuck , elephants , hippopotamus , impala , kudu , monkeys , and warthogs . The park is home to dozens of other grazing mammal species, as well as crocodiles . Liwonde has been very active in conservation efforts and animal relocation programs. Since 1990, elephants, black rhinoceros, elands, impalas, kudu, sables, warthogs, waterbuck, and zebra have been relocated to or from

851-408: The first large predators to be reintroduced to the park, after being absent from this part of the country for around a century. Endangered Wildlife Trust 's Cheetah Metapopulation Project and DNPW assisted with the relocation. Since 2017, the cheetah population has increased to 21 individuals. Liwonde park officials had hoped to introduce female lions in 2012. The last reported sighting of a male lion

888-462: The intentional poisoning of a waterhole within the park itself. Biome-restricted bird species in the park include: white-starred robin , brown-headed parrot , brown-breasted barbet , pale batis , Dickinson's kestrel , Lilian's lovebird , Böhm's bee-eater , racket-tailed roller , pale-billed hornbill , Kurrichane thrush , Arnot's chat , white-bellied sunbird , black-eared seedeater , broad-tailed paradise whydah , Meves's starling . The park

925-518: The morning and sometimes all day. The persistent moisture brings over 200 types of orchid into flower. The grasslands of Nyika are rich in wildflowers all through the year but especially from January to April during the rains. Most people experience the Nyika by staying on or driving over the plateau itself but this represents only around one third of the National Park. The escarpments and northern hill areas descend to lower altitude and feature

962-468: The park from 2015 to 2017. African Parks has made over 100 arrests and installed 120 km of electric fencing in an effort to reduce conflict and poaching. Mopane is the most common large plant species in the park. The epiphytic orchid , Microcoelia ornithocephala is nearly endemic to the park, also being recorded on nearby Sambani Hill. Other plants in the park include: acacias , miombo , Albizia harveyi , Adansonia digitata , reedbeds along

999-655: The park including a section of the shore of Lake Malombe , 20 km south of Lake Malawi . A section was added in 1977 on the northern edge of the park which connects it with Mangochi Forest Reserve. Liwonde National Park, and the contiguous Mangochi Forest Reserve, are managed by African Parks in collaboration with local communities represented by the Upper Shire Association for the Conservation of Liwonde National Park (USACOL) and 31 Village Natural Resources Committees surrounding Liwonde. Liwonde has

1036-462: The park nearer the centre. Although the park boundary comes within 35 km of Livingstonia there is no access from the eastern side. The name Nyika means "where the water comes from" as the plateau's elevation makes it wetter than surrounding areas. Other suggested meanings are "wilderness" and "short grassland". The top is frequently in cloud, both in the rainy season and in the cold dry season when dense fogs, called Chiperoni , may persist well into

1073-744: The park's conservation. The project, which reportedly lasted from April to December, was managed by USACOL and CBNRM, both of which are part of the Coordination Union for the Rehabilitation of the Environment. According to CBNRM's national coordinator, the project encouraged local communities to "participate in the conservation and management of natural resources". Liwonde has a population of approximately 17,800 large mammals, and hosts more than 380 bird species. Large mammals include African buffalo , antelope (including Common eland ,

1110-521: The park's fence was a top priority for the organization, in order to reduce human–wildlife conflict by keeping animals within Liwonde's boundaries and to reduce poaching. This fence is monitored 24/7 to ensure animals stay in and poachers stay out Fencing the park cost US$ 1.6 million and took approximately 18 months to complete. In 2015, USACOL contributed K8.3 million from the United Nations Development Programme for

1147-660: The park, a project funded by J&B London and J&B Circle of Malawi (now called the Endangered Species of Malawi). The first calf was born to the pair in 1996 and a second pair was introduced into a second sanctuary in 1998. In 1999, a second calf was born. The Liwonde Rhino Sanctuaries led to the growth of a number of other species, particularly buffalo, eland, Lichtenstein's hartebeest , roan antelope, zebra, and sable antelope, allowing for animals of those species to be moved to other parks, particularly Kasungu National Park . The fence surrounding these two sanctuaries

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1184-541: The park, which has resulted in villages in the periphery of the park having relatively high population density compared to the rest of the country. Before the park was created, the land was used for agriculture, largely subsistence. Cotton, maize, tobacco, and rice were the main crops and fishing was another important industry. African Parks took over management of Liwonde in August 2015, after being enlisted by Malawi's Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW). Rebuilding

1221-494: The park. In 2020, an aerial survey estimated there were approximately 600 elephants, 1,300 buffalo, 1,000 sable, 6,600 waterbuck, and 2,500 hippopotamus. The park is known for elephant viewing and conservation efforts. African Parks helped park officials relocate 70 elephants from Liwonde and Mangochi to Majete Wildlife Reserve in 2008. During June–August 2016 and 2017, African Parks relocated approximately 500 elephants from Liwonde and Majete to Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve , and

1258-466: The park. The rare Denham’s bustard and the wattled crane are among those to be seen, as is the red-winged francolin - endemic to Nyika. Other attractions include waterfalls, the most impressive being Chisanga Falls where the North Rukuru river falls off the plateau to Thalire District, neolithic rock shelter, trout pools and even a "magic lake". The recently refurbished Chelinda Camp and

1295-416: The rivers, evergreen forests fringing tributaries, Acacia xanthophloea (fever tree), Borassus (Palmyra palm), capers , Hyphaene coriacea (lala palm), and Kigelia (sausage trees). Tourism makes up approximately 97% of the total revenue generated by the park, with 58% of that coming from concession fees from the private lodges in the park. The nearest township to the park is Liwonde , and there

1332-551: Was in 2015. Park officials still planned to reintroduce lions and leopards , as of 2017. In early 2018, African Parks reintroduced 9 lions into Liwonde. The DNPW, the Dutch Government, and the Lion Recovery Fund assisted with the relocation. The lion population has since adjusted well, and the first cub was born in 2020. In an effort to boost the park's hyena numbers, six individuals were reintroduced from

1369-587: Was removed in 2000, opening the rest of the park to these and other animals which were living in the sanctuaries, and the rhinoceros conservation effort within the park continues. In November 2019, 17 black rhinos were transported from South Africa to the park. The translocation was carried out by African Parks, in conjunction with WWF South Africa, the DNPW, and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife . In May 2017, African Parks relocated seven cheetahs from South Africa, becoming Malawi's first wild cheetahs in twenty years. These were

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