| Lengwe National Park ((in)Lengwe National Park) | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Country |  Malawi |
|---|---|
| IUCN Category | II (National Park) |
| Area | 887 km² |
| Location | |
 16 ° 15 ′ 28 ″ S 34 ° 45 ′ 5 ″ E | |
Lengwe National Park is a national park of Malawi located in the lower Shire Valley near Nchalo in the southern Malawi. The park covers an area of 887 km2 and extends to the Mozambique border in the west but due to heavy poaching the majority of animals are found in the small eastern part of the park.
Understand
Topography
Lengwe's topography is unusual for Malawi and consists of open deciduous forests and dense thickets.
Wildlife
The park is home to the northernmost population of the Nyala antelope. The list of other animals commonly seen are monkeys and baboons, bushbuck, duikers, impalas and Cape river hogs. There are also buffaloes, kudu, leopards, and hyenas in the park, but they tend to be a bit harder to spot.
There are more than 300 species of birds recorded in the park including the hornbill, the bee-eater of the Boehm.
Weather
Lengwe's climate is hot and dry, and the only source of water is rain. Many man-made water holes have been built to attract and maintain animal populations. The best time to visit is during the dry season, when the vegetation is less dense, which makes spotting animals much easier.
To go
By car
The entrance to the park is located at 7 km from the M1 road Blantyre-Nsanje between the localities of Chikwawa-Nchalo. A sign indicates the junction of the entrance to the park on the M1 road. It takes about 1 h drive from Blantyre and 20 min from Nchalo.
By minibus
All minibuses traveling between Chikwawa and Nchalo on the M1 will drop you off at the junction of the M1 which goes to the park. It is then possible to browse the 7 km to the entrance on foot. It is forbidden to circulate in the park without an armed guard. You must therefore ask the Nyala lodge to come and pick you up.
Circulate
Only the eastern part is accessible to tourists via an extensive road network. It is allowed to drive your own vehicle in the park but it is recommended to use a 4x4 vehicle. Tours with a qualified guide are also possible by car and on foot. Entrance costs 10 $ per person per day. Entrance with own vehicle costs 5 $ per person per day.
To see
- Ndakwera – Village just outside the park
- Tisunge Heritage Center – Small museum with library and local craft store.
Do
To buy
Eat
At Nyala Lodge.
Have a drink / Go out
At Nyala Lodge.
Housing
- 1 Nyala Lodge ,
265 1 429 201 
86 $ in a chalet, 24 $ in a small triangular chalet with shared sanitary facilities and 7 $ camping per person per night. – The Nyala Lodge is the only possible accommodation in the park.
Around
- 1 Nchalo (To 22 km from the park entrance.) – Sugar production center.
