Kasungu National Park

National Park Malawi park protecting miombo woodland and wildlife

One of Malawi’s larger parks, Kasungu National Park offers game drives, walking safaris and birdwatching across woodland and grassland habitats.

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Kasungu National Park is a protected area in Malawi’s Central Region that conserves miombo woodland and savannah landscapes. The park provides habitat for elephants, antelopes and a variety of bird species.

Visitors come for game drives, birdwatching and remote safari experiences; facilities are limited and the park is less developed than major southern African reserves. Wildlife sightings include large herbivores and associated predators in seasonally variable concentrations.

The park was created to protect wildlife and remaining natural woodland in the central plateau of Malawi and is managed by Malawi’s wildlife authority. Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection and anti-poaching.

Geographically the park sits in Malawi’s Central Region, inland from Lake Malawi and within driving distance of Malawi’s population centres; it occupies a mix of plateau and riverine terrain.

  • Wildlife: Supports miombo woodland and savannah habitats and is home to elephant, various antelope species and a range of birds, making it a noted wildlife area in central Malawi.
  • Visitor notes: Visited as a less-developed safari option with basic accommodation and guided drives rather than high-volume tourist infrastructure.
Kasungu National Park
-13.0000, 33.1667

How to Get to Kasungu National Park #

Kasungu National Park is about 110 km north of Lilongwe by road along the M1. The usual approach is via car or organized transfer from Lilongwe (roughly a 2-3 hour drive). The park headquarters is close to the M1 and serves as the starting point for trails and accommodations.

Tips for Visiting Kasungu National Park #

  • Drive the main M1 route to Kasungu and use the park headquarters as the starting point for trails; local guides are inexpensive and knowledgeable about elephant corridors.
  • Visit the botanical walk early morning to catch sun striking the miombo trees and to see bushbucks and vervet monkeys before mid-day heat.
  • Avoid late afternoon alone on unmarked tracks - elephants frequent the park and their movement is unpredictable.

Best Time to Visit Kasungu National Park #

Best in the dry months (May-October) for game viewing and road access; wet season rewards birders but complicates logistics.

Dry season (May-October)
May-October · 15-28°C (59-82°F)
Easier wildlife viewing as animals crowd near waterholes; roads dry and accessible.
Wet season (November-April)
November-April · 20-32°C (68-90°F)
Lush vegetation and bird activity increase, but road access may be limited and mosquitoes are abundant.
Cool season (June-August)
June-August · 10-22°C (50-72°F)
Mornings are crisp; comfortable hiking weather and good visibility for game drives.

Weather & Climate near Kasungu National Park #

Climate

Kasungu National Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with warm summers (peaking in October) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 9°C to 31°C. Moderate rainfall (833 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 59 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
SeptemberOctoberAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
38°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (211 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
18° 27°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

211 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.7h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (194 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

67 Good

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
18° 27°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

194 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
12.4h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (129 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

69 Good

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
17° 27°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

129 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.1h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

87 Excellent

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
16° 27°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

34 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
11.7h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 13°C. Almost no rain.

91 Ideal

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 26°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

7 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.4h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 10°C. Almost no rain.

91 Ideal

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
10° 24°
70%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
11.2h daylight

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 9°C. Almost no rain.

92 Ideal

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
24°
65%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
11.3h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 11°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
11° 26°
56%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.6h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 14°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.

96 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
14° 29°
49%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
11.9h daylight

October

October is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 17°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

96 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
17° 31°
48%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

8 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
12.3h daylight

November

November is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
18° 30°
55%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
12.6h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (186 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

67 Good

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
18° 28°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

186 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
12.8h daylight

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