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.
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.
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.
Weather & Climate near Kasungu National Park #
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.
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.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (194 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (129 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 13°C. Almost no rain.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 10°C. Almost no rain.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is the coolest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 9°C. Almost no rain.
Comfort
Weather
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.
Comfort
Weather
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.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 17°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (186 mm) and mostly overcast skies.