Tucked away on the banks of a lagoon just off of the Shire River on the western boundary of the wildlife-abundant Liwonde National Park is Mvuu (‘Hippo’) Lodge. The main lounge building is elevated high above the water, for extensive vistas up the river. The lodge offers eight tents that each come with their own bathroom facilities and private viewing deck that overlooks the lagoon. Lodge facilities include a dining room, pub, lounge area, wildlife library, and swimming pool.

Liwonde National Park, the crown jewel of Malawi, straddles the stunning Shire River and its floodplains. The park contains a remarkably prolific wildlife population that includes big numbers of elephant, reedbuck, waterbuck and sable, with a rich concentration of hippo in the river. Buffalo, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, zebra, roan, eland and rare black rhino have been introduced into ‘The Sanctuary’, a 4,000 hectare fenced area within Liwonde. The birdlife is abundant here, with more than 300 of the country’s 650 bird species residing in the Park.

Mvuu Lodge provides a broad variety of activities in Liwonde National Park, and is considered the most fertile wildlife region in Malawi. Exquisite river cruises allow guests to admire the beauty that is the Shire River, as well as provide fantastic close-up encounters with hippo, bathing elephant, crocodile, and an array of vibrant birdlife. Morning and afternoon nature walks through the camp and its surrounding areas, accompanied by an expert guide, are wonderful. These walks give you a chance to experience nature up close, and whilst exploring the region on foot, you might even spot porcupine, Dickinson’s kestrel, or curious impala.

Named after Chief Liwonde who was the protector of the area, the Liwonde National Park hosts incredibly diverse landscapes. Spend time traversing the region while searching for these, as well as the equally diverse wildlife. Following a delicious sundowner, stop at a picturesque location where you will have the chance to head back to camp and prepare to embark on a fascinating night drive, during which an entirely different side of nature comes to life.

Another way to spend your days here is to pay a visit to the Rhino Sanctuary within the Park. The Sanctuary focuses on the conservation of the endangered black rhino, but also contains a range of other animals and bird species. Liwonde National Park provides some of the finest birding in Malawi, with specials including brown-breasted barbet, Böhm’s bee-eater, African skimmer and Livingstone’s flycatcher, to name a few.

Approximately 500 people that reside outside of the Park benefit financially from the existence of Mvuu Lodge and Camp. Nanthombo School which was neglected and run-down, has also been transformed into a well-run school for over 400 children. The construction of the school is the brainchild of motivated Mvuu employees and is generously financed by an inspired guest of Mvuu.

Activities:

* River safaris

* Nature walks

* Game drives

* Night drives

* Game drives into the Rhino Sanctuary

* Birding