Safari park

Can you see them?? Elephants! Or as Iris says "Ents!"

Kitchen at Liwonde Safari Camp

Beautiful Liwonde

One of many warthogs

I set my own personal record for minibus travel on the road to Liwonde National Park: nine people, an enormous bucket and three packed bags in three seats. Then we took a bike taxi ride for the last miles, much of which was dirt ruts. Let’s just say the 140 lb Malawian who peddled Mark, Grant and bag earned his taxi money.

Liwonde National Park is home to elephants, monkeys galore, hippos, numerous deer varieties, crocodiles, warthogs and lots of baobob trees. We stayed at Liwonde Safari Camp, a spot which was recently carved out of the jungle along the edge of the park. For $20 a night, we got the dormitory to ourselves (yeah, off season), and lots of attention from the rather bored staff.

The owner took us on a trip through the rustic park, where we encountered all kinds of wonderful wildlife. We didn’t get as close to the elephants as we’d hoped (half a football field, maybe), but it was pretty awesome. We’re going to try to get in another trip at the end of the month in hopes of catching a boat tour this time.

It was beautiful, and the evenings were incredible with delicious meals served by candlelight. We could hear hippos rummaging outside throughout the night, and monkeys cackling at all hours. Late one evening, we went on a candlelit hippo hunt through camp. We never did find one, but we certainly scared ourselves silly in the effort.