Mvuu Lodge

Mvuu Lodge overlooks a tranquil lagoon just off the Shire River with the main lounge area set high above the water in an area of captivating variety and beauty. It has an extensive wildlife library and telescope to make the most of the exceptional bird and other life that moves around the river. Mvuu means “hippo” in Tonga and the name epitomizes the large numbers of pods of these water-loving mammals that float in the river. In this lush and fertile area, an excellent diversity of animals can be seen.

Accommodation comprises eight luxury tents, one of which is a romantic honeymoon suite. Each tent has en-suite bathroom facilities and its own deck built to look over the water. Lodge facilities include a dining room, pub, lounge area and a swimming pool. 

Activities include boat safaris, nature walks, treks & trails, birding, and traditional game drives by day and night. No visit to Mvuu is complete without a visit to one of the villages on its boundaries to experience authentic African village life.

Mvuu Lodge - Standard Tents

There are eight standard tents which consist of seven twin bedded tents and one honey moon tent with a double bed and bath.

Shire River Trail

This trail which covers an approximate distance of 30km over the course of two and a half days, offers many interesting features and sights and hikers can expect to see a variety of the park’s resident species. The distance may vary depending on game movements and local conditions. The terrain is occasionally challenging and as this is essentially a bush walk, it will involve constant stopping to learn about tracks, habitats, birds and wildlife.

Day and night game drives

These game drives are a great way to explore Liwonde National Park and experience its diverse selection of habitats and wildlife. During the day visit the sanctuary and the surrounding area to see sable, kudu, eland, zebra, waterbuck, impala, warthog, rhino and elephant. Enjoy 'sundowners' on the banks of the beautiful Shire River while watching kingfishers diving for fish, before embarking on a night drive to discover hyaena, owls, civets, genets, and various species of mongoose.

Boat Safaris

Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Shire River while on one of Central African Wilderness Safaris’ river cruises. Intimate encounters with elephant are a hallmark of this fantastic experience which enables you to get very close to these huge, majestic animals. Sip sundowners while listening to the snorts and bellows emanating from the many hippo pods scattered along the banks of the river, before witnessing striking sunsets over the river.

Hide visit

Get closer to the wildlife of Liwonde National Park with a visit to Mvuu's water level wildlife hide. Watch as a variety of antelope, elephants and other species come to the waterhole to drink, just meters in front of you.

Nanthomba School visit

Take a boat across the river, jump on a bike, and cycle 30 minutes to Nanthomba School. Experience first hand the pressures faced by both local people and Liwondes fragile ecosystems, as you cycle through villages situated along the parks boundaries. Once at Nanthomba School be inspired by the teachers and students of this incredible community project, and learn how NGO's such as HELP Malawi and Children in the Wilderness are helping to transform local communities and alleviate poverty by providing quality education to the children of rural Malawi.

Guided bush walk

Discover the intricate relationships between animals and their habitats with a guided bush walk. Find out more about insects and other smaller inhabitants of the park, while learning about trees and plants, their medicinal properties and how they are used by local communities. This walk enables you to venture off the beaten track and observe Liwonde’s diversity of wildlife with minimal disturbances.

Birding

Liwonde National Park offers some of the best birding in Malawi. With over 400 species of bird listed within the park, Liwonde is a birders paradise, with an incredible variety of migrants arriving during rainy season. Specials include Brown-breasted Barbet, Böhm's Bee-eater, African skimmer and Livingstone's fly-catcher. Birding is incorporated into the daily game activities.

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