Kasungu National Park

Kasungu National Park, located west of Central Malawi and bordering Zambia, is one of East Africa's more off-the-beaten-path nature reserves. The area is a mosaic of swaying savannah and bush, sporadic miombo woodland, and dusty plains, encompassing a whopping 2,100 square kilometers of land where the rolling plateaus of western Malawi give way to the borderlands with Zambia.

Kasungu was once known for its thriving population of African elephants, but in recent decades it has been plagued by severe poaching problems. However, a slew of lodges around Lifupa's lake waters have helped raise the ecotourism profile, and safari travel here is nearly back on track.

This is a park that is relatively easy to navigate. Lifupa has a lodge as well as good camping nearby. Kasungui is only about 100 miles/160 kilometers away from Lilongwe.

• Entrance fees:
  • International Visitors: USD $10
  • International Residents: USD $7
  • Malawians: USD $1
  • Accompanied Children under 12: Free
• Offers: Private Vehicles: USD $3 to USD $15
• Opening time: early - 18.00 daily
• Best Time to Visit: July to October
• Location: Kasungu, Malawi