Discover Kasungu

If you’re looking for a hotel in Kasungu, the nearby Kasungu National Park can be a regional point of reference when planning your trip. The protected area lies west of the town of Kasungu. Its landscapes, wildlife and historic sites offer different points of interest: you can consider whether you’re particularly interested in scenery, wildlife watching or history.

Forests, savannah and waterways

Kasungu National Park was established in 1970 and covers 2,316 square kilometres. It is located on the Central African Plateau in Kasungu District. The park protects Miombo, or Brachystegia, woodlands as well as open, grass-covered dambo drainage systems. Miombo, or Brachystegia, refers to the woodland landscape; dambos are open drainage systems. This helps distinguish the park’s different landscape features. It is considered a wilderness area representative of the South African savannah and is part of the Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Areas.

The park, which lies west of the town, contains a small lake and a wide, marshy river. Woodland, open grassland and waterways each contribute to the landscape. The Lifupa Dam and flowing waters are also home to several fish species from the barbs and redbreast tilapias groups.

Wildlife and game drives

Animals visitors may see in the park include elephants, hippos and buffalo, as well as greater kudus, hartebeests, sable antelopes, impalas, pukus, bushbucks, duikers, zebras and roan antelopes. Lions, leopards, civets, servals, genets and bushbabies may also be spotted. Game drives are available as an activity in the park. Check whether they are running on your preferred dates before planning your visit.

Prehistoric sites and cultural heritage

Kasungu National Park, west of the town, contains prehistoric sites, including rock paintings and the remains of a fortified village. The rock art and settlement remains represent different kinds of prehistoric evidence.

Kasungu District is also home to Malawi’s only surviving original traditional iron-smelting site, located in Kasungu National Park. It is intact and well preserved. This is a different historical point of interest from the prehistoric sites: here, the focus is on traditional iron smelting.

Wang’ombe Rumen is one of the notable tourist attractions in the Kasungu destination area. The inselberg group lies near the western boundary of Kasungu National Park.

Planning in the regional context

A government development plan from 2022 identifies Lisitu Gate on the southeastern boundary of Kasungu National Park as the only entrance for motor vehicles. It names the unpaved D187 road as the route from Kasungu Boma. Check current road and gate conditions before setting out.

You can compare the region’s points of interest to choose what suits you: game drives and possible wildlife sightings offer a nature focus, while the rock paintings, village remains and iron-smelting site offer a historical perspective. Wang’ombe Rumen adds a scenic dimension.

Discover more destinations: Ntcheu, Senga.

For the broader travel overview: Central Region.