​Wildlife & Animals – Malawi

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Malawi.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Malawi.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Malawi.

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Malawi.

Although Malawi is not a prime wildlife destination, conservation is improving and wildlife numbers are increasing. Rhino was extinct in the country, but has been reintroduced into Liwonde and Majete, making Malawi a Big Five destination. Nyika has a high concentration of leopards, but overall big cats aren’t that easy to see. Elephants are common throughout and giraffe were recently introduced to Majete.

Abundant
Common
Occasional
Rare
None
ElephantCommon
GiraffeVery Rare
HippoAbundant
BuffaloCommon
ZebraCommon
Black RhinoVery Rare
LionRare
LeopardOccasional
HyenaOccasional
Wild DogVery Rare

Wildlife Highlights

Malawi has a great variety of antelope, and some species considered quite rare in other countries are remarkably easy to spot. Roan antelope is the most common large antelope on Nyika Plateau. The graceful sable antelope is particularly common in Liwonde and although harder to find, it occurs in all other national parks as well. Other interesting antelope species include klipspringer and puku.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The best wildlife viewing time coincides with the Dry season (May to October) when water is scarce and animals congregate around waterholes and rivers. The bush is less dense at this time, and animals are easier to spot. From October until the rains, it can be very hot. Some roads might become impassable during the Wet season (November to April).

Wildlife Rating

Wildlife Rating per Major Park

Recommended Wildlife Books

  • Stuarts' Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa
    Chris Stuart and Mathilde Stuart
  • Stuarts' African Mammals (app)
    Chris Stuart and Mathilde Stuart
  • The Kingdon Pocket Guide to African Mammals (book and app)
    Jonathan Kingdon
  • The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals
    Richard D. Estes
  • Tracker Manual: A Practical Guide to Animal Tracking in Southern Africa
    Alex van den Heever, Renias Mhlongo and Karel Benadie

Wildlife Photos

Want To Visit Malawi?

17 Malawi Safaris

Wildlife Rating

Wildlife Photos

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