Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Nkhotakota
National
Park
1800
sq km
Miombo
forest, bush; nyalas,
warthogs, buffaloes, elephants, leo-
pards, crocodiles
Croc & elephant spotting, bird-
watching, kayaking, fishing
Jul-Nov, Dec-Jan for
birdwatching
Liwonde Na-
tional Park
580
sq km
Marshes, mopane woodland; ele-
phants, rhinos, hippos, crocodile-
filled Shire River
Wildlife drives, walking safaris,
boat safaris, birdwatching, rhino
sanctuary
Sep-Dec
Nyika Na-
tional Park
3200
sq km
Sweeping highland grasslands; ante-
lopes, zebras, leopards, hyenas, ele-
phants
Hiking, cycling, trekking, bird-
watching
Sep-Oct for mam-
mals, Oct-Apr for
birds
Vwaza
Marsh Wild-
life Reserve
1000
sq km
Wetlands; buffaloes, elephants, hip-
pos, antelopes, crocodiles
Wildlife walks & drives
Jun-Nov for mam-
mals, year-round for
birdwatching
Environmental Issues
Environmental issues for Malawi include population growth, air and water degradation,
industrial pollution, deforestation, soil erosion, urban encroachment, habitat and wildlife
destruction and the conservation of resources.
Malawi's population is growing rapidly, putting ever-increasing demands on the land
and other natural resources - the vast majority of Malawians live without electricity and
therefore the use of wood as a source of fuel in Malawi is very high. It's estimated that
30% of the country's forests have disappeared over the past 10 years, with over 500 sq km
being cleared each year, mostly for fuel. Although some replanting is taking place, at the
current rate the woodlands and forests will eventually disappear.
Another environmental challenge faced by Malawi is overfishing. Population growth
has increased the demand for fish to an extent that stocks are now taken from the lake at
an unsustainable level. An initiative launched by the government in early 2009 and funded
by the African Development Bank hopes to discourage fishermen from fishing in shallow
waters - the breeding ground where many fish lay their eggs - by providing them with the
necessary equipment to fish in deeper waters.
To learn more about environmental issues facing Malawi, or to find out about volun-
teering opportunities, get in touch with
Project African Wilderness
( 01-11945455,
0884-024925;
www.projectafricanwilderness.org
)
, the
Wildlife Action Group of
Malawi
(
www.wag-malawi.org
)
or
Ripple Africa
(
www.rippleafrica.org
)
.
