Kuthengo Camp (Liwonde National Park)

Kuthengo Camp is on a large open plain stretching towards the Shire River in Liwonde National Park, Malawi. Nestled among fever trees and baobabs. Kuthengo maintains a rustic charm, complemented by stunning views which are best appreciated from your private deck with a cold sundowner in hand. Admiring the herds of waterbuck that frequent the camp area, milling about in the evening glow. You may be quite isolated from the outside world, but you’ll have everything you need. From a pool to indoor & outdoor dining, a cozy bar and an open air fire pit.

The camp runs off solar power with a backup generator for cloudy days. The plugs (three square pin) here may only be used for lamps and charging equipment for mobile phones or cameras. Hairdryers cannot be used. There is WiFi in the rooms.

Skip to Kuthengo Camp Rates or Specials and Packages

Kuthengo Camp Accommodation

5 x modern safari tents which are all en-suite. Each with a bathtub and an outdoor shower. The eco-friendly evening breeze air conditioning*, adds to the comforts of this intimate camp.

*state of the art and environment friendly cooling system for the bed within the mosquito net. It cools the air within your mosquito net and not the entire room.

Two of the tents are joined together to form the Family Tent with a shared bathroom and toilet facilities (a bathtub and an outdoor shower). It can comfortably accommodate 4 people.

Liwonde National Park

Liwonde National Park is relatively small. It lies to the south of Lake Malawi on the Shire River, which flows into the Zambezi River. Due to its proximity to both the capital Blantyre and Cape Maclear, Liwonde National Park is one of the most visited parks in Malawi. But its not only its convenient location that makes this park worth visiting. The park is a great place to go on unforgettable safaris and see the most beautiful animals! Think for example of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, rhinos, lions, cheetah, various antelopes and more. Plus an impressive variety of birds.

A visit to Liwonde National Park is a must during your visit to Malawi.

Kuthengo Camp Activities

Game Drives

Day or night game drives are offered with a “window” seat for everyone. All the vehicles have an open top. This allows you total 360 degree view (great for birding). During the raining season (March/April) game drives are limited and will be dependant on the weather conditions. A vehicle with a canopy can be requested but is subject to availability.

Boating Safari

Kuthengo Camp offers exciting boat safaris all year round. Enjoy game viewing and birding from the river. This gives another angle to the safari experience. It’s an incredible way to experience Liwonde National Park.

Walking Safari

Discover the wonder of Liwonde National Park on foot with an expertly guided walking safaris. The walks are led by a very knowledgeable guide, and escorted by an armed National Park scout. Feel at one with nature and get closer to the action, see the details and signs that the animals leave behind.

Birding Safari

Liwonde is a wetland area and therefore a fine habitat for an incredible number of birds. The park is home to no less than around 400 different species of birds. During your trip to Liwonde, you can enjoy the most beautiful birds, such as Pel’s fishing owls, palm-nut vultures, ospreys and Lilian’s love birds. Many birds make their nests in the bushes along the waterfront. But also, at higher altitudes many birds live, like the African fish eagle.

Climate and when to visit

The Emerald Season (January–March) is a time of regrowth, with breeding birds, newborn wildlife, and mostly nighttime rainfall. April and May bring clear, warm days, occasional storms, lush green grass, and migrating birds departing. June to August is the dry winter season with cool nights, warm days, and easier game viewing as the grass dies back. From September to December, temperatures rise, rains begin, new growth emerges, and newborn animals appear. Accompanied by brief insect bursts and humid conditions.

The different seasons offer us incredible diversity in terms of landscapes, wildlife sightings and experiences. We have put together some of these highlights for you to consider as you plan your African adventure with us. Be inspired!

January: Lower rates | Beautiful lush scenery | Baby boom in animal kingdom | No crowds

Closes 9th January.
Emerald season.
There is an explosion of new life during this time of the year with babies been born as well as fantastic birding as migratory birds return making for some special sightings.
This time of year there is a lot of rain and temperatures as well as humidity are high. The rains turn the park into a lush, green wilderness.

February

Closed for spring cleaning and maintenance

March: Lower rates | Beautiful lush scenery | Baby boom in animal kingdom | No crowds

Reopens 16 March.
Emerald season.
During this time of year there are babies everywhere and a great variety of breeding birds. Look out for specials such as the African Pitta.
The is still a great deal of rain as well as high temperatures and humidity.

April: Lower rates | Beautiful scenery | Fantastic Birding | Pleasant temperatures

Emerald season.
As the inland lagoons start to dry out and the bush becomes less dense, the wildlife becomes more prominent.
The rains are slowly starting to disperse with the decrease in humidity.

May: Lower rates | Beautiful scenery | Great game viewing | Pleasant temperatures

Emerald season up to 21st May.
Shoulder season from 22nd May.
The wildlife is becoming more prolific as the bush continues to dry out. Bird watching is still good despite the lack of migratory birds.
As the end of summer approaches, the temperatures are cooler particularly at night and the humidity decreases but there are still some sporadic showers.

June: Good game viewing | Pleasant temperatures | Favourable rates

Shoulder season.
The landscape is drier and the wildlife begin to congregate along the Shire River which is also a great place to see the various water birds of Liwonde.
The start of winter brings clear cloudless sunny days with a significant drop in temperature towards evening. There may be the occasional overcast day.

July: Good game viewing | Favourable temperatures

Peak season.
The wildlife becomes more prolific as the bush is no longer lush and green. Birding is still great, look out for Lilians Lovebirds, as Liwonde is the only place in Malawi you can see them.
Winter has officially arrived with cooler temperatures during the day and the occasional drizzle (known as chiperoni). Night time temperatures are significantly colder.

August: Good game viewing | Favourable weather

Peak season.
Enjoy fantastic wildlife encounters while enjoying the comfortable temperatures. As there is still a fair amount of vegetation the wildlife is still well fed.
The days are still sunny and clear despite it being the tail end winter. The nights are chilly and there is still the chance of overcast days with drizzle (chiperoni).

September: Phenomenal game viewing

Peak season.
The rise in temperatures means more wildlife congregated along the Shire River to cool off. The bush is sparse making game viewing easier.
Temperatures are on the rise as winter comes to an end. There may be a few chilly nights at the beginning of the month.

October: Lower Rates | Exceptional game viewing

Shoulder season.
This is considered the best time for game viewing as the bush is dry, and inland water is scarce thus you can see large herds of elephants, sable and more concentrated along the Shire River.
Some of the hottest days of the year are experienced in October although night time temperatures are noticeably lower.

November: Lower Rates | Exceptional game viewing

Emerald season.
Wildlife is still very prolific due to the mostly dry weather that leaves the bush very dry and sparse.
Although November is considered part of the green season, the temperatures are high and it can be quite dry with rain only coming towards the end of the month.

December: Lower rates | Beautiful lush scenery | Baby boom in animal kingdom | No crowds

Emerald season.
The onset of the rains brings great relief to the wildlife after the harsh dry season. Migratory birds also start to arrive and the breeding season starts for many mammals.
Temperatures and humidity are high in December and this is accompanied by some spectacular thunderstorms.

How to get here

South African Airways, Kenya Airways, and Ethiopian Airways fly into Lilongwe, Malawi (plus more may be added).

From Lilongwe, it is a 1 hour flight in a small aircraft to the Makanga Airstrip.
The drive from Lilongwe is about 5 – 5½ hours! From Blantyre, it is about 3 – 4 hours.

The transfer to the lodge is about a 20 minute drive with the possibility of some game viewing along the way.
A high clearance vehicle is needed when driving through the park. Entry is from 6 am to 6 pm, with boat transfers available up until 5 pm. Late arrivals must use the main gate with prior arrangement, and it will incur a fee per trip.

From South Luangwa in Zambia, it is a 1-hour charter flight to Lilongwe where you will clear immigration and continue on the road
transfer or flight as above.

Kuthengo Camp Accommodation Rates

Kuthengo Camp is open from 16th March – 7th January each year. Please note Robin Pope issue rates ‘until further notice’. These rates were issued in January 2025. As much as we try to keep on top of updating rates, please check with us to see if there are any changes.

Children of all ages are welcome at Kuthengo Camp. Children of 1 – 6 years, pay 20%, 7-11 years pay 45% and 12-16 years, pay 65% of the above rates.

The rates are per person sharing (no single supplement unless more than 3 rooms booked). For 4+ rooms single supplement is 30% of the per person sharing rate.

Rates are inclusive of:
All meals,
Game viewing activities (2 per day – game drives or walking safaris),
Laundry,
Bar,
Makanga Airstrip transfers,
Meet & greet at Lilongwe Airport.

Rates Exclude:
Visas, flights, airport taxes, Tourism Levy, Conservation & Community Fund* & park costs

*This levy ensures the survival of the areas/parks that the camps are in.

Kuthengo Camp Special Offers

Long Stay Discount

Stay 7 nights at Robin Pope Safaris properties, and get a 10% discount. Or stay 10 nights and get a 20% discount.

The Robin Pope Safaris camps in Malawi are:
Mkulumadzi Lodge in the Majete Wildlife Reserve.
Kuthengo Camp in Liwonde National Park
Pumulani Lodge in Lake Malawi National Park

The Robin Pope Safaris camps in South Luangwa, Zambia are:
Nkwali Camp  (and Robin’s House), Nsefu Camp, Tena Tena, Luangwa River Camp, Luangwa Bush Camp*, or Luangwa Safari House. Please note we are still adding some of the camps.

*Many guests staying at Nsefu or Nkwali will walk to Luangwa Bush Camp. It lies between the two camps and only sleeps 4 people. The 2 Meru tents have bucket showers & long drop loos. It is about a 3 hour walk. Unlike set departure trips, this experience is arranged to fit within your safari itinerary. Offering a seamless extension into South Luangwa’s remote wilderness. Entirely on foot and guided by experts, you’ll explore untouched terrain by day and sleep under the stars by night. With no vehicles, just the sounds of nature around you. This is a walking safari at its most raw and exhilarating. Luangwa Bush Camp is open from around the 22nd May – 20th October every year.

The Robin Pope Safaris camps in Zimbabwe are:
John’s Camp in Mana Pools National Park

Last Minute Safari

If you book Robin Pope Safaris camps within 30 days of travel, receive these excellent discounted rates (per person per night):
Malawi camps: $350 (Peak), $300 (Shoulder) & $275 (Emerald)
South Luangwa camps (excludes Houses, Bush Camping & Mobile Walking): $595 (Peak), $475 (Shoulder) & $425 (Emerald)
John’s Camp: $600 (Peak) & $525 (Emerald & Shoulder)

Family Safari

Complimentary stay for a second child 12 years to under 16 years.

Group Safari

10% discount on groups of 10 or more people.