What it is
Around 550 km2 either side of the Shire River in southern Malawi, managed by African Parks since 2015. The river is the park: a wide, reedy, hippo-filled channel with floodplain and mopane woodland behind it.
Why go
Boat safaris are the way to see it and they are why the detour is worth making. Hundreds of hippo, crocodile on every bank, elephant coming down to drink and outstanding birds, including a genuine chance at Pel's fishing owl. Cheetah were reintroduced in 2017 and lion in 2018, and black rhino are kept in a fenced sanctuary area within the park.
When to go
June to November, as the floodplain dries and game comes to the river. September and October are the best and the hottest. December to March is green, good for birds and harder for driving. It is about four hours from Lilongwe and considerably closer to Blantyre.
Most people stay 2-3 nights.