A recently renovated Environmental Education Centre in Liwonde National Park is rapidly establishing itself as a vital hub for growing conservation awareness and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.
Following a two-year conceptualisation and construction period, the centre reopened in 2024 with upgraded facilities designed to provide dynamic and interactive learning experiences.
The revitalised centre has quickly become a focal point for a diverse range of educational activities.
Children are immersed in engaging camp sessions, while local communities gather for important discussions.
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The upgraded space also accommodates media presentations and workshops; all aimed at deepening an understanding of and appreciation for the natural world.
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A significant addition to the centre is its hostel accommodation, which has proven invaluable in allowing students to extend their stays and forge a stronger connection with Liwonde’s unique ecosystems and wildlife.
Experiencing the park’s environment both day and night provides a richer educational experience, fostering a deeper understanding of its biodiversity.
Statistics from African Parks show that over the past year, 664 visitors utilised the overnight facilities, with 69 percent receiving sponsorship.
“Additionally, 4,901 learners participated in day visits, with 13 percent also benefiting from financial support. These figures highlight the park’s commitment to ensuring access to environmental education for the 113 schools and surrounding communities,” reads a statement.
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A student from Namandanje CDSS expressed the transformative impact of their visit.
“This experience in the park has been truly transformative… the invaluable lessons I learned at the Liwonde Environmental Education Centre…have ignited my ambition and given me the tools to achieve my goals,” he said.
The reopening of the Centre is part of a broader educational support network being developed in Malawi by African Parks at Liwonde, Majete and Nkhotakota National Parks.
This includes scholarships, school construction, and literacy programmes, addressing the critical need for educational opportunities in rural communities. Furthermore, environmental education programs and wildlife clubs are being established in villages surrounding the park, expanding environmental awareness among Malawi’s youth.
The Liwonde Environmental Education Centre is attracting visitors from over 600 kilometers away, highlighting its growing reputation as an inspirational space for conservation learning.
“At the Liwonde Environmental Education Centre, knowledge is not just shared—it is lived, experienced, and taken back home to inspire others.
“By equipping young minds with the tools to understand and appreciate the natural world, it is shaping a generation that will continue to advocate for its protection, ensuring that the lessons learned within the park’s boundaries ripple far beyond them,” reads the statement.
Liwonde National Park is a Zambezian ecosystem covering 54,800 hectares and is ecologically linked to the Mangochi Forest Reserve which covers 35,800 hectares in the southern part of Malawi.
African Parks signed a management partnership with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife for Liwonde in 2015 and has been responsible for park operations since.
African Parks also manages Malawi’s Majete and Nkhotakota National Parks in partnership with DNPW.
