Liwonde National Park’s Environmental Education Centre is more than a renovation, it’s a knowledge and love of nature that is lived and shared.
After two years of conceptualising and construction, Liwonde National Park’s Environmental Education Centre reopened its doors in 2024, unveiling a fresh new look and a renewed purpose. This wasn’t just a renovation—it was a revival of a space dedicated to inspiring the next generation of conservationists.
Now a dynamic hub for interactive learning, the Centre has quickly gained a reputation for delivering high-quality environmental education. Whether it is children immersed in camp sessions, communities gathering for discussions, or groups engaging in media presentations and workshops, the upgraded facilities have become a focal point for learning and discovery.
One of the most transformative aspects of the Centre is its hostels. These have proved invaluable, allowing students to extend their stay and truly connect with Liwonde’s remarkable landscapes and wildlife. Experiencing the park both by day and night deepens their understanding of the park’s incredible biodiversity and strengthens their bond with nature from a young age. Over the past year, 664 visitors stayed overnight—an impressive 69% of whom were sponsored by the park.
Meanwhile, 4,901 learners visited for the day, with 13% receiving sponsorship. These numbers reflect a strong commitment to ensuring that the 113 schools surrounding the park, and the communities they serve, have access to meaningful environmental education.
One Namandanje CDSS student had this to say: “This experience in the park has been truly transformative. I've seen its value firsthand, not only through the comfortable accommodation and delicious meals, but more importantly, through the invaluable lessons I learned at the Liwonde Environmental Education Centre. These lessons have ignited my ambition and given me the tools to achieve my goals. As a student, I'm deeply thankful for this incredible opportunity.”
The Centre is the latest in a wide range of education support mechanisms developed and put in place in and around the parks where African Parks has management partnerships. Others include scholarships, building schools and literacy programmes, vital in a country where children in rural communities have little access to good education, often due to lack of tuition funds. In addition, environmental education programmes are run and wildlife clubs started in the villages, creating environmental awareness at scale amongst Malawi’s schoolchildren.
An inspirational space for conservation education, Liwonde Environmental Education Centre is drawing visitors from over 600 kilometres away. Here, knowledge isn’t just shared—it’s 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.
"I found the facilitators' lessons on environmental conservation very engaging. I also appreciated the nice showers and the tasty food. There was nothing I didn't enjoy about my time at Liwonde National Park." (Namabvi primary school student)