Beware of Wild Animals

Camp Mvuu, Liwonde National Park:

On our boat ride into Liwonde National Park, we saw hippos, elephants, and crocodiles. It was incredible to see these animals, but I was more impressed by the fishermen working in the same river—in nothing but rustic wooden boats. 

Walking to our cabin in Mvuu Camp, we passed multiple signs warning us of dangerous wild animals in the area, but so far we’d only seen monkeys and a few wild boars. With the river flooded, the water came within a few yards of our cabin. Before the safari, my roommates and I needed to grab sweatshirts. We knew we weren’t allowed to walk by ourselves at night, but as there was still daylight, we headed back on our own to grab them. We were startled by a giant hippo that had come out of the water and was grazing just a few feet from our front porch. This was a reminder that we were the ones visiting their home, and luckily we noticed him before he realized we were intruding.  

Our huge and noisy safari bus that felt every pothole and seemed to run into every branch was the only thing that disturbed the nature around us. Being the only people in sight, it was obvious that we were the outsiders here, disrupting the natural order of things. We got up close to elephants, tigers, monkeys, and many other incredible animals. Seeing these animals in their natural habitat felt unreal, but it’s something I’ll never forget. 

Our time in this untamed environment reminded me of the delicate balance between human presence and the wildlife that calls this place home. It was an adventure filled with awe, respect, and a profound appreciation for the wonders of the natural world.