For some scenic trail running in one of Lilongwe’s last remaining green spaces, we recommend the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre. The 70-hectare centre provides a unique haven for a range of wildlife, from antelopes and bushpigs to jackals and over 200 species of birds!.  Though the wildlife section is not open to the public, there are 6 km of trails along the Lingadzi river that are publicly accessible, providing a beautiful and shaded run through one of the last remaining Acacia/Combretum forests in Malawi’s Central Region.

Photo: Martine van Schoor

For running, the trails are color-coded with markers on the trees: yellow (2km), blue (3.5km), and red (4.8km)  — that can be combined. You can extend the run for ~1-1.5 km with two shorter trails at the other side of the river (open weekends).

Notes: Open 8am-5pm. From December to April, the forest is at its most lush and beautiful, but can be muddy when it rains. Our thanks to Martine van Schoor for suggesting this route!