A year-round destination and relatively small, it is the combination of attractions and experiences Malawi has to offer in such a compact area that makes it so special, and one of Africa’s most complete destinations.

The friendliness of the Malawians is renowned, which makes the cultural experiences second to none – opportunities to be warmly welcomed into real villages, interact with local people and discover what daily life is like in Africa.

Despite having all that Africa has to offer in one compact, welcoming and easy to explore destination, remarkably, Malawi remains untouched and unspoilt by mass tourism. This is still real Africa where you will hardly see another visitor - allowing you to fully explore and enjoy all of its riches in Wildlife, Culture, Landscape and Lake.

 

Lake Malawi

The jewel in the crown of the country’s tourist attractions is Lake Malawi – the Rift Valley’s ‘Lake of Stars’ and third largest in Africa. Home to the world’s first freshwater National Park and covering a third of the country, it has a shoreline of idyllic golden sandy beaches lapped by gentle waves. Full of crystal clear fresh water, the lake is so vast that one side is rarely visible from the other. It is home to around 1000 species of brightly coloured tropical fish - more than all the lakes and rivers of Europe and North America put together! The fish will swim around you, and come up and boast their magnificence right in front of you. They can be studied even closer when snorkelling or scuba diving.

Lake Malawi is not only a scenic wonderland but it provides a wide range of water sports beyond sunbathing and swimming. There is everything from snorkelling to paddleboarding, windsurfing to sailing and kiteboarding to kayaking. Accommodation is dotted along its shore and islands, mainly small friendly lodges, but to suit all budgets. From luxury lodges to rustic camps on deserted islands, all have their own piece of paradise and offer plenty of activities to keep you occupied, or simply a relaxing, secluded beach experience. Journeys on the Lake range from the famous ‘lake ferry’, the mv Ilala, to exploring on a kayak expedition or even trying out a traditional dugout canoe from one of the numerous fishing villages that dot the shoreline.

Wildlife

Malawi’s nine National Parks and Wildlife Reserves offer game viewing and tracking as it should be... intimate, exclusive and abundant. Each park has a maximum of just two lodges, so you can view the Big 5 without the crowds. The Parks and Reserves spread from the far north of the country to the deep south and cover a huge variety of landscape and vegetation types, including areas of genuine unspoilt wilderness.

A safari in Malawi is about memorable experiences, not just tick lists; plenty of wildlife in beautiful surroundings but no convoys of vehicles characteristic of some African game parks. Visitors are relatively few in number, giving everyone the opportunity to experience all types of safari: in a 4x4, by boat, or on foot, and even wildlife viewing from your balcony, in peaceful privacy.

Malawi is also an ornithologist’s paradise. With its variety of habitats and geographical location, few countries in the whole of Africa can rival Malawi’s range of bird species. But the greatest variety of animal species is to be found under water, with Lake Malawi home to around 1000 species of tropical fish – a number unsurpassed anywhere else in the world.

Previously perceived as lacking in predators, a number of Malawi’s reserves are now managed by African Parks, who have overseen a huge renaissance in Malawi’s wildlife numbers to help the country emerge as a genuine safari gem.

Landscape

Malawi’s natural scenery is stunningly beautiful. The diversity of landscapes and vegetation is breath- taking and changes around every bend: untouched wilderness, high plateaux, mountain peaks, riverine lowlands, vast tracts of forest, grasslands, and plantations of sugar and tea. All of this in a country smaller than England.

Malawi’s highest peaks touch 10000ft/3000m while the lowest points are barely above sea level. These great contrasts help to make its landscape one the most varied in Africa. As well as viewing points from which to see across countless miles of magnificent landscapes, the forest reserves and uplands offer activities from climbing to trekking, mountain biking to birdwatching, or simple cool tranquillity in surroundings of incredible natural beauty.

The peaks of the Mulanje Massif in the south offer hiking and climbing for days, even weeks, while nearby Zomba Plateau is easy to access, has a stables and boasts stunning views from its edge. The forests of the Viphya Highlands run up the spine of the country, giving way to the dramatic Rift Valley escarpment that descends, along with its rivers, to the shores of Lake Malawi. In the far north are the stunning and unique rolling grassland hills of the Nyika Plateau, which is also a wildlife reserve. Even though their focus is wildlife and safaris, all of Malawi’s reserves also have their own beautiful scenery to behold.

Culture

‘The Warm Heart of Africa’ is not just a marketing slogan, it’s a reality. Malawians are the most friendly people you could meet anywhere in the world. A warm, welcoming and safe nation, locals love to share their communities with visitors; and cultural experiences here are genuine and true to life. Even in the context of Malawi’s great natural riches and attractions, its people are its greatest asset. Every visitor is met with a smile and the warmth of the welcome is genuine and long-lasting.

With a population of over 17 million, Malawi is one of the more densely peopled countries in Africa. Most live in traditional rural villages that give visitors a wonderful opportunity to have a glimpse of real Africa – daily life as it is in real villages in the heart of the continent. The majority of Malawi’s tourist lodges have strong links to their local communities and can easily arrange visits to villages who are pleased to welcome in respectful visitors and proud to show them round.

Although Malawi cultural experiences are primarily about interacting with local people, there are also a number of sites of historical (ancient and colonial) interest to visit, and a few traditional dances and ceremonies that can be seen. Malawi’s modern festival and music scene is also fast expanding, with events throughout the year. The best known is the renowned Lake of Stars Festival, with artists and festival-goers travelling from every continent!