They call Malawi the “Warm Heart of Africa”. Not only are the people of Malawi incredibly warm-hearted and friendly, the country is blissfully peaceful and tranquil. It’s one of the safest countries to visit in Africa and one of the most magical.
It’s a relatively small landlocked country in southeastern Africa which occupies a narrow, curved strip of land along the East African Rift Valley. It’s bordered by Tanzania to the North, Lake Malawi to the east, Mozambique to the east and south and Zambia to the west. It’s the perfect safari destination. Book your Malawi Tour and Safari direct with MoAfrika Tours.
Lake Malawi is no doubt the first place you think about when planning a holiday to Malawi. It’s covers one-fifth of the country’s total land area and is the jewel of the country. Covering an area of almost 30 000 square kilometres and reaching depts of 300 metres, Lake Malawi is the third largest lake in Africa and one of the deepest in the world.
Most people on holiday in Malawi are drawn to the country for its outstanding outdoor adventure destinations and its beautiful wilderness areas. Malawi isn’t a popular safari destination mainly because the wildlife in the national parks have almost been decimated by rampant poaching but this is due to change with dedicated conservation projects bearing fruit and animal numbers increasing.
It may be a landlocked country but Malawi offers visitors the perfect “beach and bush” holiday. From lying on pristine white beaches on the islands of Lake Malawi to boating, snorkeling and windsurfing in the crystal clear waters to outstanding bush walks, biking or horse-riding in the country’s wonderful nature reserves; Malawi has something to offer everyone.
What makes Malawi special is it’s a breathtaking-beautiful part of Africa that is untamed and unspoilt by commercial development and tourism. You can have a blissful holiday in Malawi without the safari and beach crowds and highly affordable if you have US Dollars or Euros to spend.
Malawi once formed part of the Maravi Empire which was an African kingdom founded in the late 15th century. The Maravis became known as the Chewa which is an ethnic group most Malawians belong to today.
Scottish missionaries arrived in the region in the 19th century, including the legendary Dr David Livingstone. He was one of the first Europeans to make the grueling journey across Africa; arriving in Malawi in 1859.
Malawi was a British protectorate for over 75 years. The British assumed control of Malawi in late 1880s and the country’s name was changed to Nyasaland in 1907. Nyasaland means ‘land of the lake’. Malawi became a self-governed country in 1964 and an official republic in 1966.
Malawi lies in Africa’s Great Rift Valley which is a continuous geographic trench that stretches approximately 6 000 kilometres in length. The Great Rift Valley runs from Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley in Asia to Mozambique in southeastern Africa.
Mount Mulanje in Malawi towers some 3 000 metres above ground level and is the highest mountain in Central Africa. In the southern region of Malawi, the Zomba Plateau rises to a height of 2 000 meters; in the north, Nyika National Park rises to a height of 2 500 metres making it the highest plateau in Central Africa. Malawi is not a wealthy country. It is burdened with grinding poverty and much of its population suffers from chronic malnutrition and high rates of infant mortality. Most of Malawi’s population are subsistence farmers producing cash crops that are sold at local markets.
The massive commercially-operated agricultural estates in Malawi employ at least four-fifths of the working population and account for about one-third of the country’s GDP and the vast majority of Malawi’s export earnings. The main export crop is tobacco followed by tea, sugar and cotton.
Malawi is the leading producer of burley leaf tobacco in the world. This is a low grade, high nicotine tobacco and a chief export of Malawi.
Tobacco and tea are the chief exports of Malawi. Malawi also has the highest production of burley leaf tobacco, a low grade, high nicotine tobacco.
Malawi is one of the most densely populated countries in southern Africa but it’s also one of the least urbanized. More than 80% of the population live in rural settlements. However, urbanisation in Malawi is picking up the pace which is far faster than both the African and global averages.
Lake Malawi is roughly the size of Belgium; running 563 kilometres in length from the northern to southern tip. It’s the 9th largest lake in the world, the 3rd largest and the 2nd deepest. It is only eclipsed in depth by Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika. It is home to 700 recorded species of cichlid which are tiny, colourful fish that live in the shallow waters.
David Livingstone described Lake Malawi as the “Lake of Stars”. He was referring to the thousands of twinkling lights of the fishing boats which drift across the lake at night.
Malawi is divided into 4 distinct regions: the East African (or Great) Rift Valley, the central plateaus, the highlands and the isolated mountains. The East African Rift Valley is a massive trench depression which runs through Malawi from north to south and contains Lake Malawi and the Shire River valley.
The precise route of the border with Tanzania is a source of ongoing controversy. After 127 years, Malawi and Tanzania are still at odds at to who to who owns what and where. The confusion came about because of a bureaucratic bungle that was made when the Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty of 1890 was drafted between Britain and Germany when Africa was calved up by colonial powers. The dispute revolves around whether the border runs firmly up the middle of Lake Malawi or ebbs along the edge.
Lake Malawi spans some 29 525 square kilometres of which 24 408 falls within Malawi. The lake is also known as Lake Nyasa which is a name that stems from the days with the country was called Nyasaland.
Lake Malawi has more recorded fish species than any other lake in the world.
The Zomba Plateau is home to the white-winged apalis which is a highly endangered bird found in isolated regions in Africa. There are fewer than 100 breeding pairs left in the wild. Good numbers of this precious species are found in the Jacaranda trees in an area on the outskirts of Zomba.
Malawi is the only country in the world outside of Denmark that has a Carlsberg factory.
The name Malawi is derived from the old name given by the Maravi for the Nyanja people that inhabited the region.
The traditional dress worn by women in Malawi is called Chitenje. It’s a rectangular piece of fabric which comes in a variety of patterns, colors and designs. It’s tied the same way you tie a sarong and it’s also used as a baby sling or as a pot holder.
Portuguese explorers introduced maize (corn) to the region. Today, maize is the staple grain of Malawi.
Malawi travel is safe if you make safety a priority. Stick to the beaten tourist path and stay in reputable Malawi hotels and Malawi safari lodges at the main tourist destinations in the country.
The original people living in what is now Malawi were simple hunter-gatherers from the Stone Age. When the Bantu people arrived in the 4th century, they introduced iron tools and weapons as well as farming technique.
By the 15th century, the people who lived south of Lake Nyasa had begun building an empire called the Maravi. By the 18th century, the Maravi Empire included parts of what is now Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Thereafter, the Maravi Empire broke down.
The Portuguese explorers had arrived in the region by the 16th century. They came in search of slaves and ivory which were sold to them by the Maravi in exchange for maize (corn). Towards the end of the 18th century and the early 19th century, people from northern Mozambique called the Yao would frequently raid Malawi and take captives which were sold to the Arabs as slaves.
In the 1840s, a fierce tribe called the Ngoni invaded the area and frequently fought the Yao.
The British-Malawi era commenced in the late 1880s shortly after Presbyterian missionaries and British merchants followed David Livingstone out to Africa. In 1883, Britain sent a consul to the region and thereafter the British gradually took control of Malawi.
Most of Malawi was formed into the British Central African Protectorate by 1891 and the Shire Highlands Protectorate was formed in 1889. The British ended the slave trade and created and ran successful coffee plantations in its place.
Malawi was renamed Nyasaland in 1907 and the country was given a legislative council.
When World War 1 started, the German infantry from Tanzania invaded Nyasaland but they were repelled. A man named John Chilembwe led a rebellion in early 1915 in a fight for independence but that too was crushed by the British forces.
Finally, in 1944 the Nyasaland African Congress was established and by 1949, native Malawians were allowed to sit on the legislative council for the first time.
In 1953, the British joined Northern Rhodesia (Zambia), Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and Nyasaland (Malawi) into a single entity which they called the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
The African Congress was renamed the Malawi Congress Party in 1959 under the leadership of Dr Hasting Banda. There was a period of unrest and protests and a state of emergency was declared during which Banda was imprisoned for a short time.
The British realised they were losing their grip on the country and independence was inevitable. In 1961, the Malawian Congress Party won elections to the legislative council and in 1962, Britain agreed to make Malawi independent. The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was dissolved in 1963.
Malawi became independent in July 1964 and Dr Banda was named Prime Minister of Malawi. In 1966, Malawi was made a republic and Dr Banda became President. The British Queen was no longer head of state.
Zomba was the capital of Malawi under British rule but by 1975, Lilongwe had become the capital of the Republic of Malawi.
Banda ruled as a dictator and in 1971 made himself president of Malawi for life. All dissent was ruthlessly crushed, letters and telephone calls were censored as were films and magazine. Banda became extremely rich while most of his people were poor and living in dire poverty.
Violent protests erupted in Malawi in the early 1990s at the same time the country suffered a severe drought. Some western countries suspended aid and the Malawi churches decried the situation. Banda was finally forced to hold a referendum in 1993 and the great majority voted for democratic rule.
Free and fair elections were held in May 1993 and Baliki Muluzi became the new president of the Republic of Malawi.
Elections held in 2004 saw Bingu wa Mutharika elected as President of Malawi and in 2012 Joyce Banda became the first woman President of Malawi. The current president is Peter Mutharika who is Bingu’s brother.
Malawi is still ranked in the top 5 poorest countries in the world but it has seen some economic growth in recent years. It’s a developing country and there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of Malawi.
South Africa is Malawi’s most significant trading partner. Other trading partners include China, the United States, India and neighbouring African countries.
At least 40% of Malawi’s foreign exchange earnings come from the export of tobacco. Malawi is in fact the leading producer of burley leaf tobacco which is a low grade, high nicotine variety. The other major export products are raw sugar, tea and cotton.
Tobacco is mostly grown on the central plateau on large agricultural estates and by a few smaller farming enterprises in the region. Tobacco farmers have been urged to diversify due to the fact that a worldwide campaign against smoking is likely to increase global demand for tobacco.
Tea and coffee is grown on expansive plantations on the Shire Highlands, in northern Malawi and in the northeastern Viphya Mountains.
Cash crops typically grown on a commercial or subsistence basis include maize (corn), beans, peas, peanuts, cassava, bananas, pulses, sweet potatoes and rice. Livestock farming in Malawi includes chickens, cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. Apart from the massive agricultural estates, most farms in Malawi are small with little more than 1 hectare per farmer.
Fishing is practices by local fisherman as well as commercial fisheries. Lake Malawi is a rich source of fish and its within easy access to the majority of the country’s population who tend to live close to the lake. However, overfishing in Malawi is a problem and the people of Malawi face a dire shortage of fish for the pot and to sell in the future.
Malawi doesn’t have extensive mineral deposits. Small-scale mining of coal occurs in the north and you’ll find quarries for the extraction of limestone for the production of cement.
There are approximately 17.8 million people living permanently in Malawi. The population is grouped in to 10 major ethnic groups which includes the Chewa, Nyanja, Lomwe, Yao, Tumbuka, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, and the Lambya/Nyiha.
The warm-hearted and welcoming disposition of the people of Malawi is the main reason the country is regarded as the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’. Most inhabitants of the beautiful country live in abject poverty, are not widely educated and have limited resources to better their lives and those of their family. Somehow, the people of Malawi remain upbeat and gracious for the freedom and liberty they do have.
Between 1968 and 1994, Chewa was the national language of the country. It is now one of numerous languages used in print and broadcast media. Children in Grades 1-4 are taught in their mother tongue and from Grade 5 they are taught in English.
Three out of four people in Malawi are Christians. The remainder are Roman Catholic or Muslims. The people of Malawi have freedom of religion and as a whole the freedom of speech and equality.
Malawi beach holidays and a Malawi safari are the main attractions but if you get a chance to meet the people of Malawi on cultural village tour; you’ll find the experience fascinating and be richly blessed by their warmth and friendliness.
Yes, One of the first questions people ask when planning a Malawi holiday is whether the country is safe. The good news is Malawi is one of the safest countries in Africa to visit and travel around. The crime rate in Malawi is extremely low and the people are friendly and welcoming.
In 2014, Lonely Planet ranked Malawi as the 5th best country to visit not just in Africa but in the whole world. Lake Malawi is the most popular tourist destination in Malawi followed by Mulanje Mountain, Nyika National Park, Kugoni Cultural Centre and a selection of national parks and wildlife reserves.
As can be expected, petty crime does occur in the major towns and cities in Malawi. This ranges from pickpocketing to bag snatching, mugging and theft out of hotel rooms. International tourists are often targeted by crime syndicates in common tourist scams such as card cloning or skimming. Be vigilante with your banking cards and take the usual precautions to keep your personal details and PIN codes private.
Make safety in Malawi a priority and use common sense; as you would travelling to any country in Africa. Pay attention to safety tips and before leaving for your holiday in Malawi, do some research to find out more about areas that are safe to visit or not and typically what crime affects tourists in the country.
The people of Malawi have strong spiritual beliefs and visitors are restricted from going to certain places such as the Mulanje Mountain. The locals believe it is home to spirits and unwanted visits by foreigners are not encouraged.
Malawi is a beautiful country and worth a visit if you love outdoor adventures, wildlife and beautiful natural surrounds. It’s a land of lakes and expansive plateaus which are defined by the great grooves crated by the East African Ridge.
It’s a long, narrow country which lies on the borders of Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique. For its size, it’s jam-packed with outstanding natural resources and home to a nation of warm-hearted and friendly people.
Malawi tourism revolves around Lake Malawi and its outdoor adventure activities and gorgeous accommodation in spectacular settings. From snorkeling and sunbathing to yachting and fishing, a holiday at Lake Malawi is fun for the whole family.
It’s the perfect “beach and bush” destinations even though Malawi is a landlocked country. On your travels around Malawi, you’ll experience the powder-white beaches on the shoreline of Lake Malawi and its many delightful islands as well as the wild beauty of its national parks and wilderness reserves.
Malawi is home to the Big 5, an abundance of other wildlife and over 700 recorded bird species as well as over 700 recorded species of fish. Grab a Malawi map and you’ll see that the country is dominated by the great Lake Malawi and a couple of majestic plateaus that are home to a rich variety of fauna and flora.
If you look at a Malawi map, you’ll see the narrow, elongated country is divided into the northern, central and southern regions:
There is so much more to Malawi than its famous Lake Malawi or as some people still call it, Lake Nyasa. The country is not popular as a safari destination at the moment but this is changing as dedicated conservation programmes seek to restore the numbers of animals in the national parks.
If you’re a sun babe, watersport addict or just wanting to escape the busy tourist crowds in the rest of Africa, Malawi is the ideal holiday destination for a ‘surf & turf’ holiday for the whole family where peace and tranquility are guaranteed.
Lake of Stars Festival
Lake of Stars Festival is an annual three-day international festival held on the shores of Lake Malawi, the third largest lake in Africa. The first festival took place in 2004 and attracts over 4,000 attendees with musical acts drawn mainly from Africa and Europe.
Will Jameson set up the Lake of Stars Project in 2003 to encourage international tourism to Malawi, taking inspiration from events like WOMAD and Glastonbury. The project uses cultural tourism to generate revenue and exposure for Malawi. The project was born from a desire to help promote Malawi as a tourist destination, support the country’s cultural sector and expose Malawian artists to an international audience.
Sunbird Sand Music Festival
The Sunbird Sand Music Festival is Malawi’s hallmark event that attracts locals, musicians and tourists from around the world each year to celebrate Malawi’s rich cultural heritage. The first Sand Music Festival was held in 2009 and has grown in popularity to become the largest musical festival of its kind in Malawi hosting crowds of over 6 000 people and attracting some 100 exhibitors.
The international festival features music, dance, poetry, comedy, disruptive entertainment, sports and drama. It also features an exhibition of arts and crafts and other local products, a tourism expo, an outdoor area for food and drink vendors selling traditional as well as branded fare, a youth zone and a business expo for the corporate, SMME and government sectors.
In 2018, the international music event took place at the Sunbird Livingstonia Beach in October. It featured local artists and headliner artists from countries like Nigeria, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Likoma Summer Festival (Li-Fest)
The Likoma Summer Festival is an annual event held over the Easter period on the magnificent Likoma Island. Dubbed the Li-Fest, it’s held over the long weekend and is aimed at promoting tourism to the Island District while at the same time providing a platform for local artists to showcase their talents.
Revelers are treated to a ship cruise music party which takes them around Chizumulu Island. The rest of the time is spent rocking to the sounds of live music performances, watching traditional dance groups, playing beach games and racing canoes or sightseeing on the beautiful Likoma Island.
International artists attracted to the annual summer music festival come from as far afield as South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
It’s unusual to talk about a beach holiday in Malawi because it’s a landlocked country but that’s exactly what Malawi is known for; idyllic holidays on white-washed beaches. The lake water is calm, clear and warm and there are obviously no strong currents like you’d find in the sea. This makes Lake Malawi paradise for families with young children and outdoor and watersport enthusiasts.
Watersport activities at Lake Malawi range from snorkeling and scuba diving to boat cruises, sailing, water skiing, kayaking, canoeing and windsurfing. On the beach, Malawi holidaymakers enjoy playing football on the beach, fishing, horse riding and hiking.
What makes Lake Malawi special is it isn’t overly commercialised by mass tourism. The islands are untamed and unspoilt by development and you’ll find quaint fishing lodges and intimate beach lodges rather than unsightly tourist resorts.
Lake Malawi is like a giant fish tank at an aquarium. The water is crystal clear and filled with brightly-coloured fish species. There are over 500 recorded species of indigenous tropical fish in the lake which you can see snorkeling or scuba diving.
Visibility can reach up to 30 metres in the months of August to December which is the best time to visit Lake Malawi for snorkeling and diving. You can do a simple resort diving course with a professional PADI or NAUI instructor which is offered by the large beach resorts in Lake Malawi.
A gorgeous sunset boat cruise is one of the best things to do on Lake Malawi. The boat trip takes you to a few of the smaller islands located off the shoreline. Kayaking, canoeing and sailing yachts is also extremely popular and a wonderful way to explore the palm-fringed shoreline of Lake Malawi.
Some lodges offer waterskiing. Winds are rarely very high and the conditions for waterskiing on Lake Malawi are usually perfect. Sailboarding is also popular although there’s often no more than a light breeze to get you going.
The best time to travel to Lake Malawi is in the dry season from April to November. October is the best month because the waters are calm and clear and the weather is warm and balmy.
Malawi Lake can get quite windy in August and September and the waters are not always calm or as clear for snorkeling, diving and yachting.
Winter in Lake Malawi is June/July. This is a windy period and temperatures in the evening drop.
Lake Malawi is safe to swim in but you need to follow the rules:
A Malawi safari is not the first thing you think of when you’re dreaming of a holiday to this wonderful country. This is because animal numbers in the national parks of Malawi are significantly lower than other popular national parks in Africa because they’ve been ruthlessly targeted by poaches and hunters.
This is changing with NGO’s such as African Parks addressing the wildlife conservation crisis in the country. The conservation and wildlife management group is the driving force behind the rescue and rehabilitation of failing game reserves in Malawi. This includes Majete Wildlife Reserve, Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve and Liwonde National Park.
Liwonde National Park is about to see its fortunes turned around with the return of big cats which forms part of an ongoing rehabilitation programme initiated by African Parks. This includes fencing the entire 129-kilometre perimeter, restocking the park with local species that were declared extinct in the region and relocating elephants which are surplus in other national parks around southern Africa.
Hundreds of elephants have already been relocated to Liwonde National Park as part of a massive animal relocation project. It’s expected that numbers of lions, leopards and cheetah will return to good levels as well as black and white rhino.
African Parks is a non-profit organisation based in South Africa that has the support of the Dutch government and industries. The group has already transformed Majete Reserve in Malawi and the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. The objective is to establish Malawi as the next big safari destination in Africa.
Sailing or yachting as some call it on Lake Malawi is legendary. The conditions are perfect for a day’s sailing on the magical waters or you could opt to book a 3-4 night sail boat cruise which takes you to the hidden coves and islands of Malawi.
If you have enough time, you can sail all the way from Liwonde Island to Kaya Mawa which is one of the most popular island resorts in Lake Malawi.
Lake Malawi is famous for its annual Lake Malawi Sailing Marathon which is an epic long-haul race and fundraiser. The sailing marathon falls in the season of the Mwera which provides strong south-easterly winds which often blow up without warning and provide excellent sailing conditions even for the more experienced and skilled sailors.
The event was started in 1984 by a group of avid sailors and today is an internationally-recognised competition. The competitors and their supporters stay in different beach resorts situated up the west coast of Lake Malawi.
Malawi is a birdwatcher’s paradise mainly because of the vast variety of habitats which range from wetlands to lakes, forest and Afro-montane highlands. There is are 650 recorded bird species in Malawi, some of which are not found anywhere else in the world.
Special bird sightings include Lilian’s lovebird, brown-breasted barbet, white-backed night heron, rufous-bellied heron, long-toed lapwing, bat hawk, Dickinson’s kestrel, Pel’s fishing owl, palmnut vulture, osprey, Livingstone’s flycatcher, fiery-necked and Gabon nightjars, and calling African barred owlets.
Fish is the staple diet of many lakeside residents and the fishing industry is one of the most important agricultural outputs of Lake Malawi. For people on holiday in Malawi, fishing at the lake and the many streams and rivers is a popular attraction.
Fishing in Malawi is especially popular on the southern lakeshore north of Mangochi and at Senga Bay. A number of fishing tournaments are held each year in these popular fishing spots in Malawi and catches include the delicious Sungwa.
There are 700 recorded fish species in Lake Malawi and the majority of them are cichlids. You’ll also find perch, yellowfish, lake salmon and a smaller version of lake salmon, tiger fish and catfish.
The Bua River runs through the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve and is excellent for salmon. Other hot spots for salmon include the Luweya, Lufira and North Rukuru rivers.
The ferocious tiger fish is abundant in the Lower Shire river, particularly below the Kapichira Falls on the southern boundary of the Majete Wildlife Reserve. Further down, you’ll find good numbers of catfish and barbel.
The streams and dams of Zomba Plateau, Mount Mulanje and Nyika Plateau are well stocked with rainbow trout. Only fly fishing is permitted in these regions, using flies tied on single hooks. The fly fishing season in Malawi is between September and April.
As a rule, the best time of year to visit Malawi for a fishing trip is between September and April.
Malawi is popular as a hiking destination and you’ll find hordes of hikers making their way to places like the Zomba Plateau, Mount Mulanje and Nyika Plateau for breathtakingly-scenic hiking trails. The number of magical hiking trails in Malawi is vast.
The Zomba Plateau reaches a height of some 1 800 metres and offers hikers a combination of relaxed or more strenuous hikes through lush forested areas. Birdwatching usually goes hand-in-hand with hiking in the spectacular mountain surrounds.
Mount Mulanje is a massive granite massif located in southern Malawi which offers hikers a combination of easy and more difficult hikes. It’s perfect for families with younger children because there are a number of walks in the nature reserve that can be enjoyed over a couple of hours.
Nyika Plateau is renowned for its magnificent high rolling hills and open savanna grasslands strewn with natural orchids and dotted with wild game such as zebra and antelope.
Did you know?
Malawi is the home to Central Africa’s largest mountain. Mulanje Mountain is found in the southern region of Malawi; rising from Chiradzulo district and the tea growing areas in Mulanje district. It’s an ideal destination for hiking and rock climbing in Malawi. Mulanje Mountain is actually referred to as the Mulanje Massif. A massif is a block of rock on the earth’s crust bounded by faults and shifted to form peaks of a mountain range.
Horse riding in Malawi is extremely popular because the horses can take you to magical places in the montane forests that you can’t get to by car. People who arrive on holiday in Malawi and want to horse ride have the option of two trail-riding tourist operations. This is Kande Horse at Chintheche and The Plateau Stables on Zomba Plateau.
The Plateau Stables are the only trail-riding operation in the South and Central regions of Malawi. The city of Zomba is just over an hour’s drive on a new road from Blantyre and the stables are based near the top of the Zomba mountain range at an altitude of 1 500 metres. Trail rides take you on an assortment of routes and usually include steep hills and dales where you can drop up to 2 100 metres. The views are spectacular and forest surrounds are magical.
The Shire Highlands around Mulanje Mountain is the heart of Malawi’s famous tea growing region. Both Mulanje and Thyolo have massive tea and coffee plantations which are renowned for their beautifully restored colonial estate houses. Guests visiting the tea estates are treated to old-style services and delicious home cooking. The views from the tea estates are magnificent.
Estates like Satemwa, Lauderdale and Esperanza offer free tasting trips for tourists. For the full British tea-tasting experience, you can book yourself into the 1874 Huntingdon House located in the middle of Satemwa Tea Estate. It’s a unique experience with all the historical charm of a bygone era.
Built in 1937, the Satemwa Factory is known around the tea world as a producer of fine quality tea. It is now the last remaining tea farm of the original founding tea estates in Malawi which led to the creation of Malawi’s historic tea-growing industry.
When you dream of a holiday to Malawi you conjure up images of pristine lakes and idyllic beaches, verdant mountain plateaus and sprawling tobacco, coffee and tea plantations.
Interest in Malawi as a tourist destination ebbs and flows and the magical country is yet to strike it hot on the safari circuit. The tourist industry in Malawi has grown considerably since the mid-1970s and the government of Malawi is aware of its considerable potential.
The main attractions for a wonderful holiday in Malawi include beach resorts situated on the shoreline of Lake Malawi, mountainous retreats in the Zomba Plateau and Mulanje Mountain and unspoilt national parks such as Nyika National Park, Kasungu National Park and Liwonde National Park.
Discover for yourself why the call Malawi the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’. It’s warm-hearted, friendly people and incredible natural resources make it a magical holiday destination in Africa.
Lake Malawi is one of Africa’s Great Lakes. It’s an impressive and breathtakingly-beautiful lake situated on Malawi’s northeastern boundary with Tanzania to the north and Mozambique to the south of the great lake.
It’s estimated that Lake Malawi is about 3 million years old which is outstanding as the lifespan of an ordinary lake is about 10 000 years depending on how shallow it is and the type of soil is rests on.
Formerly known as Lake Nyasa, the great lake is the southernmost and third largest lake in the Eastern Rift Valley. It lies in a deep trough and stretches 600 kilometres long and is up to 80 kilometres wide in places.
Portuguese explorer, Caspar Boccaro, was the first European to record its existence. Dr David Livingstone, a famous British explorer and missionary, reached Lake Malawi from the south in 1859 on an expedition to find the source of the Nile.
What makes Lake Malawi so special is its enormous variety of fish species. There are close to 1 000 recorded fish species in the lake of which at least 90% belong to the family called ‘Cichlid”. It is thought that at least 500 different cichlid species date back some 2 million years.
On holiday at Lake Malawi, you might think you’ve been stranded on a magical tropical island. The palm-fringed sandy white beaches rival the likes of those found in Mauritius and the Seychelles. The lake water is crystal-clear and the lakeside surrounds are lush tropical rainforests.
It’s a popular tourist destination in Malawi for outdoor and watersport enthusiasts. The most popular activities include leisurely boat cruises, kayaking and sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving and of course, relaxing, sunbathing and swimming.
Lake Malawi provides the people of Malawi with a valuable source of income. It’s estimated that fish constitutes up to 70% of the protein diet for Malawians and Lake Malawi is well-stocked with chambo and kapenta. These two fish species are the mainstream of the fishing industry.
Lake Malawi enjoys a sub-tropical climate and is a year-round destination although it’s best to visit the great lake in the drier winter months between early May to late October.
The hot summer season in Malawi is from November to April but this is also the rainy season. If you’re wanting a splendid beach holiday in Malawi at Lake Malawi, you don’t want it ruined by torrential rain.
Winter in Malawi is between end May to early August and is generally mild and pleasant, getting cooler in the evenings the higher up the mountain plateaus you go. On the shoreline of Lake Malawi, winter days are warm, dry and sunny.
The best time to visit Malawi for a safari is in the dry winter months when the vegetation has thinned out and the animals congregate at rivers and the edges of lakes.
Avoid go on holiday to Malawi in the mid-summer months of January and February. The temperatures gets unbearably hot and humid and the risk of contracting malaria is higher. Some of the roads in the national park become impassable after a heavy downpour.
Lake Malawi National Park is a freshwater national park in Malawi that was created purely to protect the fish and aquatic habitat in Lake Malawi. It’s made up of all the idyllic bays, lakeshores, sandy beaches, headlands and granite islands of the Cape Maclear peninsular at the southern end of the lake.
It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 due to its global importance for biodiversity conservation, in particular fish diversity. Lake Malawi National Park is also renowned for its outstanding beauty, lush lakeshore vegetation and crystal-clear waters.
Lake Malawi was formed several million years and the water level has fluctuated greatly of the millennia. This has created different habitats for the cichlids which are known locally as ‘mbuna’. There are 700 recorded species of fish in Lake Malawi of which 90% are cichlids.
Nearly all of the cichlids are endemic to Lake Malawi and a few have minute ranges; only a bay or rocky islet for example or a few hundred meters of shoreline. Many are not even known to science and have not yet been formally named and described.
Lake Malawi National Park is also home to a wonderful variety of animals and birds. Common birds found on the lakeshores are the African fish eagle, white-breasted cormorants, kingfishers, hornbills, nightjars, kestrels and swallow-tailed bee-eaters.
The region is rich in history. It was discovered by Dr David Livingstone who named it Lake Nyassa. In 1875, the Scottish Presbyterian Church was built on Cape Maclear although a large baobab tree in the park is said to be Livingstone’s favourite place to give sermons and meet with other missionaries. The baobab is over 800 years old.
Cape Maclear is one of the best holiday destinations on the southern shore of Lake Malawi. It’s hugely popular for its festive atmosphere and beach bars. A number of decent backpacker establishments attract the younger travelling set.
Most places in and around Cape Maclear form part of the Lake Malawi National Park which is the world’s first freshwater nature reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This includes the offshore islands located close to Cape Maclear.
Most of the places of interest around Cape Maclear – including its offshore islands – forms part of the Lake Malawi National Park, the world’s first freshwater nature reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting hundreds of species of tropical fish.
Chizumulu Island is the smaller of the two inhabited islands in Lake Malawi. The other inhabited island is Likoma Island. Both islands belong to Malawi and make up the Likoma District. The fact Malawi owns both islands is due to them being colonised by the Anglican missionaries who spread east from Nyasaland. Mozambique was colonised at the time by the Portuguese.
The British originally claimed the entire Lake Nyasa which is now Lake Malawi. However, in 1954, they signed an agreement with Portugal which recognised the centre of Lake Malawi acted as the boundary between Malawi which belonged at the time to the British and Mozambique which belonged at the time to Portugal. This made the islands of Chizumulu and Likoma enclaves of Malawi.
Chizumulu Island is home to about 4 000 inhabitants made up mostly of fishermen and their families. The island can be reached by the MV Ilala steamer which makes weekly crossings to Chizumulu. There is virtually no infrastructure on the island and no farming industry so all food and general provisions are imported from the mainland.
A generator provides electricity on the island from 6am to 10pm with a two-hour break for lunch. There are no paved roads, rather well-constructed paths which run around the perimeter of the island. It’s takes approximately 3 hours to walk around the entire perimeter of Chizululu Island.
Two large hills dominate the interior of the island and cassava plantations most of the lower slopes of the hills. The upper parts are densely forested with scatterings of ancient baobab trees.
Very few tourists stay at Chizumulu Island because it’s so remote and difficult to get to, although it’s only located 10 kilometres as the crow flies from Likoma Island. Some tourists pop across on sailing boats but more out of curiosity than because it offers much for a Malawi holiday.
Likoma Island is the larger of the two inhabited islands in Lake Malawi. The other inhabited island in Lake Malawi is Chizumulu Island. Both belong to Malawi and make up the Likoma District. Likoma Island lies halfway up the lake just a few kilometres from Mozambique and is surrounded by Mozambican territorial water.
The island spans some 18 square kilometres. It has a high population density of about 14 500 inhabitants made up mostly of fishermen and their families but despite this, the natural resources of the island are largely unspoilt. The interior of the island is covered in open grasslands with scatterings of large baobab trees and mango trees.
The town of Mbamba is the main economic hub of the island and where you’ll find a busy street market and the famous Anglican cathedral, St Peter. It’s one of the largest churches built in Africa. Incredibly, the St Peter’s cathedral on Likoma Island is the same size as Winchester Cathedral in England.
There are no paved roads in Likoma Island and very few motor vehicles on the island. Electricity is provided by a massive generator which is turned off each evening at 10pm. There’s a small telephone network on the island and you get reliable internet connection with a 3G operator.
Likoma Island can be reached by boat or plane. Nyassa Air Taxi offers scheduled flights in small aircrafts which fly between Lilongwe and Likoma as part of a regular shuttle service for tourists and the island inhabitants.
The islands main mode of transport is provided by the MV Ilala steamer boat which makes its way around Lake Malawi. It stops at all the main settlements on the coast and at the main islands. Fisherman tend to use smaller boats called dhows which they also use to transport goods and people.
There are a few decent backpacker establishments and beach resorts on Likoma Island which operate on a true eco-tourism basis. It’s a popular holiday destination for people wanting a fabulous beach holiday with snorkeling and diving. St Peter’s cathedral is one of the main tourist attractions on Likoma Island.
The best place to stay on Likoma Island is at Kaya Mawa Lodge. It’s a beautiful beach lodge which has 12 stone-and-thatch chalets perfectly positioned overlooking the crystal-clear lake waters. Each luxury chalet is uniquely designed and decorated; ranging from a spacious 2-bedroomed family chalet to a dreamy honeymoon suite on its own private island.
Kaya Mawa Lodge is surrounded by mango trees and giant baobab trees. It’s the perfect holiday destination in Malawi for an island beach experience with loads of outdoor and watersport activities to keep everyone busy. The lodge also organises guided village and cathedral tours.
The idyllic palm-fringed town of Mangochi Lakeshore is located south of Cape Maclear and is easily accessible from both Lilongwe and Blantyre. Even though it has the greatest concentration of hotels and lodges on Lake Malawi, the beaches are unspoilt and never overcrowded.
Mangochi Lakeshore is rich in history and you’ll find a number of historical monuments in the area which date back to the beginning of the 20th century. Previously called Fort Johnston, the town was established to limit slave traffic moving northwards towards Zanzibar.
The main historical attractions at Mangochi Lakeshore include a clock tower erected in memory of Queen Victoria and a Hotchkiss gun taken from the Gwendolen which was a gun boat that patrolled Lake Nyassa from 1889 to 1940.
Next to the clocktower is a simple stone memorial that honours the 145 lives lost when the MV Viphya steamer sank in 1946. You’ll also find a museum in the town of Mangochi as well as an impressive Catholic cathedral.
Mangochi Lakeshore is popular for holidaymakers with an endless array of activities laid on by the hotels and beach lodges in the area. Each hotel in Mangochi Lakeshore has a private beach and visitors enjoy waterskiing, wake boarding, paragliding, beach volleyball. There’s even a 9-hole golf course on Mangochi Lakeshore.
The best place to stay on Mangochi Lakeshore is Club Makokola which offers semi-luxury thatched chalets in a gorgeous tropical garden setting with its own spa and massive swimming pool.
Mumbo Island is a private island situated a 30-minute boat transfer from Cape Maclear. The hotels and beach lodges on the island offer eco-friendly accommodation for the adventurous travellers who flock to the island to kayak, canoe and sail.
The isolated island is laid-back and unspoilt by commercial development. Sandy trails lead hikers through dappled forests to secret beach coves tucked between rocky granite outcrops on the magical shoreline. It’s home to giant monitor lizards and a large array of birds.
The best place to stay on Mumbo Island is the Mumbo Island Camp which is booked on an exclusive-use basis. The accommodation is eco-friendly and rustic with hot bucket showers and ‘eco loos’ but it’s wonderfully serene and the perfect escape from city life.
Mumbo Island Camp lies in an exclusive concession area which forms part of the Lake Malawi National Park. Activities on the island that Malawi holidaymakers can enjoy include the usual kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, bird watching and walking trails.
Makuzi Beach is situated on a beautiful stretch of lakeshore on Lake Malawi and is one of the best-kept secrets in the area. You have access to a completely private campsite at Makuzi Beach Lodge which is the only place to stay. It can be hired on an exclusive-use basis so the island is virtually all yours while you’re staying there.
Makuzi Beach lies on the northern shores of Lake Malawi in a secluded tropical bay which boasts an abundance of birdlife and an abundance of fish species.
The lodge itself consists of a basic restaurant and the Mphandi Kucha Bar located next to the campsite and a collection of eco-friendly semi-luxury beachfront chalets. It’s popular for private events such as a tropical beach wedding or just for the perfect beach retreat with glorious days spent swimming, fishing, kayaking, horse-riding, snorkeling and scuba diving.
Senga Bay is a beautiful bay located in the Lake Malawi National Park east of the town of Salima and less than a 2-hour drive from Lilongwe. It’s a busy tourist destination in Malawi with a range of hotels and beach resorts dotted along a broad stretch of sandy beach.
The grandest of them all is the luxurious Sunbird Livingstonia Beach and the newly-built Kumbali Lake Retreat.
Sunbird Livingstonia Beach lies on a 1-kilometre long powder-white beach known as Grand Beach. The luxury hotel is a throwback from the British colonial era but has been tastefully re-furnished and modernised to international standards.
Kumbali Lake Retreat is a magical eco-friendly lodge built on the side of Lifuwu Hill on the beautiful shores of Lake Malawi. The rustic lake retreat offers guests panoramic views of the crystal-clear lake waters and loads of activities for Malawi holidaymakers such as sunset boat cruises, kayaking, snorkeling and guided hikes.
The Shire River is a principal river in Malawi and an important landmark in the Great Rift Valley. It flows through the Shire Highlands in southern Malawi; dropping 400 metres from Lake Malawi to the border of Mozambique at Malawi’s lowest point.
The beautiful river is 402 metres long and is the only outlet of Lake Malawi. It enters Lake Malombe south of Mangochi Lakeshore and exits to flow through swampy river banks flanked by the Mangochi Hills and the Zomba Plateau to the east and the Chripa Plateau to the west.
The flow of the Shire River was always dependent on the water level of Lake Malawi and the varying volume of the Ruo River. A dam was built at Liwonde which regulates the flow from Lake Malawi through the hydroelectric stations and provides flood control to the lower reaches.
Ruo River is the largest tributary of the Shire River in southern Malawi and Mozambique. It originates from the Mulanje Massif in Malawi and forms 80 kilometres of the Malawi-Mozambique border. It joins the Shire River at Chiromo.
The Mulanje Massif is a massive monadnock in southern Malawi located about 65 kilometres east of the city of Blantyre. A monadnock is an isolated hill or small mountain which rises abruptly from a gently sloping or virtually level grassland plain. In this case, the Mulanje Massif rises sharply from the surrounding plains of Phalombe and the tea-growing district of the Mulanje district.
Also known as Mount Mulanje, the giant rock outcrop is hugely popular for hiking. The maximum elevation is just over 3 000 metres at Sapitwa Peak which is its highest point. Mount Mulanje consists mostly of rolling grasslands intersected by deep forested ravines. It has a number of individual peaks which are popular for hiking and rock climbing. This includes Chambe Peak and the West Face.
The striking mountain falls within the protected Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve. The area was declared a protected reserve to save the native Mulanje cypress tree which has been heavily logged for decades and is considered endangered. Only a few Mulanje cypress trees remain standing in the nature reserve.
Mount Mulanje is also home to a selection of animal and plant species which are endemic to the area. This includes forest butterflies, birds such as the cholo alethe and white-winged apalis, the dwarf chameleon, geckos, skinks, the squeaker frog and the rare limbless burrowing skink.
Mount Mulanje was formed by the intrusion of magma into the Earth’s crust about 130 million years ago. The surrounding rock eroded away over time, leaving behind the erosion-resistant igneous rock of the Mulanje Massif. The first European to report seeing the Massif was David Livingstone in 1859 but there is evidence of early inhabitation on the giant massif dating back to the Stone Ages.
Accommodation for hikers and rock climbers visiting Mount Mulanje is a few mountain huts scattered across the giant massif which are maintained by the Malawi Mountain Club and the Malawi Forestry Department. Sapitwa Peak was first climbed in 1894 and is now the most popular peak on the mountain for hiking and rock climbing.
Zomba Plateau is probably one of the better known destinations in Malawi mostly because it offers Malawi holidaymakers a vast array of activities ranging from walking and climbing trails to horse riding, mountain biking and trout fishing.
Located in southern Malawi, it’s an incredibly beautiful part of Malawi to visit and renowned for its magical woodlands, cascading waterfalls and crystal-clear mountain dams. It’s not as unspoilt as it used to be because it has suffered from fairly extensive deforestation in recent years but there are still some parts that have been left untouched.
The magnificent Zomba Plateau rises 1 500 metres above the surrounding grasslands and offers visitors spectacular vistas.
The city of Zomba lies at the foot of the plateau. It town was established at the end of the 19th century as the seat of the British Administration of Nyasaland. Today, Zomba is a comfortable 2-hour drive from Blantyre.
If you love nature, you’ll love the Zomba Plateau. It’s rich in fauna and flora including a vast array of exotic birds. The most popular viewing points are Emperor’s View and Queen’s View which offer hikers a magical panoramic view of southern Malawi and Mount Mulanje with Mozambique in the distance.
A popular hiking trail in Zomba Plateau is the Potato Trail which is a historic path used by villagers who took their potatoes down the plateau to sell in Zomba. It takes about an hour to walk down the path from the top to the town of Zomba.
The Viphya Plateau forms the spine of central and northern Malawi, snaking through valley with open savanna grasslands, rural towns and white-powder beaches on either side. It’s renowned for its spectacular Viphya Forest which is one of the largest man-made forests in Africa.
Spanning a forested area of 560 square kilometres, the Viphya Plateau is popular as a wild and unspoilt destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The best place to stay on the Viphya Plateau is Luwawa Forest Lodge. It’s the ideal base for hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, abseiling, trail walking, canoeing and orienteering
Luwawa Forest Lodge overlooks the pristine Luwawa Dam which is a great for a fishing holiday in Malawi. The Luwawa Dam is well-stocked with wide-mouth bream. The forest area is home to the endangered samango monkey and an array of birds such as the scaly francolin, olive woodpecker and the red-face crimson-wing.
Something special to do in Malawi is the Luwawa Mountain wilderness trail which is a 3-day hike of the Kawandama Mountain through dense indigenous forests and down to Kande Beach Resort on the shores of Lake Malawi. You can do the same trail on horseback with the Viphya and Tremendous Horse Trails company.
Liwonde National Park is one of 9 national parks and wildlife reserves in Malawi. It was established in 1973 and is home to a wonderful array of fauna and flora. The national park is untouched and unspoilt by commercial development and is by far the best national park in Malawi for a safari tour.
The national park lies is located at the southern tip of Lake Malombe in the south of Malawi. It’s not well known internationally as a Big 5 safari destination but it’s worth a visit if you’re on holiday in Malawi because it teems with animals and birds.
The reason Liwonde National Park is so special for a Malawi safari is because the Shire River runs through the national park. The mighty river lies on the western boundary of the Liwonde National Park and is a magnet for thirsty animals. You’ll also find an incredible array of birds on the area, particularly migrant water birds who flock to the verdant river banks.
Relatively dry mopane woodlands cover the eastern half of Liwonde National Park and patches of miombo woodland covers the southern region.
The best way to get Liwonde National Park is by boat via the Shire River. Enroute, you’ll see large herds of elephant and buffalo on the floodplains as well as an abundance of plains game. A special feature of the national park is it is home to a sanctuary that runs a breeding project for black rhino.
Nyika National Park is located in northern Malawi on the Zambian border. It’s falls within the Nyika Plateau which extends from the northern reaches of Malawi into the eastern-most tip of Zambia. The national park covers the whole of the Nyika Plateau.
Located about 480 kilometres north of Lilongwe, access to the national park is via a single dirt road that branches up the south-western scarp of the Nyika Plateau and continues over the top. The park boundary comes within 35 kilometres of Livingstonia but there is no access from the eastern side.
The name Nyika means “where the water comes from”. The name is derived from the fact the plateau’s elevation makes it wetter than the surrounding grasslands. The national park is often shrouded in cloud in both the rainy and dry season.
Persistent moisture at such an high altitude creates diverse habitats suitable for a wide variety of plants and animals that have adapted to the wetter conditions. This includes over 200 types of wild orchids. You’ll also find an incredibly rich array of wildflowers throughout the year but especially in the rainy months from January to April.
The Nyika Plateau is popular for horse riding, hiking and mountain bike trails as well as 4×4 excursions and birdwatching. The Nyika National Park is home to a selection of large antelope that favour the montane vegetation and zebra are common further up the plateau. It had one of the highest densities of leopards in Central Africa but the numbers have been reduced with diminishing numbers of wildlife in the area.
Majete Game Reserve is one of three protected wildlife reserves in southern Malawi and is located a comfortable 2 hour drive from the city of Blantyre. Spanning some 14 000 hectares, the Majete Game Reserve has been taken over by a wildlife conservation group called African Parks and is being extensively rehabilitated and restocked.
Thousands of animals have been reintroduced to the area in a massive animal translocation project. This includes nearly 200 elephants as well as lion, leopard, black rhino, buffalo, zebra, sable antelope, eland, waterbuck, nyala, hartebeest and kudu.
It’s popularity as a Big 5 destination in Africa is growing. Elephant tracking, game drives, guided bush walks and waterfall walks are popular activities when staying at the Majete Game Reserve. For accommodation in Majete Game Reserve, you have the choice of luxury accommodation at Mkulumadzi Camp or more rustic accommodation at Thawale Lodge.
Kasungu National Park is a 2 100-square kilometre park located in the western-central region of Malawi, close to the border of Zambia and 160 kilometres from the city of Lilongwe.
The national park is well known as an outstanding birding destination and renowned for its incredible fauna and flora. There’s a thriving population of elephants in Kasungu National Park and decent numbers of leopard, civet cats, genets and jackal which have returned to the area in recent years.
The best place to stay in Kasungu National Park is Lifupa Conservation Lodge. The eco-friendly lodge is affordable, clean and comfortable.
The Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve is a 1 800 square kilometre nature reserve that’s a rugged woodland terrain and home to elephant, buffalo and lion. The vegetation is lush and dense which is very scenic but makes game viewing quite difficult.
The main attraction at Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve is walking safaris, bird watching and canoe safaris on the beautiful Bua River. It’s not well-known as a Big 5 safari destination in Africa but rather for its unspoilt wilderness and perfect peace and tranquility.
The Ntchisi Forest Reserve is about 75 square kilometres of magical forested terrain located in the magnificent Ntchisi Mountains. This is an extremely remote area with only scatterings of human settlements.
Ntchisi Forest Reserve is better known for its outstanding variety of plants which includes species of orchids, wild mushrooms, exotic fruit trees and strangling figs. Small rural coffee plantations thrive in the wetter parts of the surrounding area that fall within a lush rainforest.
The Ntchisi Forest Reserve is a comfortable two-hour drive from Lilongwe.
Lilongwe has been the capital city and political and economic hub of Malawi since 1975. Previously, Zomba was the capital of Malawi but the country’s first president, Dr Hastings Banda, moved the administrative and legislative seats to Lilongwe which is located just north of where he was born.
Lilongwe is divided into Old Town in the south and New Town in the north. The Old Town has the appearance of a traditional African city while New Town is a 20th century city centre with modern infrastructure and urban developments. You’ll find bustling street markets in Old Town and upmarket glossy shopping centres in New Town.
The Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary lies between Old Town and New towns and within the sanctuary is the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre. It was established to safekeep rescued, orphaned and injured animals as well as serves as an education centre for wildlife conservation and tourism.
There’s a wide range of hotels in Lilongwe including the long-established Sunbird properties. The 11-floor 5-star President Walmont Hotel dominates the city skyline while in the heart of Old Town you’ll find the old Imperial Hotel which has been completely refurbished and reopened as the Kiboko Town Hotel in Malawi.
BLANTYRE
Blantyre is a city in the Shire Highlands in southern Malawi. It’s renowned for its British colonial architecture and an array of scenic parks and wildlife reserves in the area. The city is home to 1 million inhabitants and is an important commercial hub.
The city of Blantyre started as a missionary settlement in the 1876 and was named after the Scottish town where the legendary missionary David Livingstone was born. It’s the oldest municipality in Malawi and a city rich in history.
The Museum of Malawi is located on Chichiri Hills and showcases the natural history and ethnography of Malawi. Colonial Mandala House was built in 1882 and houses the Society of Malawi Library and Archive.
KARONGA
Karonga is a major lakeside town situated in northern Malawi close to the border of Tanzania. It’s not a resort town that you’ll go to on holiday in Malawi but you’ll probably see yourself overnighting in Karonga as it’s ideally located to a few of the major tourist destinations in Malawi.
Karonga was an infamous slave-trading centre in the 19th century and the city museum captures a lot of this brutal history. The area is also famous for the huge collection of Malawisaurus remains that were found in the area. This was an ancient species of lizard which roamed the region centuries ago.
MZUZU
Mzuzu is the largest settlement in northern Malawi and the industrial capital of the region. It’s experienced rapid growth in the past two decades although it offers a limited selection of decent accommodation. You’ll pass through the town of Mzuzu enroute to Nyika National Park or on your way to the Tanzanian border.
Mzuzu is the place to stock up before heading on holiday to the northern banks of Lake Malawi or to the man-made Viphya Forest.
You can do Malawi in style or with nothing more than a scruffy backpack and a Malawi map in your pocket. Malawi accommodation ranges from rustic camping spots and backpacker establishments in the shores of Lake Malawi to luxury safari lodges in the national parks and stunning beach lodges on the islands of Lake Malawi.
A honeymoon in Malawi might not be the first thing you think of when making your wedding plans but it’s a magical destination to consider; not only because places like Lake Malawi are breathtakingly-beautiful but also because you can enjoy a wonderful ‘sea and safari’ honeymoon at a fraction of the cost elsewhere at the more popular safari destinations in Africa.
If you’re looking for a decent hotel in Malawi for a stopover in the big cities and towns or the perfect hideaway on a deserted island in Lake Malawi, the choice are endless. We’ve selected a handful that standout as leading lodges and hotels in Malawi.
President Walmont Hotel
This luxury hotel is located in the Umozdi Park business centre in Lilongwe close to Bingu Wa Mutharika International Convention Centre. It’s 25 kilometres from Lilongwe International Airport and 3 kilometres from the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre.
The President Walmont Hotel is the only 5-star hotel in Malawi. It’s a lavish modern hotel with features such a fine-dining restaurant, gym, spa and terrace restaurant.
Kumbali Country Lodge
Kumbali Country Lodge is a private lodge situated on a 650 hectare forest reserve and dairy farm in Lilongwe, Malawi. Only 10 minutes from the capital city along a quiet traffic-free road. Stylish, relaxed and informal, it is the perfect stopover to other travel destinations such as Lake Malawi.
Kumbali Lake Retreat
Kumbali Lake Retreat is a new eco-friendly lodge on the beautiful shores of Lake Malawi. It’s owned and run by the same family who own Kumbali Country Lodge in Lilongwe. The property is built into the side of Lifuwu Hill which is home to the indigenous Samanga Monkey.
Guests have the choice of 4 semi-luxury thatched chalets each with a private outdoor lavatory and hot water shower, private khonde, walk-in mosquito nets, double or twin beds, ample storage space and breathtaking views of the iconic Lake Malawi.
Latitude 13 Hotel
Latitude 13° Hotel is nestled in the leafy lanes on the northern edge of Malawi’s capital city, Lilongwe. The luxury hotel is a 20-minute drive from Kamuzu International Airport. It’s one of the funkiest hotels in Malawi; it’s beautifully decorated and has a sophisticated friendly ambiance.
Protea Hotel Blantyre Ryalls
Protea Hotel Blantyre Ryalls is located in the central business district of Blantyre and the perfect stopover enroute to Lake Malawi or for a business trip. It’s an easy 15-minute drive from Blantyre International Airport. What makes the hotel in Blantyre so popular is it’s one of the most technologically-advanced hotels in Malawi and is short walk from the best restaurants in Blantyre.
Sunbird Livingstonia Beach Hotel
This premier hotel in Malawi is situated opposite Bird Island on the Salima shores of Lake Malawi on a 1 kilometre stretch of private beach. It’s a 2-hour drive from Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe.
There are plenty of things to do on a holiday at Sunbird Livingstonia Beach Hotel. It’s situated on the shores of Senga Bay which is renowned for its beauty, tranquility and fun activities.
Pumulani Lake Lodge
Pumulani Lake Lodge is a modern luxury lodge set high on a lush hill overlooking the magnificent crystal-clear waters of Lake Malawi. It’s renowned for its panoramic views, exciting watersport activities and excellent service.
Sunbird Nkopola Lodge
Sunbird Nkopola Lodge is located on the pristine shoreline of Lake Malawi close to a popular fishing village called Nkopola. The views for the beach lodge are breathtaking and there’s a range of fun watersport activities available to keep the whole family busy.
The Makokola Retreat
The Makokola Retreat is situated in lush gardens on the shores of southern Lake Malawi. The stunning beach lodge is located just north of Mangochi Lakeshore and only a few kilometres from Boadzulu Island. Affectionately known as Club Mak, it’s the perfect lakeshore holiday retreat to combine with a wonderful Malawi safari.
Lukwe Eco-Camp & Organic Gardens
Lukwe means ‘a place of natural beauty’ and this aptly describes the beautiful setting of Lukwe Eco-Camp & Organic Gardens. The eco-friendly loge is perched on the side of a hill overlooking a magical valley where the Manchewe Falls and Kazichi Falls plunge 80 metres below into a deep and untamed gorge. The views from Luke Eco-Camp are magnificent and the surroundings are lush and tranquil.
Kaya Mawa
Kaya Mawa is one of the most popular beach resorts in Lake Malawi and renowned for its beautiful setting and fun outdoor and watersport activities. Built on the stunning Likoma Island which is situated in the middle of Lake Malawi, the lodge offers guests complete indulgence and relaxation. The island features include white sandy beaches and warm, calm waters as well as baobab and mango tree forests.
Huntingdon House
Huntingdon House is located on Satemwa Tea Estate in the Thyolo District. It’s a family-run establishment that was the private home of the fourth-generation Kay family. Situated on a working tea estate, the magnificent colonial estate home offers guests a ‘home from home’ experience in luxurious, spacious accommodation.
Tongole Wilderness Lodge
The Tongole Wilderness Lodge is the only upmarket luxury safari lodge in the beautiful Nkhotakota Reserve. Situated in a pristine bushveld setting, the views are magnificent and the facilities are outstanding. The Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve lies in eastern Malawi only a short 30-kilometre drive from the western shores of Lake Malawi. It’s the oldest and least-developed protected wildlife area in Malawi and unspoilt by commercial development.
Malawi is a beautiful country with incredible natural resources and warm and friendly people. Affectionately known as the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’, Malawi travel offers visitors a combination of unspoilt wilderness regions and idyllic lakeside retreats.
It’s the perfect destination for a ‘sea & safari’ holiday in Africa. It’s relatively cheap and safe to visit. It’s a poor country burdened by poverty and neglected infrastructure but the country has a ‘heart of gold’ and you’ll fall in love with its beauty, tranquility and people.
Malawi weather is divided into two main seasons:
Malawi has a sub-tropical climate and it’s a year-round destination. The cooler months between May to September are more comfortable for people on holiday in Malawi from the colder northern hemisphere. Summer between November and April is lush and green but can be unbearable hot and humid, particularly for overseas visitors not used to those high temperatures.
January to March is a very wet season and many lakeshore lodges are closed because roads to the lodges are impassable.
April to October in Malawi is warm, clear and dry with intermittent rainfall in April. It’s the perfect time to visit the luxury lodges in Lake Malawi and the safari lodges in the national parks of Malawi. When the weather in Malawi is dry, that’s the best time to go on a Malawi safari because the thick grass has thinned out and the animals are thirsty and congregate on the edges of lakes and rivers.
If you’re heading to Lake Malawi for a sailing holiday, the best time to go is in July or August which is the windy season in Malawi. It’s not windy every day on the lake but that’s the time when heavy gusts of wind do sweep through the area.
Lake Malawi is calmest between November and March during the summer rainy season. This is the best time to go on holiday to Lake Malawi if you’re keen to snorkel or scuba dive.
Most international airlines fly into Lilongwe International Airport via Nairobi in Kenya or Johannesburg in South Africa.
Air Malawi is the national airline operating in Malawi. It provides a fairly reliable foreign and domestic service; mainly operating out of Lilongwe International Airport and Chileka Airport which is located just north of Blantyre.
There are also daily regional flights from the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia which arrive in Lilongwe. Malawi tourists catch connecting charter flights to their hotels and lodges in Lake Malawi.
The major tour operators in Malawi and hotel groups offer road transfers from Lilongwe and Blantyre to Lake Malawi, Liwonde, the Zomba Plateau and the Nyika National Park.Light aircraft charters take guests to destinations further afield such as the Nyika Plateau and Likoma Island.
Getting around Malawi using public transport is challenging and not recommended. Minibuses are a cheap method of transportation but they mainly operate in the big cities and towns and they’re notoriously unreliable because they don’t operate on a set schedule.
Avoid using the public bus system. It’s generally overcrowded and a very unpleasant experience if you’re not used to jam-packed public transport in Africa.
Ecoride is Malawi’s own version of Uber. It was launched in 2018 and only operates in Lilongwe and Blantyre at the moment. It works on the same basis as Uber using a mobile app platform. Compared to the regular taxis in the main cities, Ecoride is more affordable.
Most leading hotels in Malawi offer a pick-up and drop-off services for guests arriving and departing from the international airports in Lilongwe and Blantyre.
You also have the option of using a reputable car rental company to hire a car to get around the city and to the major tourist attractions in the area.
MONEY & CREDIT CARDS
The official currency of Mozambique is the Malawian kwacha.
South African Rand and US Dollars can be exchanged at banks in the major towns and cities in Malawi.
The large and popular Malawi hotels and lodges accept credit cards. Diner’s Card are generally not accepted in Malawi.
MALAWI VISA REQUIREMENTS
You are required to bring:
All travellers need to be in possession of a passport that’s valid for at least 6 months after the intended date of departure. There should also be at least 2-3 empty pages available in your passport.
No visitor to Malawi may stay in the country for longer than 30 days without prior permission. The initial 30-day permit can be extended for an additional 60 days if required.
Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. It’s recommended that you consult online with the High Commission of Malawi to double-check visa requirements.
Planning a trip to Malawi
First, check the current validity of your passport. Make sure your passport has blank Visa pages.
Second, confirm whether you need a visa for Malawi or are exempt
Finally, confirm if a transit visa is required for any connections.
VACINATIONS FOR MALAWI
It’s recommended that everyone travelling to Malawi should be up-to-date with their general vaccinations. This should cover immunisation for polio, tetanus, typhoid and the hepatitis strains.
If you’re arriving from or have travelled through a yellow fever zone prior to arriving in Malawi, you need to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
HEALTH & SAFETY TIPS FOR MALAWI
The healthcare system in Malawi is burdened by shortages of medical supplies and personnel, in particular experienced doctors. The state hospitals in Malawi have one of the highest patient-to-physician ratio and you’ll find yourself waiting for hours to be seen by a doctor.
It’s highly recommended that tourists seek treatment at a private hospital or clinic in Malawi that has the medical expertise and supplies to treat general illnesses and injuries. For a more serious medical condition or serious injury, you should seek immediate medical treatment at a private hospital in South Africa.
For this reason, it’s highly recommended that you take out travel insurance for a holiday in Malawi that covers medical treatments and medical evacuations.
Mwaiwathu Private Hospital is a 64-bed hospital located in Blantyre in the southern region of Malawi. Opened in 1998 it has grown to be Malawi’s leading specialist hospital renowned both locally and internationally. The hospital has highly trained personnel and uses high-tech modern equipment to ensure delivery of greater value service.
Malaria
Malawi is one of the serious diseases you are at risk of contracting in Malawi if you don’t take the necessary precautions to prevent falling ill. Malaria is a life-threatening disease and can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated in time.
Firstly, it’s highly recommended that you take anti-malaria tablets. Consult your doctor or a travel clinic for more information.
Secondly, take the usual precautions to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes. This includes using an effective insect repellent, sleeping under a mosquito net and wearing long sleeve shirts, long pants and socks and shoes in the evening when mosquitoes are active.
Should you experience any of the typical malaria symptoms within 10 days of arriving in the country, seek immediate medical treatment at a private hospital that’s equipped to treat malaria. Malaria should be suspected if you experience any flu-like symptoms after a holiday in a malaria area.
The first symptoms of malaria are usually very similar to flu; aches and pains, fever and headache. After a few days, the typical paroxysms may occur; chills followed firstly by a high fever for a few hours and then by profuse sweating.
HIV/AIDS
The incidence of HIV/AIDS in Malawi is high. One in seven people in Malawi are infected with HIV.
Malawi has one of the highest HIV prevalences in the world despite the impressive progress the country has made in controlling its HIV epidemic in recent years. Young people are particularly at risk, due to early sexual activity and marriage, with 50% of new HIV infections affecting those aged 15 to 17 in Malawi.
GENERAL WELL-BEING
Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water in Malawi. Avoid drinking tap water, particularly in remote and rural areas where water might be unsafe to drink. Buy bottled water from restaurants, hotels and shops.
Diarrhea is a common ailment when travelling in Malawi and can be brought on by anything from poor water to spicy foods and dehydration. Carry anti-diarrhea medicine in your medical kit and in extreme cases seek medical attention at a local clinic or hospital.
If diarrhoea is combined with nausea, vomiting, cramps, fever or blood in the stool; you’ll need a course of antibiotics to treat it.
To stay healthy and well in Malawi, follow these basic precautions:
SWIMMING IN MALAWI
Swimming in most bays in Lake Malawi is safe; swimming in the Shire River is suicidal. In fact, swimming in any river in Malawi is not recommended because they’re full of crocodiles and hippos.
There are a few rules to follow if you plan to swim, snorkel or scuba dive in Lake Malawi:
BILHARZIA
Bilharzia is found in tropical areas and cases of the disease are regularly recorded in Lake Malawi, particularly the southern section.
Schistosomiasis (the medical term for Bilharzia) is a parasitic infection caused by Schistosoma worms. Infection occurs through direct contact with contaminated fresh water where certain snails may harbour the infection. Larval forms of the worm are released from these snails into fresh water and may penetrate human skin and migrate to internal organs.
Travellers are at risk if they wade, swim or have other contact with fresh water from lakes or rivers in areas where schistosomiasis is common. Infection may cause no symptoms, but early symptoms can include a rash and itchy skin (‘swimmer’s itch’), fever, chills, cough or muscle aches. If not treated, it can cause serious long term health problems such as intestinal or bladder disease.
Travellers should also drink safe water which is either boiled, filtered or bottled to prevent contracting bilharzia.
If you’re concerned that you may have been infected with bilharzia on a trip to Malawi, a simple blood screening test can be done when you return home. Fortunately, bilharzia is easy to treat with tablets. The people most at risk of developing chronic schistosomiasis in Malawi are poor locals who don’t have access to modern medicine.
YELLOW FEVER
There is no risk of yellow fever in Malawi.
Malawi is one of the safest countries to visit in Africa. The country doesn’t suffer from a high and violent crime rate but you may fall victim to petty crime and typical tourist scams such as card skimming and credit card fraud. Be vigilante and use common sense on a Malawi holiday.
The obvious travel tips are:
LGBT IN MALAWI
Homosexuality in Malawi is illegal. It’s punishable by up to 14 years in prison although prosecutions were suspended in 2012. The laws that prohibit same-sex relations and marriages are rarely enforced and in particular, never applied to tourists on holiday in Malawi.
As a general rule in Malawi, your sexual preferences and gender identity is regarded as private business. However, your behaviour in public is expected to be appropriate. Public displays of same-sex affection might offend someone and you might receive a warning for what they call “breaching the peace”.