Why I love Malawi

Beautiful Malawi, the 'warm heart of Africa' is home to friendly people, amazing wildlife & gorgeous landscapes from the huge freshwater Lake Malawi to the lofty peaks of Mulanje Mountain. 

I was lucky enough to visit on a small group camping trip. Despite the slight concern about how hungry the wildlife might be, it gave me a fascinating insight into a country I knew very little about before. Here is why I loved it so much.

Lake Malawi

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the third largest lake in Africa occupying approx. 20% of Malawi, with gorgeous beach resorts, enticing waters & a myriad of water based activities. We explored by boat visiting stunning uninhabited islands, relaxed on the golden sandy beaches & swam in the clear freshwater. The lake is home to more species of fish than in any other lake in the world making snorkelling a great option here. 

Wildlife 

Whilst other destinations are much better known for safari, it is possible to see the Big 5 - elephant, lion, buffalo, black rhino & leopard here. Your best bet is the Majete Wildlife Reserve, also home to giraffe, eland, zebra, hyena & cheetah. You can take game drives, boat safaris or walking safaris to explore this amazing 700 square kilometre reserve. 

Liwonde National Park is located along the Shire River, dotted with hippos wallowing in the shallows. You can also see elephant, impala, crocodile, & a plethora of birds making this a great wildlife destination. With excellent lodges & expert guides, a visit here should definitely be on your list.      

Enquire with us & let's create your holiday to Malawi

What else is there to see?

The lake & the national parks & reserves may be what bring visitors to Malawi however there is so much more.

• Explore the highlands of Mulanje, home to the highest mountain which gives the region its name, for plenty of hiking trails
• Discover the waterfalls, lakes & streams of the tree-covered Zomba plateau or Nyika National Park for hiking, biking or just enjoy the spectacular scenery as you drive through
• Admire the rock art at Chongoni, a collection of natural shelters with ancient rock art, some dating back to the late Stone Age 
• Wander the streets of the old town of capital, Lilongwe, barter in the busy colourful markets or visit the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, which is the only sanctuary for injured or rescued wild animals in Malawi. 

Amazing People

The welcoming friendly people really set Malawi apart for me as we were greeted with smiles & hellos everywhere we went. We visited a local village, where we met lots of excited children all delighted to see us. I tried out some of the local language which was greeted with good natured laughter. Natural interactions like this were absolute the highlight for me. 

Our tour also included Zambia which is a wonderful combination particularly with South Luangwa National Park. Camping is not mandatory, there are plenty of other accommodation options from budget hotels to the most luxurious of lodges. We recommend visiting June to August, with average temperatures in the mid 20's. 

Complete the enquiry form to start your adventure in Malawi.