Malawi, often described as the ‘Warm Heart Of Africa’, is a truly spectacular destination for those seeking a quintessential African vacation. This relatively little-known gem offers a unique combination of attractions: wildlife, culture, adventure, and stunning scenery. The legendary welcome is there for all who wish to experience the unrivalled combination of Lake, Landscape, Wildlife & Culture in one of Africa's most beautiful and compact countries.
Malawi’s tourist industry is vital to the overall economy of the country and supports huge numbers of local Malawians through employment and community projects, as well as helping conserve the country’s natural riches. As it attempts to recover from the damage caused by COVID-19, and continue in its important role, the industry is doing all it can to ensure the well-being of its visitors. A set of national COVID-19 Health & Safety protocols for tourism has been established, that have resulted in the award of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Safe Travels Stamp.
Host to incredible national parks, beautiful lodgings and sought-after wildlife, there is a never-ending supply of Malawi tourist attractions. Here are some of the best things to do on your trip to Malawi:
1. Lake Malawi: A Fifth of the Country's Beauty
Taking up a full fifth of the country, Lake Malawi has lovely sand beaches and calm clear water filled with so many colorful fish that it often feels like you’re swimming in a giant aquarium. Considered one of the best places in Malawi, there are many ways to experience the magic of the lake. Snorkeling, diving, sailing, or kayaking top the list of activities for one of the top vacations in Malawi.
One of my favourite things to do in Malawi was to watch the gorgeous sunsets over Lake Malawi. The lake is alive with a colorful abundance of little cichlid fish.
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At villages along the length of the lake, the best of the unostentatious lodges blend in with the surroundings. They offer the simple pleasure of grilled fish, such as the ubiquitous chambo (a freshwater tilapia), with chips and proximity to the water. Settlements like Cape Maclear have some great Malawian-owned lodges, allowing you to give back in a direct way, and the community has a project so you can eat with local people and buy their handmade products. Nkhata Bay is the hippest and most sociable town on the lake.
Lake Malawi’s fishers use canoes dug out from tree trunks, and their distinctive shape is a lake icon, reproduced in carvings and curios. At lakeside settlements such as Senga Bay, you can arrange a boat trip, best timed to end with the glow of the lake at sunset.
2. Liwonde National Park: A Wildlife Haven
When deciphering where to go in Malawi for the best game viewing experience, look no further than Liwonde National Park. You have a good chance of seeing large herds of elephant, different species of antelope and an incredible variety of birds.
This incredible national park needs to be more recognized. This is not the spot where you’ll check off all the “big five” from your wishlist, but there is an absolute wealth of wildlife here. Crocodiles, hippos, waterbucks, sables, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, elephants, black rhinoceros, and many more animals are abundant. Cheetahs were reintroduced here in 2017 (the first wild cheetahs in the country for more than 20 years) and lions in 2018.
Set on the banks of the wide Shire River, Liwonde National Park offers fabulous wildlife viewing. A stay in one of the lodges within the park boundaries brings you within thrilling - and occasionally terrifying - proximity to nature. Many of the lodges have regular nightly visits from elephants, who chew the thatch on the lodge roofs as you attempt to sleep. Another unforgettable experience is a boat trip past yawning, diving hippos.
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Stay at Mvuu Lodge and go on early morning bush walks with friendly and knowledgeable guides, enjoy boat safaris on the croc-and-hippo-dotted Shire River, and in the evenings, watch wildlife at the water's edge from the comfort of your viewing deck.
3. Majete Wildlife Reserve: Home to the Big 5
Only 70 km south-west of Blantyre, Malawi’s commercial capital, this 70 000-hectare conservation area sits in the Lower Shire Valley and has recently added lions to its already impressive list of large mammals. The little-visited reserve now boasts the Big 5 as well as zebra, hippo, crocodile and many species of antelope.
After decades of poaching to virtual local extinction, the wildlife at Majete has made an astonishing recovery, thanks to the management of the African Parks conservation organization, which ringed the park with a high fence. With the reintroduction of lions, the park is now a prime destination for seeing the Big Five (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffaloes), as well as skittering warthogs, impalas and waterbuck.
There are just two lodges in Majete, and our top pick is Mkulumadzi Lodge known for its luxurious chalets and first-rate service.
4. Mount Mulanje: Hiking in the Sky
At just over 3 000m, Mount Mulanje is Central Africa's highest peak. This granite mountain range is where to go in Malawi for a fantastic hiking experience and sensational views of the surroundings.
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Mulanje is the third highest mountain on the African continent, a granite massif cut with deep fissures that soars above the surrounding tea estates: it is aptly dubbed the Island in the Sky. With its wooded ravines, high waterfalls, river pools and 20 separate peaks, Mt Mulanje is strikingly beautiful and imposing.
Situated just 65 km east of Blantyre, Mount Mulanje is host to a network of trails winding through tea plantations and cedar tree forests, as well as spectacular waterfalls tumbling into icy rock pools - perfect for a refreshing dip!
Plenty of well-organized guiding operations can help you make the tough 3000m (9842ft) ascent to the high peaks, and you can stay in simple mountain huts linked by looping trails. There are excellent climbing opportunities, as well as a multitude of hiking routes.
5. Lilongwe: Exploring the Capital City
Malawi's capital Lilongwe is a well-laid-out city divided into New Town (to the north) and Old Town (to the south). The former has smart hotels, embassies and offices, while the latter has the central market, outdoor cafés and lively restaurants, making it the more interesting area to explore while visiting Malawi.
Most travellers to Malawi only have a brief glimpse of the city while flying in or out of the country, but spending a day in Lilongwe is definitely worthwhile. Visit the market on Malangalanga Road, or look into some of the Indian spice and cloth shops for a bargain or two!
There’s a lot to see and do in Lilongwe! At the top of my list is the Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary. The Lilongwe Wildlife Trust operates the nature sanctuary and is the only one of its kind in the country. It’s a remarkable green space in the city’s heart and worth visiting.
6. Nyika National Park: Rolling Grasslands and Wildlife
Nyika National Park is Malawi's biggest reserve and offers a unique landscape of high-rolling grasslands and forested valleys. Day and night game drives provide visitors with the incredible chance to see herds of roan antelope, eland and zebra, as well as nocturnal creatures such as hyena, jackal and serval.
The park also offers hiking and mountain biking as a great way to take in the magnificent views and appreciate the solitude and space, while breaking a sweat.
7. Zomba: A City with a View
Zomba, the former capital of Malawi, has a bustling town center and grand old buildings - their corners now softened by moss and ferns - and is considered one of the top tourist attractions in Malawi. The colorful city market is worth a morning's browse, but Zomba's real beauty lies further up the slopes on the Zomba Plateau: a forested table-top mountain crisscrossed by streams and woodland trails.
Walk to the regally-named lookout points of Queen's View and Emperor's View, or simply sit back and enjoy afternoon tea on the terrace of the Ku-Chawe Hotel, perched on the edge of the plateau.
Zomba has no standout attractions, but it makes a lovely place to spend a few days, especially in combination with hikes on the plateau that looms over the town. Zomba has some good eating places and a backpacker lodge that’s a classic traveler hub, and the market sells pretty chitenge (brightly colored cloth) from which local tailors can create bespoke garments for you.
8. Cape Maclear: Snorkeling and Relaxation
For decades, Cape Maclear was the spot for overlanders looking for mid-way rest on the Cape-to-Cairo route. With its gorgeous clear waters and host of little restaurants and guesthouses, it’s easy to see why this small town on the edge of Lake Malawi was so trendy.
These days, Cape Maclear isn’t the only act in town, so to speak, and travellers are spoiled for choice when it comes to tourist-friendly spots. But the Cape is just as pretty and relaxing as ever and remains one of the best snorkelling and diving spots in southern Africa.
Away from the upmarket safari lodges, Malawi has some fantastically earthy accommodation options. Lakeside Cape Maclear is a great place to sample local life: at affordable lodges such as beachfront Warm Heart with its simple but attractive thatched huts you’ll swim alongside fisher folk. Take a boat trip to Thumbi Island to snorkel with brightly colored fish and watch eagles dive, then kayak along the lake shore as the sun begins to set. Simple local restaurants offer variations on chambo (fish) and chips, and at central Hiccups bar you can down a beer or two and have a dance.
9. Likoma Island: Escape to Paradise
Lake Malawi is the heart and soul of the country, and lakeshore communities (like Cape Maclear) are vibrant, bustling destinations supported by fishing and tourism. But a lot is happening ON the lake as well. Likoma Island is close to Mozambique, so close that you can see the shore, but the island is decidedly Malawian, relaxed, friendly, and deliciously beautiful.
Likoma Island has some of the finest sunsets I’ve ever seen, gorgeous flowers, great bars, a stunning cathedral (the legacy of David Livingston’s influence), and spectacular baobab trees. The vibe on Likoma Island was very young and hip (or teenagers are just way cooler than me worldwide).
Once travelers get to little Likoma Island, they often find it hard to leave the sandy beaches and interior lush with baobab and mango trees. In this remote place, the unexpectedly vast Cathedral of St Peter is the top sight. Kaya Mawa Lodge is one of the most attractive accommodations, with stone rooms and timber terraces opening onto beaches for stunning sundown views. The island has a good scattering of affordable rest houses too.
10. Lilongwe Wildlife Centre: Rescuing Wild Animals
The country’s capital city isn’t the most characterful place in Malawi, but if you’re looking for interesting things to do in Lilongwe, the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre belongs at the top of your list. Located in a dense tangle of woodland that cuts an attractive green swathe through the city, the center is dedicated to rehabilitating baboons, servals, bushpigs and hyenas and returning them to the wild whenever possible.
It provides a wonderful educational experience for visitors and is a pleasant respite from Lilongwe’s rather scattered streets, with beautiful walking trails and an excellent cafe.
A raised boardwalk made from recycled plastic leads you through the trees and away from the crocs which have been known to meander the paths here - a reminder that this is a truly wild city. A good cafe and an excellent craft stall round off a top-notch visitor experience.
Additional Activities and Tips
- Visit Dedza Pottery: Charming hand-painted Malawi-inspired designs, factory tours available.
- Shop The Mzuzu Market: A vibrant market with a cosmopolitan vibe, great for clothing and fabrics.
- Appreciate History In Mangochi: Explore the town's past as a slave market and colonial center.
- Shop For Carvings: Find wooden handicrafts and signature chief’s chairs in every size.
Malawi offers experiences and accommodations from low-budget through to high-end. The country is a wonderful destination for lovers of the outdoors. Vast Lake Malawi is alive with a colorful abundance of little cichlid fish, lofty Mulanje lures hikers up its wooded slopes and the sweeping national parks have seen a heartening wildlife resurgence.
Here's a guide to local prices in USD:
| Item | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Beachside thatched lodge (per night) | $30-90+ |
| Coach ticket Lilongwe-Blantyre | $6 |
| All-inclusive luxury safari lodge stay | $400+ |
| Tailor-made suit | $15 |
| Samosa snack | $1 |
| Dinner for two | $25 |
| Heineken "green" beer at the bar | $2 |
Malawi’s tagline is "the warm heart of Africa," and while this sounds like a cliché it also rings true: the welcome you receive in this small southeast African country is as much a part of the experience as sundowner Malawi gins on the beach or the heartstopping sight of huge elephant herds and watchful cheetahs.
When to Visit: Most visitors travel to Malawi between May and September, when the weather is generally temperate. In October the heat can get intense, but it’s a lovely time to see wildflowers on the high and cool Nyika Plateau. The "emerald season" in April sees Malawi at its greenest after heavy rains, though bear in mind that denser foliage may impede your wildlife-viewing opportunities.
How to Get Around: Travelers to Malawi arrive at the airport in Lilongwe or Blantyre. A fairly reliable coach network connects the main urban centers. The antique MV Ilala ferry plies up the lake linking its major settlements, and is a wonderfully scenic way to travel without the stress of driving.
"Malawi: The Warm Heart of Africa | Discover Stunning Landscapes & Rich Culture"
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