Malawi is not always the first place you think of for a safari or holiday in Africa, but it really should be considered as it has plenty to offer. Perhaps best suited to Africa addicts or return visitors, it offers a huge range of scenery and activities.
The cliche of Malawi being the "Warm heart of Africa" is actually true! Incredibly friendly people, a good climate, a gorgeous lake and some great wildlife ... what more could you want from a holiday in Africa?
The scenery here is diverse, from the cool northern plateaus to the hot Shire Valley floor in the south, Africa's Great Rift Valley has created a huge range of habitats and geology in this beautiful country. Lake Malawi makes up a large portion of the country and as such, many tourist lodges are located around the water, which also sustains the majority of Malawis indigenous people, who fish from the lake with villages clustering the shore line. The lake is also home to many endangered cichlid fish, which are protected in the national park area around Cape Maclear and can be viewed in many parts of the country. Water sports, fishing trips, birdwatching and exploring villages are all popular pastimes on the lake.
Inland, there are several wildlife parks and reserves, though many species were depleted through poaching in decades gone by, excellent conservation projects are now proving success with a few of the parks now being re-stocked with animals and species such as elephant and rhino are now doing well again. Bird watching in Malawi is fabulous and as well as the parks and reserves, there are many forest reserves and smaller areas which offer a variety of species year round. Liwonde is the best known park in Malawi where boat safaris are a highlight but Majete, Lengwe and Mbwavi in the south are making a comeback and the Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh in the north offer a wide range of wildlife, being linked to Zambia's Luangwa Valley.
Malawi is a popular option for hiking, mountain biking and trekking and there are a few places which offer horse riding too. In the south is Mount Mulanje and the Zomba Plateau, to the north, the Viphya Plateau and Nyika offer options for longer treks and hiking too.
The people of Malawi are a real highlight of any visit here. Although one of the world's poorest countries, the land is rich in friendly smiles and culture. Main crops grown and exported here include sugar, tobbaco, tea, coffee and cotton. Have fun wandering round one of the many local markets! The Malawians are also great craftsmen and some of the wood carvings found here are amongst the best in Africa.
The roads are reasonably good and fairly quiet and there is a good network of light aircraft flights linking destinations too. Our trips are tailored to your needs and a private driver will take you between destinations and show you around.
Lake Malawi provides a perfect place to relax and unwind after a safari or more strenuous activities, there are also some lovely small guest houses in Lilongwe and Blantyre if you need to overnight on arrival or departure.
