Malawi travel guide
Heaps of wildlife, tranquil lake-life, granite peaks, great cycling and big smiles – that's what awaits travellers heading to Malawi
Malawi is the ‘warm heart of Africa’: a sliver of a country hemmed in by Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique and Botswana, Malawi is home to some of the continent’s most welcoming people. Malawi is relatively small – which means travelling around isn’t too arduous, as distances are never that big – but packed with varied terrain.
Dominating Malawi is 560km-long Lake Malawi, which is lined with some stunning beaches and fascinating villages, and offers great snorkelling. Away from the lake, Malawi has some of Africa’s least-sung wildlife hotspots – Liwonde, the beautiful park hugging the Shire River in the country’s south, is packed with elephants and other animals, but few tourists.
Other wilderness areas, including the ravines around Mount Mulanje, the marshes of Vwaza and the Nyika Plateau, are even less visited. The history here is rich, too: missionary David Livingstone left his mark, and there are towns and memorials bearing references to him all over Malawi.
Wanderlust recommends
- Ride a horse across the rolling landscapes of the Nyika Plateau
- Make like a local and cycle in Malawi – try the sandy tracks in Dzalanyama Forest Reserve
- Watch herds of elephants and chortling hippos in Liwonde National Park
- Pack you easel for an art safari in Malawi – learn to paint in Liwonde and on the shores of Lake Malawi
- Climb to the summit of Mount Mulanje, a massive massif surrounded by waterfalls and wilderness
- Chill out at the Lake of Stars music festival (October) on the shores of Lake Malawi
- Ride the MV Ilala ferry across the length of Lake Malawi
- Shop for bargain wooden souvenirs at Lilongwe’s craft market or at the art school at Mua Mission
Wanderlust tips
Women should dress conservatively, especially away from Lake Malawi’s beaches; perhaps invest in a chitenje (Malawian sarong). On safari dress in neutral-coloured clothing and take a hat to keep the sun off.
When shopping in Malawi’s markets, don’t haggle too hard – this is a poor nation and items are generally cheap anyway.