available in Malawi
offering Safaris
Reserves and Wildlife
Areas
Overview
Landlocked by the larger countries of Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique, Malawi boasts a wide variety of landscapes including plains, mountains, forests and river valleys. Despite its relatively small land mass for an African country, Malawi has a large number of national parks and open spaces making it ideal for a safari holiday.You have the option of choosing between walking or horseback Malawi safaris and 4×4 Malawi safari tours. Unlike many of Africa’s more well-known national parks and safari package destinations, those found in Malawi tend to be less touristy and unspoilt. The Big Five can be seen in Malawi as well as a large number of other species.
Of the nine national parks, the largest and oldest is Nyika National Park found in the north of the country where buffalo, zebra and leopard can be spotted amidst its diverse vegetation and landscapes. In the west of the country is Kasungu National Park, home to crocodiles, hippos, zebras and lions. The most popular national park for Malawi safaris is Liwonde National Park, in the south of the country, home to a huge number of species including elephant, lion and rhino. Apart from the Malawi wildlife, this place is also a popular bird watching destination thanks to the sheer number of species including fish eagle, kingfisher, pelican and flamingo.
Malawi safari parks also boasts two UNESCO protected areas; Chongini Rock Art Area in Central Malawi, with paintings dating as far back as the Late Stone Age and Iron Age periods, and Lake Malawi National Park with its protected fish and aquatic species. The country’s biggest annual music event, the Lake of Stars Festival, takes place in late September on the shores of Lake Malawi.
Although Malawi’s 14 million strong population live mostly in traditional rural villages, the cities are still a good place to find out more about Malawian culture. The capital Lilongwe is a small and manageable city split into two parts, the Old Town and the Capital City. The highlight of a visit to Lilongwe is the bustling daily market, the largest in the country. More can be discovered about both the land and the human history of Malawi at the Cultural & Museum Centre of Karonga and the Museum of Malawi.
Malawi Safari Travel Seasons
- May–mid-Aug Dry season with cooler temperatures and lush vegetation after the rains. A great time to hike Mount Mulanji or visit Lake Malawi. Night temperatures can drop below zero in the highland areas.
- Mid–Aug-Oct The end of the dry season brings optimum wildlife watching conditions, with animals teeming in the game areas, but temperatures are at their highest.
- Nov–Apr Rainy season with hot humid days and short sharp showers. A photographer’s paradise with stunning lush scenery and villages a hive of activity.
General Information
- Capital city – Lilongwe
- Currency – Kwachas (MWK)
- Languages – Chichewa, English
- Size – 118,500 km²
- Population – 18.09 million (2016)
Health and Safety
- Travel insurance is essential for all international travel. Click below to find out more:
- The CDC recommends the following vaccinations for Malawi: hepatitis A and typhoid. Check with your doctor for other vaccinations you might need and make sure your routine vaccinations are all up-to-date.
- Malaria is present in Malawi – get medical advice on which prophylaxis to take.
- It is best to stick to drinking bottled water.
Pros
- Varied landscapes including beautiful Lake Malawi
- Large number of wildlife areas
- Diverse fauna and flora
- Wide range of Malawi safari options
- Rich culture and history
Cons
- Under developed infrastructure
- Tours can be expensive
Arriving in Malawi
- Most travellers arrive in Malawi by air into Lilongwe International. There are taxi or airport shuttles to/from town which cost around US$35.
- If you are already in the region then you can drive or bus in.
Getting Around
- Malawi is not a vast country, like Tanzania or South Africa, so distances between major centres are relatively short.
- Most travellers will be on an organised tour with flights and transfers already sorted out.
- If you are an independant traveller then using the public transport system is pretty straight forward and reliable.
Visas
- Arrival visas are due on arrival for most travellers, please check Malawi Visas >>
Malawi Safaris
Dusty Tracks: Malawi Family Expedition
- 8 Days
A peaceful, welcoming, warm hidden slice of Africa, Malawi is ideal for an off the beaten track family...
-
Country:Malawi,
-
Departures:Oct
-
Length:8 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in Blantyre
Women’s Malawi Expedition
- 8 Days
Be inspired, create new partnerships and share your skills on this incredible Malawi expedition. Understand...
-
Country:Malawi,
-
Departures:Aug, Sep
-
Length:8 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in Blantyre
Global Development Workshops
- 9 Days
Join a group trip to Malawi and learn about the challenges faced by developing countries through educating...
-
Country:Malawi,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:9 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in Blantyre
Partners offering Safaris in Malawi
Countries in the same Region
Botswana
- 117 Partners
- 74 Tours
Botswana safaris are sought after for those seeking incredible untouched wilderness; the beautiful Okavango Delta, elephant paradise Chobe National Park, green savannah of Savuti and much more.
South Africa
- 90 Partners
- 35 Tours
Home to some of the richest biodiversity on earth, South Africa has a wealth of scenic gems for visitors to experience, from mountains, lakes and oceans to winelands, national parks and deserts.
Zambia
- 70 Partners
- 32 Tours
With vast tracts of remote wilderness and few tourists, a visit to Zambia offers genuine adventure with high quality guides sharing their knowledge on game drives, night excursions, walking and canoe safaris.
Namibia
- 66 Partners
- 25 Tours
This remarkable country is home to an array of breathtaking safari areas; the Namib Desert with its red sand dunes, Damaraland, home to unique desert-adapted species and Etosha National Park with its wildlife and salt pan scenery.
Zimbabwe
- 93 Partners
- 34 Tours
Zimbabwe still rates as one of the greatest Southern African safari destinations. Despite its recent troubles, it offers a superior safari experience and is home to some of the very best guides in the business.
Swaziland
- 5 Partners
- 7 Tours
Despite being the smallest country in the southern hemisphere, the Kingdom of Swaziland packs a punch with everything it has to offer, brimming with colourful rich culture, laid-back friendly locals, natural beauty and amazing wildllife.
Mozambique
- 27 Partners
- 7 Tours
Mozambique is a tropical paradise that has so much to offer visitors; soft, dune-covered beaches and turquoise-coloured oceans, rich coral reefs and uninhabited archipelagos. Inland the vast wilderness is recovering from years of civil war. Situated in the southern end of the Great African Rift Valley, the Gorongosa National Park lies in the wild heart of central Mozambique.
Madagascar
- 24 Partners
- 10 Tours
Lying off the southeast coast of Africa, Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world and a unique ecological environment. The island split off from the ancient landform of Gondwana some 88 million years ago and has since remained an isolated landmass. This has resulted in the spectacular biodiversity for which Madagascar has become known, with an astonishing 90% of its wildlife unique to the island.
