Wildlife, lake landscapes and culture

Need to know

Malawi is a landlocked country, running down the end of the Great Rift Valley. Dominated by Lake Malawi, the third largest lake in Africa, the surrounding country is exceptionally beautiful with dramatic scenery as well as an abundance of birds and wildlife.

It is known as the “Warm Heart of Africa” and as people, the Malawians live up to this name. They are extremely friendly and welcoming. There are many market scenes, roadside stalls, cottage industries that a visitor can comfortably visit. With both the scenery and the culture Malawi is a great country to drive in.

Wildlife

Malawi is widely recognized as a conservation success story, where once-depleted national parks have been restored into thriving, wildlife-rich ecosystems. Through major reintroduction and protection efforts in conjunction with organizations such as African Parks, the country now offers some of Africa’s most inspiring safari experiences.

In Liwonde National Park, visitors can see four of the Big Five (excluding leopard), along with cheetah, large herds of sable and eland, and exceptional birdlife including the rare Lilian’s lovebird. Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi’s only Big Five park, is another conservation milestone—home to lions, elephants, rhinos, and a growing population of wild dogs, cheetah, and plains game such as Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, plus outstanding birding.

Lake Malawi National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protects one of the most unique freshwater ecosystems on Earth, with over 350 species of endemic cichlid fish—often compared to the Galápagos for its evolutionary importance. Meanwhile, Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve played a key role in the historic 500-elephant translocation, helping restore balance to its wilderness.

Nyika National Park offers a completely different safari experience, with rolling highland landscapes reminiscent of Scotland and the highest concentration of leopard in Malawi, alongside roan and other antelope—showcasing the country’s remarkable ecological diversity.

What to bring

• Camouflage clothing

  3 sets bush coloured safari outfits (long shorts/shirts) i.e. green/brown/dark khaki (not white, cream, blue or bright colours - especially for walking).

• Casual clothing

  A couple of sets of lighter clothes for Lake Malawi.

• Evening clothing

  2 sets casual evening clothes (long trousers, shirts and socks to reduce insect bites).

• Extra clothing

  1 lightweight sweater. Warm jacket in winter (June/July/early August).

• Rain clothing

  Light rain gear for the wet months (November - April).

• Shoes

  A good pair of covered shoes for walking. Open shoes or sandal type shoes for warmer days.

• Swimgear

  A number of properties do have pools so bring swimwear.

• Sun protection

  Like a hat, sunglasses, high strength sunscreen, moisturizer, lip salve, strong insect repellent, anti-histamine cream and tablets should always be carried.

• Binoculars

  One pair per person is a must.

• Torch

  A pocket torch comes in handy in the evenings when walking between your room and dining area.

• Glasses

  if you wear prescription glasses bring a spare pair. If you wear contact lenses bring a pair of glasses as well since dust can be a problem.

• Camera equipment

  We suggest a telephoto lens (200/300mm). Flash for night photography. Camera cleaning equipment and a good dust/waterproof bag. Videos - bring spare batteries, and a flash for night photography.