Malawi, the so-called ‘warm heart of Africa’ is a small landlocked country which punches far beyond its size when it comes to a holiday here. From the vast clear waters of Lake Malawi in the west, the dramatic peaks of Mt Mulanje and the grasslands of Nyika Plateau, the variety in this small country is impressive. For wildlife lovers, the years of conservation work have paid of and the quality of the wildlife viewing in key national parks is excellent.
Major conservation projects have seen the reintroduction of species in a number of the national parks, including cheetah, rhino, elephant and wild dog. With the increased protection the wildlife has flourished. This combined with the opportunity to enjoy other activities including cultural interactions, visits to tea plantations, boating and hiking, makes Malawi an attractive country when planning an adventure in Africa.
We take a look at the key areas of Malawi, and incorporating a number of them into a holiday is very easy to do, offering a holiday with a difference.
Majete National Park
This is one of Malawi’s most remarkable conservation success stories. Before African Parks started working with Malawi’s Department of National Parks back in 2003, Majete was not in a great state, with depleted wildlife numbers. Since then the park has been transformed and wildlife viewing here is now excellent. Species such as cheetah, rhino, elephant and lion, amongst many others, were reintroduced. With the additional protection which has gone in, the wildlife has gone from strength to strength and it is now a so-called ‘Big 5 Reserve’.
With the Shire River cascading through the park bird watching is also excellent with over 300 species recorded here. Vehicle based game drives to see the wildlife at close quarters is the primary activity here, with walking safaris and a chance to see (and contribute) conservation first hand important alternatives.
Liwonde National Park
Widely regarded as Malawi’s best safari destination, this scenically pretty national park is biodiverse and home to a wide range of species, including elephant, hippos, lion and rare antelope. The large open floodplains, woodland and grasslands also ensure a healthy bird population, and again over 300 species have been recorded here.
Flowing through the park is the Shire River and boat trips are an activity that the park is renowned for. Getting closer to species coming to drink as well as seeing crocodiles and water birds on the bank is a rewarding experience. Game drives and walking safaris offer another opportunity to experience this national park and the wildlife it has to offer..
Lake Malawi
The crystal clear waters of Lake Malawi take up a sizeable portion of this small country; It is so large it can feel like you are on the sea. The warm waters are home to hundreds of colourful, and endemic, cichlid fish, whilst the freshwater shoreline attracts fish eagles and monitor lizards, alongside plenty of other birdlife.
Days here pre or post a safari can be as busy or as relaxing as you would like. With some of the best freshwater diving in the world, kayaking, waterskiing, bike rides, village visits and snorkelling all on offer.
Mt Mulanje
For those who love hiking, mountains and stunning scenery Mt Mulanje is an ideal destination. Malawi’s highest mountain offers a number of walking routes through forests, valleys and high mountain landscapes. Tea plantations abound here and offer another type of landscape again.
Zomba Plateau
Another distinctly different area of the country. The Zomba Plateau, at over 2,000 metres, is another great destination to be able to get out of a vehicle and stretch your legs. Some smaller wildlife – such as small antelope species or monkeys – may be seen alongside fabulous birdlife.
Nyika National Park
One of the most unusual national parks in Africa, Nyika National Park is a vast, high-altitude, grassland plateau that at times is reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands – albeit dotted with wildlife such as zebra, eland and roan antelope species. The rolling hills, valleys of miombo woodland and evergreen forests mean wildflowers abound – over 3,000 plant species have been recorded here, including over 200 orchid species.
This is a safari with a difference, yes there is some plains game here but the main reason for visiting is for the complete contrast in landscapes to the majority of other safari destinations. The high number of rivers and waterfalls is impressive – Nyika means ‘where the water comes from’ – and getting out on foot, on a bike or trying your hand at fishing are all part of the experience here. All with very few other visitors.
Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve
Wild, remote and very different, Nkhotakota is for those looking for something more adventurous than the other national parks might be able to offer. It is also the recipient of one of the largest elephant translocations undertaken in Malawi with 250 elephants being relocated from Liwonde National Park to Nkhotakota, restoring it to its former glory.
With the Bua River at its heart, this park is characterised by the rugged terrain, plenty of rivers and Chipata Mountain, which is covered by an evergreen forest.
It is a reserve ideally suited to those wishing to enjoy more than just wildlife viewing; get out of the vehicle on walking safaris, enjoy some canoeing and birdwatching or try your hand at fishing.
The perfect safari in Malawi?
One of the greatest advantages that Malawi has is its relatively small size and incredible diversity. This ensures a trip can be focused entirely on traditional wildlife viewing, perhaps with time on the beach at the start or finish, or a trip put together which takes you off-the-beaten track to enjoy different scenery and activities. Or a combination of it all.
In summary it offers something which is increasingly rare – excellent wildlife, genuine wilderness, amazing variety and the opportunity to explore without the crowds. As it is less well-known it is also kinder on the pocket than many other African countries.
If you would like to discover more about Malawi, camps and offers please do get in touch with Lucinda who would be delighted to help.
