Skip to content
Please select your location:
Elephant in Liwonde National Park, Malawi
Malawi your way

Tailor-made Malawi holidays shaped around your passions

Elephant in Liwonde National Park, Malawi

Best known for its sea-like lake, Malawi is also a land of forest-covered hills where monkeys leap through the trees, open grassland dotted with grazing antelope, and tea estates rambling across the foothills of Mount Mulanje. Our safari specialists have visited each corner of the country and will put together a holiday to Malawi that matches your interests, whether you’re looking for a safari, a beach break, or both.

While not Africa’s most obvious safari destination, Malawi’s Liwonde National Park is growing in popularity. Here, you can embark on game drives, bush walks and boat trips along the Shire River, which is regularly visited by hippo, crocodiles, elephant and an array of birdlife. For a change of scene, head to the Thyolo region, staying on a tea estate and following walking trails through the plantations. Then, end your trip on Lake Malawi’s sandy shores or fly to the remote Likoma Island, home to Africa’s third-largest cathedral.

Creating tailor-made tours for over 25 years

Suggested Malawi tour

This sample tour will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Malawi, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your tour will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Suggested activities for Malawi

Whatever your interests, our specialists will build activities into your trip that connect to how you want to experience Malawi.

  • Watch the local choir & dance group
    Lake Malawi

    Watch the local choir & dance group

    Likoma Island & Mozambique Lakeshore

    Watch the local choir & dance group

    Kaya Mawa is frequently visited by a local choir and Malipenga and Chioda dancing teams. The Malipenga (male) and Chioda (female) dance team are an integral part of Malawi culture. Feathers in caps, socks pulled up to the knees, the haunting trumpeting of the calabash tells the story of colonial days gone by.

    View details
  • Visit St. Peter's Cathedral
    The Cathedral on Likoma Island

    Visit St. Peter's Cathedral

    Likoma Island & Mozambique Lakeshore

    Visit St. Peter's Cathedral

    We definitely recommend taking a stroll or a boat trip over to the "town" and visiting the huge St. Peter's Cathedral which was built in 1905 by missionaries.

    View details
  • Zomba Plateau trip
    View from the Zomba Plateau

    Zomba Plateau trip

    Zomba Plateau trip

    Enjoy the drive to the huge granite outcrop where you will pass trout farms, dams and clear running streams passing through waterfalls on their way to the lowlands.

    View details

More choice for your safari

  • Inspiration across all our African destinations
  • Trip suggestions based on your interests
  • Advice on where to safari, when
  • Meet our team of safari experts

Best time to visit

Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Malawi, including information about climate, events and festivals.

Request our brochure

Covering all seven continents, The World Your Way shows you how you can see the world with us. It features trip ideas from our specialists alongside hand-picked stays and experiences, and introduces our approach to creating meaningful travel experiences.

The World Your Way Brochure Cover

Useful information for planning your holiday in Malawi

What food and drink should I try in Malawi?

In Malawi you should try nsima (n'SHEE-ma) and ndiwo, a maize porridge and relish duo, served everywhere. Roll the porridge into a ball with your right hand and dip it into the accompanying stew, which is usually made from beef, chicken, fish, beans, or vegetables. Pork is not often served to accommodate Malawi’s Muslim population.

Other food to look out for in Malawi includes mandazi (a sweet cardamom pastry) and zitumbuwa (banana fritters). You’ll find a good selection of food in cities such as Lilongwe and Blantyre, while camps, hotels, and lodges catering to overseas visitors serve an international menu.

What languages are spoken in Malawi?

English is the official language of Malawi. More than half of Malawians speak Chichewa, an indigenous language belonging to the Bantu group, which you’ll hear in southern and central regions. In the north, the most widely spoken language is Chitumbuka. There are many other linguistic groups, including Yo, Ngoni, and Nyanja.

What's the currency of Malawi?

The currency of Malawi is the kwacha (MWK). You can buy kwacha in Malawi and use it in local shops, but lodges generally accept and prefer payment in US dollars. Although you’ll find ATMs in the cities, they’re not common in other areas, and credit cards are not widely accepted. It’s a good idea to bring plenty of US dollars with you to pay for drinks and extra activities at your lodge.

How much should I tip in Malawi?

Tipping is not expected in Malawi but is always gratefully received. Tipping your guide at the end of your stay is always appreciated, and it’s a nice gesture to tip the general camp/lodge staff by putting something in the communal tipping box. Speak to your specialist about suggested rates.

Where can I find the latest travel advice for Malawi?

For the latest travel advice for Malawi, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.

What can I experience in Malawi?

The main experiences in Malawi are spotting wildlife in parks and reserves and relaxing on the shores of Lake Malawi, as well as enjoying water sports. Although not regarded as a traditional safari destination, Malawi rewards you with plenty of parks and reserves that see far fewer visitors than elsewhere in Southern Africa, making for a more intimate experience.

Beyond the national parks and reserves, antelope graze on open plains, tea estates blanket the hillsides, and boat trips and bush walks bring you closer to nature. You’ll also find forest-clad mountains where monkeys leap from tree to tree, and despite being a landlocked country, the vast Lake Malawi provides plenty of water-based activity, from snorkelling among kaleidoscopic cichlid fish to cruising the placid waters between villages.

Where can I stay in Malawi?

Malawi offers a good range of places to stay, from small guesthouses and rustic ecolodges to upmarket beachfront hotels and safari lodges. Malawi is less visited than other destinations in Southern Africa and although you may not find the high-end luxury available elsewhere, we’ve found a good choice of attractive lodges with great personality.

A highlight of a trip to Malawi is a stay in an intimate safari lodge where privacy and exclusivity combine with luxurious rooms and personal service. You could follow this with time spent kayaking, diving, and snorkelling from a private island retreat on Lake Malawi, or observing wildlife from a pine chalet on a highland plateau. Take a look at our collection of places to stay in Malawi for some more ideas.

Where should I go in Malawi?

Combine a safari in Liwonde National Park with time spent exploring the tea plantations of the south and a few days relaxing on the shores of Lake Malawi for a fun and varied trip.

Lake Malawi covers a fifth of the country and offers beaches and islands as well as the chance to snorkel, dive, or kayak in its clear waters. Tranquil Likoma Island feels like a complete escape with baobab and mango trees, an Anglican cathedral, and panoramic views of the lake.

You could combine this with a safari in Liwonde National Park to see elephant, black rhino, zebra, and hippo among many other species. Meanwhile, in the Thyolo Region, you can visit tea plantations to walk along lush trails while learning about how the tea is grown, harvested, and prepared.

What wildlife can I see on safari in Malawi?

You can see the Big Five — lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard — in Malawi. Lion have been reintroduced to Majete Wildlife Reserve, but this is the only place in the country you’ll see them.

Elsewhere, you’ll find an abundance of elephant, rhino, buffalo, and hippo, and if you’re lucky, get a glimpse of the elusive leopard. Rare black rhino may be seen south of Lake Malawi. You could also see crocodiles in the rivers, and sable antelope, waterbuck, impala, and zebra across the plains.

In addition, Malawi has a wide range of birdlife including rare and endemic species in its montane forests and miombo woodlands.

What's the best way of getting around in Malawi?

The best way to get around Malawi is to combine car journeys with travel by light aircraft. Malawi is a relatively small country and driving with a Malawian guide gives you an insight into the country and its people, while also being a comfortable and efficient way to travel. Air travel offers easy access to more remote destinations and spectacular views of the plains and wildlife below. Our specialists will offer advice on how best to get around depending on your interests and itinerary.

How long does it take to fly to Malawi from the UK?

It takes around 12 hours to fly from the UK to Malawi.

What’s the risk of malaria in Malawi?

Malawi is a high-risk area for malaria. Please see your doctor for advice about antimalarial medication. The best way to avoid contracting malaria is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Wear loose clothing that covers your arms and legs, wear an insect repellent with 50% DEET, and use a mosquito net if sleeping in a room with unscreened windows or doors. If you feel unwell and have a high fever or other symptoms either during or after travel, seek prompt medical help and make sure you mention your travel history.

Do I need vaccinations to visit Malawi?

Your doctor is best placed to offer advice on recommended vaccinations for Malawi. Also ensure you’re up to date with any vaccinations recommended at home. You can check the suggested vaccinations on the Travel Health Pro website.

Do I need a visa to visit Malawi, and what do I need to check with my passport?

Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Malawi. Enter where you’re travelling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.

Other popular destinations

Still looking for ideas? If Malawi has captured your interest, we think you might also like these destinations.