Malawi
Malawi. Ranked amongst the Top 10 Lonely Planet Best In Travel 2022 countries, the 'warm heart of Africa' is vastly underrated. Though we secretly hope this little gem of a place remains off the mass-tourism radar, Malawi is that country everyone tells you to travel to now, before tourists flock to it in hundreds of thousands. Beach, floodplains, mountains, jungles, plateaux and smiles - Malawi has it all. One of Africa’s most welcoming countries, its landscapes will enchant you with their intriguingly Scottish looks. Well, that is, until you reach the Lake. Rolling hills of emerald green give way to ancient baobabs, white sand and turquoise waters filled with a myriad of gleaming scales in every possible shade of colour.
A few of our favourite places in Malawi...
Lake Malawi
The Lake of Stars
Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyassa, or the Lake of Stars, is a natural border between Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi. It is one of the world’s deepest lakes, and scientists believe it to be Africa’s most biodiverse bodies of freshwater, with hundreds of cichlid species yet to be discovered. With a Caribbean-esque feel to it, Lake Malawi is the perfect place to unwind after an exhilarating but dusty and dry stretch in the bush. Snorkelling, diving, canoeing, water-skiing, water activities are endless, in surroundings that are as beautiful as they are off the beaten track. Malawi is set to become a popular travel destination, and we cannot recommend exploring this little gem more!
Majete Wildlife Reserve
An Incredible Success Story
But the Lake of Stars is not the only reason one should travel to Africa’s Warm Heart. In the southwest, Majete National Park, on the banks of the Shire River, is a stunning reserve. Managed by African Parks, Majete was once depleted of wildlife – only a few bushbucks remained in what was considered a wasteland. Now a thriving ecosystem, the reserve is home to lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, giraffes, wild dogs and healthy antelope populations. It is a true conservation success story, and well off the trodden paths. In the emerald season (November-April), its forests are lush, displaying vibrant shades of green. In the dryer times of the year (May-October), dust hangs in the air like beautiful particles, catching the light and creating a mystique atmosphere. Located at just over an hour and a half drive from Blantyre, Majete is easily accessible and in a stunning valley. It is possible to visit community projects.
Liwonde National Park
The Heart of the Shire
As we continue north up the Shire river towards Lake Malawi, we come across Liwonde National Park, another beautiful reserve managed by African Parks. Floodplains, fever tree forests and palm trees on one side, Mopane woodlands and baobab groves on the other, Liwonde is a unique and stunning little gem that one would be wise to stop by. It is known for the hordes of rare sable antelope that come down to the floodplain, elephants wallowing in the mighty Shire River, cheetahs hunting out in the open, using termite mounds as vantage points. Healthy and well-established lion populations call in the night, and black rhinos can be found close to the lodges, all of which offer boat cruises (sunrise and sunsets) offering a glimpse into the highly diverse birdlife of Liwonde. But one does not travel to Malawi’s most famous park simply for the wildlife. The park itself is utterly magical, and promises a safari experience like no other, with exhilarating sighings yes, but also the gentle and often forgotten opportunity to enjoy the slow pace of the bush, to sit back and relax.
The Nyika Plateau
Towering above the Great Rift Valley
Far up in the north, bordering Zambia, Nyika is another hidden gem. Standing at an altitude of around 2500m AMSL, the Plateau towers above the Great Rift Valley. It is perfect for hiking and cycling amongst zebra and hartebeest. Nyika is also known to have one of central Africa’s highest leopard densities, so keep your eyes peeled for flashes of rosette-shaped gold. One of the best times to visit Nyika is, we believe, during the rainy seasons months, from December to March, for 400 different endemic orchid species bloom throughout the rains. Its famous rolling green hills burst into colour, making the plateau a truly unique landscape, perfect for a few days of adventure and unwinding. Chelinda Camp and Lodge – the only accommodation options in the park, are the definition of cosy, and the staff will take excellent care of you. But remember to pack warm clothes – despite the hot water bottle waiting for you in your bed and the crackling fires, it gets very chilly at night!
Mt Mulanje
‘The Island in the Sky’
Malawi’s highest peak, and only 1 hour from Blantyre, is, in fact, a massif with 20 peaks that are over 2500m high. Often referred to by the locals as ‘the Island in the Sky’, Mulanje is a natural formation of pure beauty, syenite and granite. Waterfalls and plateaux, gorges and rivers can be found all around. Perfect for hiking and adventuring, or simply retreating from the world amidst myths and legends, the Massif is home to the Mulanje Cedar, a tree that can rise to 30m high, as well as to an array of small herbivores and birds.
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