Top Experiences in Malawi
For first-time visitors to Africa and anyone who is drawn to nature and outdoor adventures, Malawi is a wonderful destination.
This tiny country has many superb places to visit, offering scenic diversity, from the vast, idyllic Lake Malawi and zebra-dotted high plains to the epic heights of Mt Mulanje and the escarpment views at Livingstonia. The legendary Malawian friendliness is not overstated, and once there, you will find ways to experience this welcoming country while keeping your costs down.
Here are the best things to do on your trip to Malawi.
1. Find the Big Five at Majete Wildlife Reserve
After decades of poaching, the restoration of Malawi’s parks and the reintroduction of species make it a great country to see wildlife without the excessive expense typically associated with safari in some neighboring countries.
Once poached to near extinction, the wildlife at Majete has made an astonishing recovery, thanks to the management of the African Parks conservation organization, which secured the park with a high fence. With the reintroduction of lions, the park is now a prime destination for spotting the Big Five, as well as playful warthog families, impala, and waterbuck. Accommodations range from simple campsites to luxury lodges. Thawale Camp is a lovely midrange option, focusing on a watering hole where animals gather in glorious diversity from dawn onwards. It’s a magical experience.
Planning tip: For wildlife viewing, the dry season from April to August is the best time to visit. From September, the heat builds, followed by the rains.
2. Watch the sunset at Lake Malawi with chambo and chips
You simply haven’t fully experienced Malawi until you’ve seen the lake. This long, tranquil body of water offers excellent opportunities for lounging, swimming, and snorkeling to view the colorful cichlid fish below the surface. Sleepy resort villages line the shores, where pleasant lodges blend in naturally with their surroundings, often made from local materials. Enjoy grilled fish, such as the ubiquitous chambo with chips, while taking in views of the water. Cape Maclear has excellent Malawian-owned lodges that allow you to give back to the community directly through projects that promote local crafts. Nkhata Bay is known as the most sociable town on the lake.
Lake Malawi’s fishers use canoes carved from tree trunks, which have become iconic, reproduced in various crafts and decor. At lakeside settlements like Senga Bay, you can arrange boat trips, ideally ending with the breathtaking glow of a lake sunset.
Planning tip: The MV Ilala ferry runs up and down Lake Malawi weekly. While the schedule can be unreliable, the ferry is an affordable and scenic way to travel between villages and islands.
3. Escape on the lake at Likoma Island
Upon arrival at little Likoma Island, many travelers find it hard to leave the sandy beaches and the interior filled with baobabs and mango trees. A must-see sight is the unexpectedly vast Cathedral of St Peter. Kaya Mawa Lodge is one of the most attractive options in the country, featuring stone rooms and timber terraces that open onto beaches with stunning sunset views. The island also offers affordable rest houses.
4. Hike up the peaks of Mt Mulanje
Mulanje is the third highest mountain in Africa, a granite massif adorned with deep fissures that rise above the surrounding tea plantations; aptly named “the island in the sky.” With its wooded ravines, high waterfalls, river pools, and 20 peaks, Mulanje is both beautiful and imposing.
Planning tip: Well-organized guiding operations are available to assist with the challenging ascent to the high peaks (9842 ft or 3000 m), and you can stay in simple mountain huts along looping trails, making for excellent climbing and hiking opportunities.
5. Party at the Lake of Stars
Malawians love to celebrate, and the annual Lake of Stars festival is the biggest event of them all. Visitors have the option to glamp or camp, enjoying music, dance, and festivities beneath the night sky. While authentic Malawian music can be hard to find, don’t miss the chance to hear local star Faith Mussa if you get the opportunity.
6. Walk up to the escarpment edge at secluded and historic Livingstonia
The village of Livingstonia represents one of the earliest colonial settlements in Malawi, perched high in the hills above Lake Malawi’s northwestern shores, enjoying a cool climate favorable to the Scottish missionaries who established it. Hiking from the lakeshore through wooded hills ultimately leads to this remote settlement, where many imaginative lodges overlook dizzying views. The Mushroom Farm, perched on steep slopes, exemplifies sustainable tourism, with a permaculture garden, farm-to-table dining, and deep community connections. From here, you can stroll to stunning Manchewe Falls.
Livingstonia features more rudimentary accommodations, founded in the 19th century. Visit the Stone House Museum to learn about the town’s history while wandering its quiet streets adorned with quaint administrative buildings.
7. Have an unforgettable encounter with elephants in Liwonde National Park
Situated along the banks of the wide Shire River, Liwonde National Park offers fantastic wildlife viewing. Staying at one of the lodges within the park immerses you in thrilling, and sometimes terrifying, proximity to the natural world. Many lodges experience nightly visits from elephants, who munch on the thatch of lodge roofs as you attempt to sleep. Additionally, a boat trip along the Shire River affords unforgettable encounters with hippos and other wildlife.
8. Chill out for a couple of days in Zomba
While Zomba lacks standout attractions, it provides a lovely locale to relax for a few days, particularly for hiking adventures on the plateau that rises above the town. Zomba features multiple dining options and hosts a classic backpacker lodge, functioning as a traveler hub. The local market sells beautiful chitenge cloth, which tailors can transform into bespoke garments.
Planning tip: The Zomba Forest Lodge on the plateau offers remote accommodations and outstanding food. The owners actively plant trees on the surrounding deforested slopes.
9. See zebras cross the grassland at Nyika National Park
Nyika National Park is a world apart from the sweltering Shire plains. At Nyika, sweeping grasslands dotted with orchids are home to roaming zebras, where you might hear the distinctive cough of leopards if you’re fortunate. Stay in the beautiful wooden Chelinda Lodge, warmed by log fires on chilly evenings, or choose one of the simpler forestry buildings nearby, known as Chelinda Camp.
10. See rescued wild animals at Lilongwe Wildlife Centre
Although Malawi’s capital city isn’t the most vibrant, the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre deserves a spot on your list of activities. Nestled in a wooded area that provides a lovely green respite in the city, the Centre is dedicated to rehabilitating wild animals such as baboons, servals, bushpigs, and hyenas, returning them to the wild when possible. The center offers a wonderful educational experience, accompanied by beautiful walking trails and an excellent café.
Planning tip: Entry fees for non-Malawian visitors are K2000 per adult and K1000 per child. Additional donations are welcomed to support the rehabilitation efforts.
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This article was first published on January 7, 2022, and updated on March 9, 2023.
