Malawi

Malawi is a country for individuals who don't need to follow the crowd! The country has such a friendly, well educated, populace that it is deservedly known as "The Warm Heart of Africa". This is no more typified than when staying with Robyn and David Foot where warm hospitality abounds at their wonderful lodge on the Nyika Plateau. Lying towards the southern end of the Rift Valley and forming an important bridge between eastern and southern Africa, Malawi offers a superb and temperate climate. The country's wide range of geographical features, ranging from the vast Nyika plateau with its rolling hills and rocky, almost Scottish, highlands to lowland riverine bush on the Vwaza Marsh mean that there is spectacular scenery, ideal for walking, riding and game viewing. This diversity in turn means varying habitat which leads to some of Africa's best bird watching.

In and around Lake Malawi, one of the great rift lakes of Africa forming one quarter of Malawi's surface, white sand beaches and islands are lapped by crystal clear fresh water where the cyclids (small tropical fish) are incredible. Malawi is all-too-often overlooked but we feel that this unspoiled country has so much to offer: wonderful birdlife; flora including over 80 species of wild orchid; plenty of active pursuits on both land and water as well as good and unusual all round game viewing - especially for elephant, hippo, and the beautiful and rare Sable and Roan antelope. Malawi is vibrant and colourful, never more so than at the markets which are an absolute joy to see. There are an abundance of avocados, mangos and cashew nuts available for much of the year.

Lake Malawi's main attractions include absolutely excellent snorkelling and scuba diving and one can even kayak along the lake, stopping off at different islands and staying at tented camps. In our opinion, this is one of the finest countries to visit for a family safari and holiday. One has the wonderful cultural aspect, visiting the markets, seeing some excellent game in Liwonde, canoeing around the islands and ending with a stint on Lake Malawi either with a spot of sailing or staying at one of the beautiful lodges on the lake.

Several owner managed, very romantic, camps and lodges on the beaches of the shoreline are perfect for an à deux holiday! There is also a magnificent yacht that one can charter, if time is less pressing! For those to whom a safari is more about an overall experience of an unspoiled Africa and less about ticking off game, Malawi is our choice, especially as the country is easily combined with neighbouring Zambia or Tanzania which both offer superb game. For four or more people, we can offer a guided safari by air which takes in Malawi and southern Tanzania - this really is the ultimate and top of our list for those seeking something a little different!