Holidays In Malawi
Malawi is such a magical country, particularly attractive for individuals who don’t need to follow the crowd! For anybody who either knows Africa intimately or who is looking for an experience which is not ‘run of the mill’ but more genuine, cultural and perhaps even water based, then this is for you! It also happens to be far less expensive than its other African counterparts. The birdlife is second to none and it has such a diversity of experiences, from game viewing by boat on the Shire River in Liwonde, viewing elephant and hippo and birdlife, to visiting the bustling markets selling their fish, vegetables, macadamia nuts, mangoes and avocados as well as their woven basketware, fabulous cloths, pottery and hand printed textiles. The tea plantation region is gorgeous and probably the most beautiful and diverse region of all is the Nyika plateau, reminiscent of Scotland with its heather, its vast panoramic vistas, its wild orchids and wildlife. The lake is magnificent and offers everything from catamaran holidays from island to island or mainland; snorkelling and scuba diving and kayaking around Mumbo Island.
Highlights of a Holiday in Malawi
- Game viewing in Liwonde National Park
- Game viewing and walking on the Nyika plateau
- Canoeing and Kayaking around Mumbo Island
- Learning how to do pottery – make your own designs and even participate on a pottery course
- Sailing on a live-aboard catamaran on Lake Malawi from island to island.
- A host of watersports on Lake Malawi from snorkelling, scuba diving, laser and catamaran sailing.
- Visiting markets
- Staying on a tea plantation
- Climbing Mount Mulanje
- Home stays with wonderful walking trails and mountain biking in the countryside.
- Festival of Stars – a wonderful, musical festival which attracts fans and performers from around the world.
General information on Malawi: The country has such a friendly, well educated, populace that it is deservedly known as “The Warm Heart of Africa”. Lying towards the southern end of the Rift Valley 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!
