Malawi Tours
Lakeside beaches, horseback and driving safaris to spot elephants and hyenas, and friendly locals make Malawi tours some of Africa’s best. To help you choose your dream itinerary in tour comparison Malawi, we’ve compiled a list of our top recommendations below.
Golden bays fringed with lakeside beaches offer travellers the ideal respite. Tour groups congregate here for a programme of optional excursions, while there is simple relaxation to be enjoyed at camps midway through an overland tour.
Vast Lake Malawi
Africa’s third largest lake dominates its namesake country, and fishing communities depend on it for daily life. Home to the world’s first freshwater national park, there are also a number of water sports and opportunity to swim with almost 1,000 different kinds of tropical cichlids.
Spot game from horse back
For game viewing sans motor, saddle up for the day and finish with a sunset lake swim – Malawi is one of the premier stable grounds for horseback safaris.
Hike to Livingstonia
Follow a guided walk through verdant villages, crossing paths with hardworking farmers and cooling off in Manchewe Falls to find the missionary-built town of Livingstonia. Reach the top and read up on missionary work in the Stone House for a glimpse of colonial past, all set against breath taking views.
Experience the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’ on village walks
Malawi’s people are reputed to be some of the friendliest on the continent. Whether you encounter a canoe fisherman, chirpy sales vendor or are chased by leagues of schoolchildren (and excited cries of Mzungu! Mzungu!), all continually invite guests to see the beautiful simplicities of life for many Malawians.
Elephants, hippos and crocodiles at Liwonde National Park
Under less of a spotlight than the neighbouring safari giants, Malawi’s plateau game park sightings include hippos, crocodiles and an abundance of elephants. Antelope, waterbucks and zebras hoof the flood plains, as carnivores search for their next meal, with spotted hyenas scavenging nearby and the fish eagle swooping into the Shire river.
Visit the Vizara Rubber Plantations
Home to roughly 600,000 rubber trees descended from the original 70,000 brought from Brazil to Kew Gardens in London in the 19th century, the Vizara Rubber Plantation offers an educational glimpse into how rubber is farmed, and is unexpectedly more beautiful than its name might suggest.
Craft markets in Lilongwe
Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, is an ideal spot to pick up some local handcrafts, such as colourful Kitenge fabric, wood-carved chairs and three-legged tables – if your suitcase is big enough!
Courtney Gahan is a serial expat, traveller and freelance writer who has bartered with Moroccan marketeers, seen the sun rise at Angkor Wat and elbowed her way through crowds on NYE in NYC
