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Malawi Safari Tours & Holidays

4.1/5  –  12 Malawi Safari Reviews

Malawi is a great choice for a well-rounded safari holiday. Known as ‘the warm heart of Africa’, it’s an amazing country to visit for people wanting to experience African life, culture, scenery and wildlife. Malawi is not a prime wildlife destination where visitors fly in and out of the parks and hardly interact with the local communities or get a feel for everyday life. It’s quite the opposite. So, if your interest in Africa goes beyond the quintessential African safari, Malawi might well be the country for you.

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8 Questions About Malawi Safaris

1. When is the best time to visit Malawi?
2. What are the major attractions?
3. How much does a Malawi safari cost?
4. What is the wildlife viewing like in Malawi?
5. How safe is Malawi for tourists?
6. How do you select a reliable tour operator for a Malawi trip?
7. What type of accommodations can I expect?
8. What can I expect from a safari in Malawi?
 
 

8 Questions About Malawi Safaris

Answered by Ariadne van Zandbergen

When is the best time to visit Malawi?

“A Malawi safari is possible at any time of the year. July to October, which corresponds with the middle and end of the Dry season, is the best time for wildlife viewing. At this time, the bush thins out and animals gather around the remaining water sources. However, this isn’t the case in Nyika National Park, which is located at high altitude and tends to be very cold during these months. The warmer summer months from November to May tend to be more pleasant and productive for wildlife viewing on the Nyika Plateau. Malawi is a varied country with a lot to offer aside from safari activities, so most people will visit some of the parks as part of a more general tour. The cooler, drier months from May to August usually offer the best travel conditions throughout much of the country. October can be extremely hot.”

› More about the best time to visit Malawi 1

What are the major attractions?

“Lake Malawi is the third-largest lake in Africa and covers about 25% of the country’s area. It forms part of a string of Rift Valley lakes and is by far the biggest attraction of the country. There are several resort areas along the lake offering sandy beaches as well as excellent diving and snorkeling. This friendly, laid-back country offers a great introduction to Africa, and tourism establishments are refreshingly integrated with local communities. Malawi is not a prime wildlife destination, but there are several good Malawi safari packages including options such as Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve. Nyika National Park is a scenic park at high altitude offering a very different experience from the bush safari destinations. There are also several forest reserves, and hikers are catered for on Mt Mulanje and the Zomba Plateau.”

2

How much does a Malawi safari cost?

“Malawi vacations tend to be relatively affordable. In fact, the country had long been a popular backpacker destination before other tourism facilities developed, and today budget travelers remain well catered for. In recent years, more establishments have opened up for mid-range and upmarket package tourism. As anywhere in Africa, safaris tend to be some of the more expensive activities on a holiday. Liwonde National Park is Malawi’s most established safari destination and it offers accommodations for three different markets: camping, a standard mid-range camp and a luxury exclusive lodge. So no matter your budget, Malawi safari prices should be well within your reach.”

3

What is the wildlife viewing like in Malawi?

“Malawi did not used to be regarded as great for wildlife viewing, but its parks have improved hugely in recent years and its status as a safari destination continues to grow. Malawi’s most alluring safari destination is Liwonde National Park. This very scenic park stands on a beautiful palm-lined stretch of the Shire River and boat-based safaris are particularly rewarding. Hippos and crocodiles are abundant, waterbirds are everywhere, and elephants can often be seen drinking or splashing in the shallows. Following a recent program of reintroductions by African Parks, Liwonde is now home to all the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and black rhino), along with cheetah, African wild dog and a diverse range of grazers. Also on the Shire River but farther south, the once neglected Majete Wildlife Reserve has been regenerated and restocked from almost nothing since it came under the management of African Parks in 2003. It is now a thoroughly rewarding safari destination. As with Liwonde, it is home to all the Big Five, while other wildlife includes cheetah, African wild dog, giraffe, zebra, hippo and a wide variety of antelope. Nyika National Park, Malawi’s largest national park, protects a vast rolling plateau set at altitudes above 2,000m/6,561ft. More reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands than the African bush, Nyika is best known for its magnificent scenery, which stretches out to a hilly horizon in every direction. But the grassy slopes of Nyika also support large herds of zebra, roan antelope, eland and reedbuck, and leopards are often seen on night drives.”

› More about the wildlife of Malawi 4

How safe is Malawi for tourists?

“Malawi is a safe country to visit. It is politically very stable and it lacks big cities on the scale of Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg, which are usually the crime hot spots of any country. The rural nature of Malawi makes it almost a hassle-free destination. Of course, there is some petty crime in the cities (as is the case all over the world), so normal safety precautions should be taken when walking around unguided.”

5

How do you select a reliable tour operator for a Malawi trip?

“Malawi is not a mainstream destination and it isn’t on many general tour operators’ portfolios. A good place to start looking is on SafariBookings.com. There are several Malawi tours on offer, as well as links to operators that do bespoke Malawi packages. Always check the reviews for customer satisfaction and avoid any operators with limited or negative feedback.”

6

What type of accommodations can I expect?

“Although Malawi initially catered mostly to backpackers, there is now a full range of accommodations available when on a safari tour. Different levels and styles of lodging can be found in most parks, including the old-style luxury tented camp. On a different level of class is the exquisite lodge run by Robin Pope Safaris in Majete Wildlife Reserve. A wide variety of accommodations are available along the shores of Lake Malawi, ranging from small resorts and boutique hotels to backpacker hostels, campgrounds and guesthouses.”

7

What can I expect from a safari in Malawi?

“Malawi is a friendly, off-the-beaten-track destination that will appeal to those with a general interest in Africa: its people, wildlife and scenic beauty. Malawi holidays are usually, but not exclusively, centered on the wildlife. Depending on your interests, you can focus your itinerary more toward the parks and reserves, or the lake and general African life. Most visitors will spend some time on Lake Malawi as well as in the parks. The diving and snorkeling are fantastic, and the calm freshwater lake makes the experience easier compared to sea-based activities.”

8

Malawi Safari Reviews

4.1/5 12 Reviews
Expert
Stephen Cunliffe  –  
South Africa ZA

Stephen is a travel writer and avid conservationist whose work appears in prestigious magazines such as Africa Geographic and Travel Africa.

Dynamite Comes in Small Packages
4/5

Known as the warm heart of Africa, Malawi is an enchanting and welcoming country that is undoubtedly home to the friendliest people in all of Africa. While it might lack the abundant wildlife resources and expansive protected areas of some...

Full Review

Expert
Sue Watt  –  
United Kingdom UK

Sue is an award-winning writer who specializes in African travel and conservation. She writes for national newspapers, magazines, Rough Guides and Lonely Planet.

More Than ‘The Warm Heart of Africa’
4/5

Malawi is well known as the ‘warm heart of Africa’ because of its welcoming, friendly people. While that moniker is certainly true, there’s much more to this tiny country than meets the eye, and its people are just one reason to...

Full Review

gilbob2  –  
United Kingdom UK
Reviewed: Jan 8, 2020
The warm heart of Africa - a destination full of natural diversity
5/5

I try to visit Malawi once a year for pleasure, I'm a keen wildlife photographer, and for me every trip brings me so much enjoyment, the diversity of wildlife is astounding. My favourite time to go is when the rainy season starts (November...

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Tanja  –  
Netherlands NL
Reviewed: Aug 6, 2018
Not many different animals but great to see elephants.
4/5

I went biking in Malawi for 3 months, also spending some days at 2 nationals parks to see animals. Because I went 3 months, I had a budget. The better accommodation in Malawi is run by foreigners and is more expensive. At the wild parks we...

Full Review

All 12 Malawi Safari Reviews