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Malawi Safari Tours & Holidays
Malawi is a great choice for a well-rounded safari holiday. Dubbed ‘the warm heart of Africa’, it’s an amazing country to visit for people wanting to experience African life, culture, scenery and wildlife. Malawi isn’t a prime wildlife destination where people fly in and out of parks and hardly interact with the local people or get a feel for general 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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13-Day Luxury Malawi Safari
$6,412 to $8,610 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Blantyre (Start), Majete WR, Liwonde NP, Cape Maclear (Lake Malawi), Lilongwe (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 166 Reviews
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12-Day Northern Malawi Self Drive Lodge Based
$2,272 to $2,617 pp (USD)
Malawi: Self-drive
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Lilongwe (Start), South Viphya FR, Nyika NP, Chintheche (Town & Beach), Nkhotakota WR, Lilongwe Airport (End)
Land & Lake Safaris
4.8/5 – 30 Reviews
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12-Day Malawi Highlights Adventure
$4,901 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Blantyre (Start), Majete WR, Thyolo Mts, Liwonde NP, Lake Malawi, Lilongwe (End)
Crafted Africa
4.9/5 – 72 Reviews
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11-Day Ultimate Malawi Adventure
$4,290 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Lilongwe (Start), Nkhotakota WR, Senga Bay (Lake Malawi), Liwonde NP, Majete WR, Lilongwe Airport (End)
Baseline Travel
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5-Day S/ 4 Nights Super Malawi Safari
$1,463 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Blantyre (Start), Majete WR, Lake Malawi, Lilongwe (City), Lilongwe Airport (End)
Swahili Paradise Tours & Safaris
4.1/5 – 88 Reviews
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14-Day Malawi off the Beaten Track Safari
$6,681 to $7,350 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & ResortYou Visit: Lilongwe (Start), South Viphya FR, Nyika NP, Lake Malawi, Nkhotakota WR, Lilongwe (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 166 Reviews
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10-Day Conservation Malawi
$2,948 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Blantyre (Start), Majete WR, Zomba Plateau, Liwonde NP, Lake Malawi, Lilongwe (End)
Crafted Africa
4.9/5 – 72 Reviews
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5-Day From Wilderness to Waterfront Malawi Adventure
$2,805 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Resort
You Visit: Lilongwe (Start), Liwonde NP, Mangochi, Blantyre (City), Chileka Airport (End)
Baseline Travel
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11-Day Best of Malawi Birding
$5,061 to $5,542 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Guest HouseYou Visit: Blantyre (Start), Thyolo District, Zomba Plateau, Liwonde NP, Cape Maclear (Lake Malawi), Dzalanyama FR, Lilongwe (End)
Land & Lake Safaris
4.8/5 – 30 Reviews
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14-Day Malawi Family Safari Holiday
$7,487 to $9,639 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Blantyre (Start), Majete WR, Liwonde NP, Lilongwe (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 166 Reviews
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7-Day Luxury Tour in Malawi
$4,950 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Lilongwe (Start), Nkhotakota WR, Nankoma Island (Lake Malawi), Lilongwe Airport (End)
Baseline Travel
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13-Day Green Season Explorer (Zambia & Malawi)
$11,319 pp (USD)
Zambia & Malawi: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Resort
You Visit: Livingstone (Start), South Luangwa NP, Lake Malawi, Lilongwe (End)
Crafted Africa
4.9/5 – 72 Reviews
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1-Day Biking to Dzalanyama Forest
$165 pp (USD)
Malawi: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Lilongwe (Start), Dzalanyama FR, Lilongwe (End)
Land & Lake Safaris
4.8/5 – 30 Reviews
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13-Day Malawi Honeymoon Safari
$9,526 to $12,818 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Blantyre (Start), Majete WR, Liwonde NP, Lake Malawi, Lilongwe (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 166 Reviews
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8-Day Blantyre Mid Range Explore
$3,245 to $3,295 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Blantyre (Start), Majete WR, Zomba Plateau, Cape Maclear (Lake Malawi), Liwonde NP, Blantyre (End)
Baseline Travel
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11-Day Walk Malawi
$4,235 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tour
Mid-range Mountain Hut & LodgeYou Visit: Blantyre (Start), Chimwenya GP, Mt Mulanje, Zomba Plateau, Liwonde NP, Lake Malawi, Lilongwe (End)
Crafted Africa
4.9/5 – 72 Reviews
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½-Day Experience Lilongwe City
$99 pp (USD)
Malawi: ½ Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Lilongwe
Land & Lake Safaris
4.8/5 – 30 Reviews
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12-Day Classic Malawi Safari & Beach Holiday
$6,404 to $8,465 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Blantyre (Start), Majete WR, Liwonde NP, Lake Malawi, Cape Maclear (Lake Malawi), Lilongwe (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 166 Reviews
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4-Day Cultural and Heritage Tour
$1,320 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tourBudgetLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Blantyre (Start), Mua Mission (Highlight), Lilongwe Airport (End)
Baseline Travel
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10-Day Women in Malawi
$4,030 to $4,454 pp (USD)
Scheduled Start DatesMalawi: Shared tour (max 12 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Camping & LodgeYou Visit: Blantyre (Start), Zomba Plateau, Liwonde NP, Mumbo Island (Lake Malawi), Mua Mission (Highlight), Dzalanyama FR, Lilongwe (End)
Land & Lake Safaris
4.8/5 – 30 Reviews
8 Questions About Malawi Safaris
Answered by
Ariadne van Zandbergen
Ariadne is a renowned African wildlife photographer whose work is featured in many well-known guidebooks and magazines. She and her husband form a team who write and update many Bradt guides, including the guide to Malawi.› More about Ariadne
8 Questions About Malawi Safaris
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 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 1What 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 Zomba Plateau.”
2How 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 midrange 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 accommodation for three different markets: camping, a standard midrange camp and a luxury exclusive lodge. So no matter your budget, Malawi safari prices should be well within your reach.”
3What is the wildlife viewing like in Malawi?
“Malawi is a very scenic country, but it’s not primarily a wildlife destination. Having said that, the parks have improved hugely in recent times and its reputation as a wildlife destination is growing steadily. Majete Wildlife Reserve is a Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) destination and part of it has been set aside as a private concession for the famous Robin Pope Safaris. With the help of African Parks, Majete has been regenerated and restocked from almost nothing, and it is rapidly becoming a top wildlife destination. Another gem to include in Malawi safari trips is Liwonde National Park. This very scenic park is on a beautiful stretch of the Shire River and boat-based safaris here are particularly rewarding. Hippos and crocodiles are abundant, and elephants can often be found drinking as well. Nyika National Park, which is more reminiscent of the European countryside than the African bush, offers a more low-key experience. Many antelope species can be seen grazing on the grassy hills, and leopards are often spotted on night drives.”
› More about the wildlife of Malawi 4How 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.”
5How 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 online reviews for customer satisfaction and avoid any operators with limited or too much negative feedback.”
6What type of accommodation can I expect?
“Although Malawi initially mainly catered to backpackers, there is now a full range of accommodation available when on a safari tour. Different levels and styles of accommodation 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 in Majete Wildlife Reserve. A full range of accommodation options is available along the shores of Lake Malawi, ranging from small resorts and boutique hotels to backpacker hostels, campgrounds and guesthouses.”
7What 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 people will spend some time on the lake as well as in the parks. The diving and snorkeling is fantastic, and the calm freshwater lake makes the whole experience easier than sea-based activities.”
8Malawi Safari Reviews
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
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...
Sue is an award-winning writer who specializes in African travel and conservation. She writes for national newspapers, magazines, Rough Guides and Lonely Planet.
Malawi: More Than ‘the Warm Heart of Africa’
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...
The warm heart of Africa - a destination full of natural diversity
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...
Not many different animals but great to see elephants.
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...