Why Malawi Is the Hidden Jewel of East Africa
The country is emerging as one of the finest safari destinations in the world, but its proximity to Lake Malawi adds an additional dimension.
The peaceful, lesser-touristed East African nation of Malawi has been blossoming after recent conservation initiatives, making it a safari destination to watch. Many of its protected areas, including Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve, are home to abundant wildlife, including lions, elephants, antelopes, and birds. The western portion of Lake Malawi, one of the largest and deepest freshwater lakes in the world, accounts or more than 20 percent of the nation’s area, keeping Malawi well supplied with fresh fish. It is also a major draw for visitors, providing ample opportunities for kayaking, sailing, and snorkeling.
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When to Go
Malawi is a year-round destination, but the driest, most comfortable weather arrives between May and August, with moderate temperatures in much of the country, though the highlands can be cold after dark at this time of year. September and October are hotter and drier, prompting elephants and other animals to congregate around waterholes, making them easier to spot. From November to April, Malawi gets hot, humid, and rainy, but this part of the year can be excellent for photography and birdwatching, with lush landscapes dotted with wildflowers. It's an excellent time for spotting migratory birds, many of which will be sporting their breeding plumage.
What to Do
View Wildlife:
Home to the Big Five as well as abundant hippos and crocodiles, Liwonde National Park is Malawi’s top wildlife-watching region. Besides scenic drives and bushwalks, boat trips on the Shire River are highly recommended. A close second is Majete, which has benefited from significant species reintroduction initiatives in recent years. Like Liwonde, it is a Big Five reserve, and visitors can often also see cheetahs and wild dogs.
Venture Out on Lake Malawi:
All along the lake’s sandy shores there are scattered, appealingly laid-back settlements where visitors can explore the freshwater beaches, indulge in water sports, and dine on the catch of the day. Likoma, the larger of the lake’s two inhabited islands, is also worth a visit.
Climb Mount Mulanje:
Famous for its granite cliffs, this 9,800-foot peak is sacred to the Yao, Mang’anja, and Lhomwe peoples, who believe it to be the dwelling place of their ancestral spirits. It offers exhilaratingly remote hiking trails.
Walk the Highlands:
At the heart of Nyika National Park, Malawi’s largest, is the Nyika Plateau, a favored destination for trekkers. Zebras graze in the grasslands, which are speckled in October and November with wild orchids.
Getting Around
Malawi’s main airport, Kamuzu International, is about 17 miles north of Lilongwe, the capital, and is served by direct flights from Nairobi, Addis Ababa, and Johannesburg. A second international airport, Chileka, lies about 10 miles north of Blantyre, the country’s finance hub and second largest city. Domestic flights connect the two airports, Likoma Island, and Chelinda Camp, a highlands retreat in Nyika National Park. Most visitors join an organized tour with a guide, though it’s possible to tour the country independently by public buses and coaches or, for more flexibility, with a rental car.
