Malawi Travel: 8 Reasons to Add Malawi to Your Bucket List

Are you searching for an African escape that promises total tranquillity, effortless beauty, and an authentic experience far from the typical safari routes? You’ve found it. It’s time to consider Malawi.

Malawi travel routes are often overlooked for its more famous neighbours. Slowly this is beginning to change as travellers notice the sparkle of this gem in southeastern Africa. Travel to Malawi is defined by its warm, low-stress, and safe environment – a true haven for the discerning traveller.

We’ve compiled eight reasons why you should visit Malawi, also known as the “Warm Heart of Africa”.

1. The Convenience of Combining Lake and Land

Malawi travel offers the unique convenience of combining a classic Big Five safari with a freshwater beach escape in one seamless itinerary.

Unlike the logistical challenges and lengthy inter-country flights often required to link separate bush and coastal destinations, Malawi’s compact and efficient setup allows for simple travel.

You can awaken to the sights and sounds of the deep bush in Majete Wildlife Reserve, enjoy a final game drive spotting the Big Five, and be relaxing on the sun-drenched, palm-fringed shores of Lake Malawi in a matter of hours.

This efficient transition means you trade the dust and drama of a safari for the vibrant, liquid tranquillity of the cichlid-filled waters without losing a precious day to lengthy international transfers.

2. Africa’s Inland Ocean

A visit to Malawi is incomplete without experiencing Lake Malawi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the third largest lake in Africa, and the ninth largest in the world by surface area. More fish species can be found there than in any other lake on the planet, with colourful cichlids making up 90% of them.

This extraordinary body of water is not just a lake; it’s an enormous, crystal-clear freshwater ocean, perfect for snorkelling, kayaking, and sailing. It offers deep relief from the everyday, with uncrowded beaches and a sense of exclusive tranquillity.

Luxury lodges offer incredible access to this watery wonderland. For instance, Kaya Mawa, a lodge on Likoma Island, is right along the shore. Imagine stepping off the private deck of your suite and into the shimmering waters of Lake Malawi.

3. Safari Without the Crowds

If being made to do too much or dealing with crowded sightings is a concern, Malawi provides the perfect solution. Due to Malawi being somewhat of a hidden gem in the safari world, you can experience the thrill of a classic safari without the crowds.

You have the opportunity to spot Malawi’s magnificent wildlife – such as elephants, hyenas, lions, and even African wild dogs – on a classic game drive at parks like Majete Wildlife Reserve and Liwonde National Park.

All this can be experienced without the frenetic pace of busier destinations, guaranteeing a world-class, yet wonderfully tranquil, African experience.

4. A Story of Conservation Success

Malawi’s parks, particularly Majete and Liwonde, are celebrated conservation success stories thanks to decades of dedicated effort to transform these parks into thriving ecosystems.

By the late 1990s, wildlife in Majete had been nearly completely wiped out due to decades of intense poaching. Its last elephants were seen in 1992 after which it was declared a “dead park”. However, following extensive conservation efforts in 2003, Majete has seen the successful reintroduction of over 4,000 animals from 16 different species, including the Big Five.

Liwonde National Park has seen a similar revival. Following the introduction of new management, African Parks, in 2015, the park has seen a remarkable recovery in wildlife populations. So much so that between 2016 and 2017 Liwonde became the centre of an ambitious conservation project, “500 Elephants“.

This project saw over 500 elephants and more than 2,000 other animals move from Liwonde and Majete to Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve in northern Malawi to aid in its conservation recovery.

5. Boating Safaris on the Shire River

The Shire River, flowing out of Lake Malawi and eventually joining the Zambezi, is a highlight of a visit to Liwonde. Taking a slow, silent boating safari here is a profoundly peaceful experience. Glide past hippos, crocodiles, and prolific birdlife, soaking up the calm without ever feeling rushed.

Its riverbanks are typically fringed with tall reeds, dense riverine forest, and massive baobab trees. It’s a smooth and calm journey. Unlike motorised game drives, these safaris often use small, quiet boats, sometimes even gliding along using the minimal current.

The quiet movement along the water allows you to be fully immersed in the river ecosystem – not just observing the wildlife, but hearing every rustle and splash, creating a profoundly peaceful and unforgettable waterborne safari.

6. The “Warm Heart of Africa”

Malawi earned its nickname, the “Warm Heart of Africa”, because of the genuinely kind, welcoming, and gentle nature of its people. This warmth is what Malawi is known for and contributes significantly to the destination’s low-stress and safe environment, making your travels feel personal and reassuring.

This characteristic is arguably one of the country’s most significant drawcards, complementing the stunning natural landscapes of the lake and the bush. The positive human interaction elevates Malawi travel from a simple vacation to a meaningful cultural experience.

7. Exclusive, Unhurried Lodges

When it comes to Malawi accommodation, expect intimate, high-quality lodges and camps that prioritise your privacy and comfort. This is where you find true “barefoot luxury” – impeccable service, stunning natural settings, and an atmosphere that encourages you to slow down.

For the water-loving traveller seeking ultimate tranquillity, the Blue Zebra Island Lodge is an eco-conscious dream. Located on the secluded Nankoma Island within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lake Malawi National Park, this lodge offers a blissful aquatic escape. Staying in spacious, safari-style chalets with private balconies, you are mere steps away from the lake.

Conversely, for a classic Big Five safari experience blended with seclusion, Mkulumadzi Lodge delivers profound exclusivity. Tucked within the Majete Wildlife Reserve, the lodge features just eight light and spacious chalets, each boasting a private deck overlooking the dramatic confluence of the Shire and Mkulumadzi Rivers.

This unique combination – linking the deep wilderness of Majete with the island tranquillity of Lake Malawi – is what makes Malawi so alluring. By seamlessly combining the Big Five excitement of the bush with the aquatic relaxation of Lake Malawi, you can craft the ultimate luxury safari experience in Africa.

8. The World’s Greatest Natural Aquarium

Lake Malawi is a biological wonder, boasting more endemic fish species – specifically, colourful cichlids – than any other lake in the world. Snorkelling here is like swimming in the world’s greatest natural aquarium, offering a vibrant, peaceful underwater world to explore.

You will find yourself gliding weightlessly with schools of neon-bright fish, encountering thousands of vibrantly coloured cichlids, a kinetic spectacle of colour that no other destination can replicate. The sheer scale of this evolution is a spectacle, with over 800 species of cichlids having developed here from a single ancestor.

While snorkelling, you are most likely to encounter two main groups of these vibrant fish, mbuna (or rockfish) and haps. Mbuna are small, territorial cichlids that turn the lakes’ rocky shorelines into a living kaleidoscope. Look out for the intense, gem-like hues of the electric yellow cichlid and the striking patterns of the blue zebra cichlid.

Meanwhile, haps are generally a larger species that patrol deeper regions of Lake Malawi, where they prey on juvenile cichlids with a special hunting technique. After spotting prey, it will partially submerge itself into the sand and lie motionless until the chosen fish comes within reach. it will then dart out of the sand and strike.

Ready to Visit Malawi?

If the idea of a safari without crowds and the ultimate freshwater beach escape has captured your imagination, it’s time to start planning your journey. Travelling to Malawi is an invitation to get off the well-trodden path and experience something new.

Explore our Malawi tours today and begin crafting your bush and beach escape.