Tailormade Holidays in Malawi

Almost 600 kilometres long and up to 100 kilometres wide, Lake Malawi is the third largest lake in Africa and dominates the Malawian sector of the African Rift Valley. Palm-fringed sandy beaches, hanging cliffs and soaring mountains surround its warm and crystal-clear waters, and picturesque fishing villages dot the shoreline. This is an idyllic place for a few nights of relaxation during your holiday. With more freshwater fish species than any other lake in the world, many of which are endemic, taking to the water with mask and snorkel or by donning scuba gear is a unique and memorable experience. Other activities include kayaking, birding, swimming, walking, sailing and exploring local villages.

Liwonde is easily reached from Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, by means of a scenic drive through the southern end of the Great Rift Valley, then a boat trip across the Shire River. This is one of southern Africa's most beautiful parks and is certainly Malawi’s premier wildlife destination. Home to over 600 African Elephants and one of Africa’s densest populations of Hippos (with nearly 2,000), one of the highlights of Liwonde is exploring the Shire River and its creeks by boat. Game viewing in the bush and savannahs of the park can be enjoyed on foot or by vehicle, with Impala, Waterbuck, Sable Antelope and Greater Kudu among the diurnal mammals to be seen, while a night-drive can produce such nocturnal species as Spotted Hyena, Rusty-spotted Genet, White-tailed Mongoose, African Civet, Crested Porcupine and Lesser Bushbaby. The birdlife here is particularly diverse and abundant. Palm-nut Vulture, Bateleur, and both Western Banded and Brown Snake Eagles are amongst the raptors, and Racket-tailed Roller, Crested Barbet and Arnot’s Chat represent other highlights. In addition to the localised Böhm’s Bee-eater, the park also supports Little, Swallow-tailed, Southern Carmine and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters along with numerous weavers, bishops and whydahs.

In the far south of Malawi lies the Zomba Plateau, a dramatic 2,000-metre table-top mountain covered by forests that are filled with tumbling streams. This is an excellent place to explore, using the fabulous network of walking trails that this attractive region has to offer. Some interesting bird species may be found here such as Schalow’s Lourie, Long-tailed Wagtail, White-tailed Crested Flycatcher and Saw-wing Swallow, while a visit to the town of Zomba, with its faded colonial charm and bustling markets, is another highlight of the area.

The Majete Wildlife Reserve lies deep in the southwestern corner of Malawi. Although established as a protected area in the 1955, the park’s wildlife was brutally depleted during the late 1970s and 80s due to mismanagement, logging and poaching. By the end of the 20^th century, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion and even smaller mammals, such as Warthog, had been driven to local extinction. However, the turn of the 21^st century saw a revelation in public attitudes and the park has since undergone a complete transformation. Following the reintroduction of over 5,000 animals from 17 species, the park has become perhaps one of conservations greatest success stories. Today, Majete is Malawi’s premier wildlife watching destination, boasting a ‘Big 5’ game status. The park now holds strong populations of megafauna and continues to benefit hugely from wildlife tourism. Key mammal species here include Kudu, Elephant, Black Rhino, Sable Antelope, Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest, Spotted Hyena, Leopard, Lion, Cheetah and (recently) Wild Dog. As for avifauna, over 300 species can be found within the park, including a healthy population of Bateleur Eagles.

The Nyika Plateau is part of the wider Nyika National Park that occupies a chunk of northern Malawi and a small segment of north-eastern Zambia. The Plateau itself rises above Lake Malawi, sitting at just over 2000m above sea level, with the highest point – Ngangda Peak – summitting at 2,605m. It is host to a wealth of wildlife, including Crawshay’s Zebra, Eland, Roan Antelope and the highest density of Leopards in Malawi. The area also features an abundance of avifauna, with over 400 species recorded to date. Key targets include Denham’s Bustard, Red-Winged Francolin, Wattled Crane, Bar-tailed Trogon and Malachite Sunbird. Between November and April, the park enjoys the return of a large number of migratory species, making this a fantastic time for birders to visit.