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Luxury in Malawi
Luxury in Malawi
Luxury in Malawi
Luxury in Malawi
Luxury in Malawi
Luxury in Malawi

Luxury safaris in Malawi

The most luxurious lodges in Malawi

There are only a small number of high-end lodges in Malawi, but these are small, intimate and very comfortable – and so have what it takes for a luxurious holiday. Despite the stunning swimming pools and breath-taking views, none are really ‘mainstream’. But for ‘off the beaten track’ luxury, Malawi could be just the place.

Kaya Mawa

Kaya Mawa is a luxurious lakeside lodge with eleven rooms, all different in size and style. One room even occupies its own island. All are built out of local stone and furnished with locally crafted furniture and decorated with beautifully hand-made throws and cushions.


Pumulani

Each air-conditioned villa at Pumulani is vast: a massive bathroom with twin showers and elegant freestanding bath leads to a spacious bedroom, a separate lounge and a veranda. If space is your ultimate luxury, Pumulani is a great choice – complete with some great views.

Mkulumadzi

The spacious rooms with private verandas at Mkulumadzi Lodge are a comfortable spot to relax between safari activities. A clever cooling system above the beds, plus the use of locally sourced materials and vegetated roofs, ensure comfortable temperatures during the summer heat.


Pumulani

Each air-conditioned villa at Pumulani is vast: a massive bathroom with twin showers and elegant freestanding bath leads to a spacious bedroom, a separate lounge and a veranda. If space is your ultimate luxury, Pumulani is a great choice – complete with some great views.

Mkulumadzi

The spacious rooms with private verandas at Mkulumadzi Lodge are a comfortable spot to relax between safari activities. A clever cooling system above the beds, plus the use of locally sourced materials and vegetated roofs, ensure comfortable temperatures during the summer heat.


Kaya Mawa

Kaya Mawa is a luxurious lakeside lodge with eleven rooms, all different in size and style. One room even occupies its own island. All are built out of local stone and furnished with locally crafted furniture and decorated with beautifully hand-made throws and cushions.

Best camps & lodges for Luxury in Malawi


Ndomo Point House

Ndomo Point House

Ndomo Point House is a four bedroomed house with its own private swimming pool overlooking its own beach and stunning views of the lake. It is ideal for a large family or a group of friends travelling together who prefer complete privacy; it even comes with its own chef and housekeeper.


No reviews yet
Latitude 13

Latitude 13

Lilongwe’s most luxurious hotel, Latitude 13, isn’t The Ritz, but each modern room includes a lounge furnished with cosy plush sofas, a flat screen TV and efficient air conditioning. A small gym plus a pool in the lovely garden complete Latitude 13’s relatively opulent offering.


69% (11 reviews)
Mkulumadzi Lodge

Mkulumadzi

The spacious rooms with private verandas at Mkulumadzi Lodge are a comfortable spot to relax between safari activities. A clever cooling system above the beds, plus the use of locally sourced materials and vegetated roofs, ensure comfortable temperatures during the summer heat.


94% (31 reviews)
Pumulani

Pumulani

Each air-conditioned villa at Pumulani is vast: a massive bathroom with twin showers and elegant freestanding bath leads to a spacious bedroom, a separate lounge and a veranda. If space is your ultimate luxury, Pumulani is a great choice – complete with some great views.


93% (30 reviews)
Kaya Mawa

Kaya Mawa

Kaya Mawa is a luxurious lakeside lodge with eleven rooms, all different in size and style. One room even occupies its own island. All are built out of local stone and furnished with locally crafted furniture and decorated with beautifully hand-made throws and cushions.


96% (27 reviews)

Best camps & lodges for Luxury in Africa

Luxury elsewhere in Africa

Our top ideas and inspiration for Luxury in other countries.


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Botswana

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Mozambique

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Luxury in Namibia

Namibia

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Rwanda

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Luxury in Seychelles

Seychelles

With the sun reflecting on the deep blue Indian Ocean, palm-fringed beaches and lush forests, the ...

Luxury in South Africa

South Africa

South Africa is an amazing place to experience a luxury holiday. Here you can relax on incredible ...

Luxury in Tanzania

Tanzania

When it comes to luxurious accommodation, Tanzania isn’t short of beautiful camps and lodges offering ...

Luxury in Zambia

Zambia

Zambia has plentiful wildlife across huge areas and many very experienced guides. Although as its ...

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Zanzibar

With endless palm-fringed beaches, turquoise waters and accommodation built with world-class comfort ...

Luxury in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

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Where to see wildlife species in Malawi

Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.


Elephant

Elephant

Loxodonta africana

By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.

91% SUCCESS

3,969 sightings from 4,367 observations

Where to see elephant in Malawi

Leopard

Leopard

Panthera pardus

The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.

47% SUCCESS

2,115 sightings from 4,507 observations

Where to see leopard in Malawi

Lion

Lion

Panthera leo

Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.

81% SUCCESS

3,287 sightings from 4,064 observations

Where to see lion in Malawi

Cheetah

Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.

33% SUCCESS

1,116 sightings from 3,422 observations

Where to see cheetah in Malawi

Wild dog

Wild dog

Lycaon pictus

African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.

32% SUCCESS

956 sightings from 3,008 observations

Where to see wild dog in Malawi

Spotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena

Crocuta crocuta

The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.

55% SUCCESS

2,353 sightings from 4,292 observations

Where to see spotted hyena in Malawi

Black Rhino

Black Rhino

Diceros bicornis

The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.

30% SUCCESS

660 sightings from 2,199 observations

Where to see black rhino in Malawi

Giraffe

Giraffe

Giraffa camelopardalis

The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.

86% SUCCESS

3,804 sightings from 4,431 observations

Where to see giraffe in Malawi

Buffalo

Buffalo

Syncerus caffer

One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.

83% SUCCESS

2,790 sightings from 3,368 observations

Where to see buffalo in Malawi

Hippo

Hippo

Hippopotamus amphibius

The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.

89% SUCCESS

2,913 sightings from 3,258 observations

Where to see hippo in Malawi

Sable antelope

Sable antelope

Hippotragus niger

Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.

23% SUCCESS

517 sightings from 2,237 observations

Where to see sable antelope in Malawi

Eland

Eland

Taurotragus oryx

Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.

48% SUCCESS

1,551 sightings from 3,210 observations

Where to see eland in Malawi

Roan antelope

Roan antelope

Hippotragus equinus

Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.

24% SUCCESS

536 sightings from 2,226 observations

Where to see roan antelope in Malawi

Wildebeest

Wildebeest

Connochaetes sp.

Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.

67% SUCCESS

2,670 sightings from 3,980 observations

Where to see wildebeest in Malawi

Zebra

Zebra

Equus sp.

The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.

84% SUCCESS

4,168 sightings from 4,956 observations

Where to see zebra in Malawi

Pangolin

Pangolin

Smutsia sp.

Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.

2% SUCCESS

60 sightings from 3,611 observations

Where to see pangolin in Malawi

Aardvark

Aardvark

Orycteropus afer

The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.

2% SUCCESS

78 sightings from 3,585 observations

Where to see aardvark in Malawi

Inspire me

Need inspiration?

Let our trip chooser narrow down the options for you

Inspire me

Other styles of holiday in Malawi

Discover all that Malawi has to offer


Beach holidays

Beach holidays

Discover Africa's coast and tropical islands.

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Diverse habitats, discreet hides and superb guiding.

Cultural experiences

Cultural experiences

Get an insight into Africa's cultures and history.

Diving & snorkelling

Diving & snorkelling

Find captivating marine life beneath the waves

Luxury

Luxury

First-class service, scenic vistas and unparalleled comfort await you during these carefully selected luxury holidays. 

Private villas & houses

Private villas & houses

Enjoy Africa with just your friends & family

Riding holidays

Riding holidays

Explore Africa's wilderness on horseback.

Walking

Walking

Explore Africa's most scenic trails on foot.

Wildlife safaris

Wildlife safaris

These trips include hard-hitting game and fascinatingly elusive species alike, as well as superb guiding and a variety of diverse ecosystems.

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