The most luxurious lodges in Malawi
Peacock Cichlid Safari
4 days • 1 location
LILONGWE AIRPORT TO LILONGWE AIRPORT
US$3,430 - US$4,480 per person
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.
Red Zebra Cichlid Safari
7 days • 2 locations
BLANTYRE AIRPORT TO LILONGWE AIRPORT
US$3,400 - US$4,500 per person
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.
Utaka Cichlid Safari
10 days • 3 locations
BLANTYRE AIRPORT TO LILONGWE AIRPORT
US$4,340 - US$5,700 per person
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.
Hyena Safari
11 days • 4 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO LILONGWE AIRPORT
US$8,630 - US$11,910 per person
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Luxury elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Luxury in other countries.
Botswana
Botswana's tourism policy aims for high value, low impact tourism. This results in high prices, ...
Kenya
Kenya is distinguished by the diversity of its landscapes, wildlife and culture – but there’s an ...
Mozambique
Mozambique is off the beaten track. The tourism industry is currently still developing and many ...
Namibia
Wide-open spaces, seemingly endless wilderness and a sense of solitude almost guaranteed: Namibia ...
Rwanda
Rwanda offers striking scenery, diverse wildlife and great cultural experiences – but until recently, ...
Seychelles
With the sun reflecting on the deep blue Indian Ocean, palm-fringed beaches and lush forests, the ...
South Africa
South Africa is an amazing place to experience a luxury holiday. Here you can relax on incredible ...
Tanzania
When it comes to luxurious accommodation, Tanzania isn’t short of beautiful camps and lodges offering ...
Zambia
Zambia has plentiful wildlife across huge areas and many very experienced guides. Although as its ...
Zanzibar
With endless palm-fringed beaches, turquoise waters and accommodation built with world-class comfort ...
Zimbabwe
With great game viewing, vast national parks and some stunning scenery, Zimbabwe is fantastic to ...
Where to see wildlife species in Malawi
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Other styles of holiday in Malawi
Discover all that Malawi has to offer
Beach holidays
Discover Africa's coast and tropical islands.
Birdwatching
Diverse habitats, discreet hides and superb guiding.
Cultural experiences
Get an insight into Africa's cultures and history.
Diving & snorkelling
Find captivating marine life beneath the waves
Luxury
First-class service, scenic vistas and unparalleled comfort await you during these carefully selected luxury holidays.
Private villas & houses
Enjoy Africa with just your friends & family
Riding holidays
Explore Africa's wilderness on horseback.
Walking
Explore Africa's most scenic trails on foot.
Wildlife safaris
These trips include hard-hitting game and fascinatingly elusive species alike, as well as superb guiding and a variety of diverse ecosystems.