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Malawi
Malawi
Malawi
Malawi
Malawi
Malawi

Lake Malawi, the most southerly Rift Valley's great lakes, perfect for a myriad water activities

A wildlife success story, the revival of Liwonde National Park

Lake Malawi's Marelli Archipelago - perfect for water activities

Liwonde National Park, the sluggish Shire River offers great game viewing options

Lake Malombe, one of Africa's breathtaking Great Rift Valley freshwater lakes

Lake Malawi National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site - forget the Caribbean!

Malawi

Malawi safari holidays and tours

Visiting Malawi: safaris & lake trips

With very little tourism in Malawi, and a lot of farmland and exceptionally friendly people, Malawi holidays can be very relaxing and special.

The main attraction is Lake Malawi, a fresh water lake, covering almost 30,000km² which is home for a variety of endemic cichlid fish species. This is the venue for relaxing beach holidays as well as some exciting water sports, in the heart of Africa. Meanwhile, away from the lake, there are many options for safari holidays on Malawi’s game reserves, and even some hiking trips.

Look through our suggestions for trips below, then call us and let us help you to create an individual Malawi holiday just for you.

Malawi
Showing 1-5 of 5
Name
Duration
Cost
Itinerary image

Hyena Safari

11 days • 4 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO LILONGWE AIRPORT

Mix relaxation and adventure on a safari combining the South Luangwa with Victoria Falls and the beaches of Lake Malawi. These three locations are among the most iconic in southern Africa.

US$7,680 - US$10,320 per person

Itinerary image

Orange Cap Cichlid Safari

7 days • 2 locations
LILONGWE AIRPORT TO LILONGWE AIRPORT

Combine a safari in the lush and resurgent Liwonde National Park with down time at an island eco-retreat in the middle of Lake Malawi. A great way to explore Malawi.

US$4,280 - US$5,310 per person

Itinerary image

Peacock Cichlid Safari

4 days • 1 locations
LILONGWE AIRPORT TO LILONGWE AIRPORT

Snorkel in Lake Malawi’s famously clear fresh water, relax on the beach and explore Likoma Island from the award-winning Kaya Mawa. A chilled luxury add-on to end your safari.

US$2,520 - US$3,650 per person

Itinerary image

Red Zebra Cichlid Safari

7 days • 2 locations
BLANTYRE AIRPORT TO LILONGWE AIRPORT

Explore two of Malawi's highlights, with a safari in rugged, remote Majete Wildlife Reserve before some beach time: relaxing, snorkelling and sailing in Lake Malawi National Park.

US$3,440 - US$4,730 per person

Itinerary image

Utaka Cichlid Safari

10 days • 3 locations
BLANTYRE AIRPORT TO LILONGWE AIRPORT

Explore two of Malawi's safari parks - Majete Wildlife Reserve and Liwonde National Park - before finishing your trip with some beach time: relaxing, snorkelling and sailing in Lake Malawi National Park.

US$4,610 - US$6,250 per person

Showing 1-5 of 5

Our travellers' 10 most recent Malawi reviews

All are published in full; none have been edited. Click the button below to browse all 91 reviews.


98%
91 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
84
Good
6
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
A&S from Northampton

Arrived 1 Sep 2023, 20 nights

"My Sep 2023 trip"

"whole trip was great and well organised …" Read A&S’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs H from Kent

Arrived 12 Aug 2023, 18 nights

"My Aug 2023 trip"

"It was a very enjoyable trip with plenty of sights …" Read Mr & Mrs H’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Miss S. from Brockenhurst

Arrived 1 Aug 2023, 15 nights

"My Aug 2023 trip"

"I always love returning to Zambia & it was my 9th visit …" Read Miss S.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs V. from Leiden

Arrived 24 Apr 2023, 11 nights

"My Apr 2023 trip"

"This was our fifth trip with EA and we started to plan our sixth one immediately …" Read Mr & Mrs V.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs. E. from Zurich

Arrived 11 Nov 2022, 18 nights

"Malawi & Zambia in Nov 2022"

"We would choose Expert Africa any day as we consider them to be the best …" Read Mr & Mrs. E.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Miss H & Dr B from London

Arrived 18 Sep 2022, 13 nights

"Big birthday Africa trip 2022"

"EA are very best.. knowledge & experience is exceptional.. advice is accurate.. …" Read Miss H & Dr B’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs H from W. Sussex

Arrived 15 Sep 2022, 15 nights

"Our Sep 2022 trip to Zambia and Malawi"

"a fantastic way to celebrate our Ruby Wedding anniversary …" Read Mr & Mrs H’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs H from Kent

Arrived 19 Sep 2022, 19 nights

"My Sep 2022 trip"

"one of our best ever holidays... Claire's itinerary could not be faulted... …" Read Mr & Mrs H’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

B family from Switzerland

Arrived 5 Sep 2022, 20 nights

"My Sep 2022 trip"

"Everything great …" Read B family’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

The C family from Dorset

Arrived 26 May 2022, 10 nights

"My May 2022 trip"

"overall service and value from Expert Africa was fantastic. …" Read The C family’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Malawi reviews

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Our travellers’ wildlife sightings in Malawi

This is their success in sighting key species on our trips in Malawi. Click on a species for more detail. How we work this out.


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

3,376 sightings from 3,715 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

1,804 sightings from 3,837 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

2,815 sightings from 3,461 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.

32% SUCCESS

936 sightings from 2,916 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

819 sightings from 2,572 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

1,994 sightings from 3,655 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

567 sightings from 1,864 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

3,229 sightings from 3,746 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

2,365 sightings from 2,863 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

2,466 sightings from 2,760 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.

22% SUCCESS

422 sightings from 1,923 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

1,318 sightings from 2,754 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.

23% SUCCESS

446 sightings from 1,922 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

2,285 sightings from 3,398 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

3,543 sightings from 4,203 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

50 sightings from 3,080 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

67 sightings from 3,100 observations

Where to see aardvark in Malawi

Let us help you customise your trip

All of our holidays on this site are just ideas; none are fixed. All of our trips are tailor-made, so we'll always adapt them to suit you. Talk to an Expert and let us help you to work out your perfect trip.


Talk to an Expert

Call us now! We’ll match you with the Specialist in our team who is best suited to help you. Then together we can start planning your trip.

Set up your itinerary

Based on our experience and your ideas, your specialist will create a detailed, costed itinerary. We’ll refine it together, until we have a trip that you’re perfectly happy with.

Prepare for your trip

The same Specialist will make the seamless arrangements for your trip, send you detailed travel documents, and be available to answer any questions before you depart.

Travel with peace of mind

After you set off, you’ll be cared for by our partners in Africa, most of whom have worked with Expert Africa for decades. And if you ever need us urgently, we’re available 24/7.

When you return

We love to learn about your trip, and so will always be grateful if you’ve the time to give feedback to your Specialist when you return.

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