Experience walking in Malawi
Walking in Malawi can be a fantastic way to explore the local culture. Walks on Lake Malawi's islands, and in towns can be arranged locally and you will usually be accompanied with a guide. Alternatively, for some more wilderness-based walking there are some nature trails to explore more forested environments.
Peacock Cichlid Safari
4 days • 1 location
LILONGWE AIRPORT TO LILONGWE AIRPORT
US$2,520 - US$3,650 per person
Kaya Mawa
From Kaya Mawa, on Likoma Island, you can take a gentle stroll through the village to visit the cathedral. Either walking alone, or with a locally arranged guide, Kaya Mawa is good for some light walking in Malawi.
Red Zebra Cichlid Safari
7 days • 2 locations
BLANTYRE AIRPORT TO LILONGWE AIRPORT
US$3,440 - US$4,730 per person
Pumulani
Walking at Pumulani is best with a guide, who can take you along the lake shore, near the hillside and into the nearby villages. For some variety, try the option of kayaking back along the lake after your walk.
Mkulumadzi
Malawi’s Mkulumadzi is a small, smart camp with eight chalets and offers relaxed walking in the Majete Wildlife Reserve, where birdlife is varied and different species, including elephant, buffalo, zebra, black rhino, sable and eland, are often seen.
Utaka Cichlid Safari
10 days • 3 locations
BLANTYRE AIRPORT TO LILONGWE AIRPORT
US$4,610 - US$6,250 per person
Pumulani
Walking at Pumulani is best with a guide, who can take you along the lake shore, near the hillside and into the nearby villages. For some variety, try the option of kayaking back along the lake after your walk.
Mkulumadzi
Malawi’s Mkulumadzi is a small, smart camp with eight chalets and offers relaxed walking in the Majete Wildlife Reserve, where birdlife is varied and different species, including elephant, buffalo, zebra, black rhino, sable and eland, are often seen.
Orange Cap Cichlid Safari
7 days • 2 locations
LILONGWE AIRPORT TO LILONGWE AIRPORT
US$4,280 - US$5,310 per person
Mumbo Island
Mumbo Island is fantastic for waking in Malawi, with lots of well-marked nature trails around the huge granite boulders that cover the island. Some walks lead through heavily forested areas, others to places of interest, or panoramic viewpoints.
Hyena Safari
11 days • 4 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO LILONGWE AIRPORT
US$7,680 - US$10,320 per person
Kaya Mawa
From Kaya Mawa, on Likoma Island, you can take a gentle stroll through the village to visit the cathedral. Either walking alone, or with a locally arranged guide, Kaya Mawa is good for some light walking in Malawi.
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Walking elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Walking in other countries.

Botswana
The wildlife in Botswana is free to move across the country, which creates ample opportunity for ...

Kenya
Game walks in Kenya are less well-known than in other parts of southern and eastern Africa, but ...

Namibia
Namibia offers some of Africa's best walking, from gentle wanders to challenging multi-day hikes ...

Rwanda
Walking in Rwanda is usually based around the spectacular gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park...

Seychelles
The sound of waves crashing on the shoreline, palm-fringed beaches and panoramic views over the ...

South Africa
South Africa boasts a variety of walking opportunities: gentle strolls along sandy beaches, self-guided ...

Tanzania
In Tanzania the walking is especially good in the area surrounding the Ngorongoro Crater, ranging ...

Zambia
With expertly trained guides and high concentrations of wildlife, Zambia is one of Africa's best ...

Zimbabwe
Take a walk on the wild side and explore Zimbabwe and its stunning scenery on foot. There are great ...
Where to see wildlife species in Africa
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite African 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
3,378 sightings from 3,717 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
1,806 sightings from 3,839 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
2,817 sightings from 3,463 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.
32% SUCCESS
938 sightings from 2,918 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
821 sightings from 2,574 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
1,996 sightings from 3,657 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
567 sightings from 1,866 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
3,231 sightings from 3,748 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
2,367 sightings from 2,865 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
2,468 sightings from 2,762 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.
22% SUCCESS
422 sightings from 1,923 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
1,320 sightings from 2,756 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.
23% SUCCESS
446 sightings from 1,922 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
2,287 sightings from 3,400 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
3,545 sightings from 4,205 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
50 sightings from 3,082 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
67 sightings from 3,102 observations
