1. Lake Malawi
Lake Malawi is one of the most impressive and beautiful lakes in the Southern Hemisphere. In fact, it is the third-largest in Africa. You’ll be forgiven if you think you’re on a sub-tropical island with its sandy beaches and palm trees, backed by towering mountains covered in rainforest. But Lake Malawi’s waters are also home to hundreds of species of fish, giving life to rural fishing villages along its shores.
2. Freshwater diving and snorkelling
Malawi is possibly one of the best freshwater diving and snorkelling spots in Africa. Plus it is also a great place to learn how to dive if you are a first-timer. Keen divers are often eager to “tick-off” a dive in this spot as the visibility is excellent and the water is warm. And you don’t have to go out in a boat to get to the nearest coral reef.
3. Relaxed Malawi safari experiences
Though Malawi is not one of the top game-viewing countries in Africa, it still has two or three very attractive Game Reserves. Namely Liwonde National Park, Majete Game Reserve and the Tongole Wilderness. These offer plentiful sightings of elephants, hippos, crocodiles, plenty of water-adapted antelope. And of course their predators which naturally follow the wildlife. Another plus point is that these game reserves are all easily connected by road.
4. Bush and Beach
Yes, Malawi is one of the easiest countries in which to combine ‘bush and beach’. And you can do this without losing a forced overnight stay in Johannesburg. Liwonde National Park is only 2 to 3 hours by road from the southern lodges along Lake Malawi. Furthermore, there are daily flights from the South Luangwa National Park into Lilongwe. And then connecting flights onto Lake Malawi. You can be on safari in South Luangwa in the morning and on the beach at Lake Malawi in the afternoon – a perfect combo!
5. Biking in Nyika
The Nyika Plateau is Malawi’s largest National Park that boasts a stunning afro-montane plateau with plenty of plains game to view. Watch out for zebra, Roan antelope, eland, and bushpig. In addition, there are 400 species of birds and over 200 orchid species to look out for. This is a truly superb environment for mountain biking in the bush!
6. Walking & Hiking
There are a number of magnificent hiking opportunities in this vast country. The Zomba Plateau, which rises to a height of 1 800metres (6 000 feet), presents relaxed hikes through lush forested areas. Experience incredible panoramic views and great bird-watching opportunities. Alternatively, Mount Mulanje is a huge granite massif in southern Malawi that provides wonderful hikes for families with its abundance of streams and peaks to explore. Another option is Nyika Plateau with its beautiful high rolling hills of grasslands dotted with zebra, antelope, orchids and butterflies – a hikers paradise!
7. Birding
Many African countries claim to be a birdwatcher’s paradise, but perhaps Malawi steals the prize. Its variety of habitats; from wetlands, to lakes, to forest, to Afro-montane highlands supports a remarkable diversity of birds. It has an astonishing list of 650 bird species, many of which are difficult to see anywhere else in the world.
Special birds include Lilian’s Lovebird, Brown-breasted Barbet, White-backed Night Heron, Rufous-bellied Heron, Long-toed Lapwing, Bat Hawk, Dickinson’s Kestrel, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Palmnut Vulture, Osprey, Livingstone’s Flycatcher, Fiery-necked and Gabon Nightjars, and calling African Barred Owlets. So Malawi is certainly worth adding to your bucket list if you are an enthusiastic birder.
