Malawi is such a genuinely friendly country, that it’s many people’s favourite overland safari destination! No wonder it’s constantly advertised as ‘the warm heart of Africa’ on almost every tourist brochure you lay your eyes on.

Not only will the Malawians make you feel like their new best friend, but the scenery is drop-dead gorgeous and incredibly diverse. It’s a haven for nature lovers, who will be crazy about its game reserves and national parks, and be spoiled with great mountain hiking and plateau trekking opportunities.

This gorgeous country lies along one side of the massive Lake Malawi, formerly known as Lake Nyasa.

Weather & when to go to Malawi

There’s only one wet season in Malawi, which is from December to March. During this time, it’s warm and humid during the day. It gets dry and cool from May to August, but then the heat and humidity makes a comeback in September and October.

In July, the average daytime temperature in the lower areas reaches an average of about 21°C (70°F), while it reaches about 26°C (79°F) in January. Between November and April, the climate is overall very pleasant, and reaches a temperature of around 20°C (68°F) in the higher areas, and 27°C (81°F) from May to October. During the night, the average temperatures in the highlands are low, and during clear nights in July it can sometimes drop right below freezing point! The temperatures are higher on the lake’s shore.

Most popular time to visit:

May – July: The conditions are less harsh, and the landscape looks fantastic. The only catch is that you’ll get to see some wildlife, but not as many as during the dry season.

Good time to visit:

Late April – Oct/Nov: Even though the heat can be incredibly unpleasant (especially in the lowlands), this is the dry season, which means this is the perfect time to come and see the wildlife.

During this season, you’ll see them all gather together at the waterholes. If you’re a keen bird watcher, come early in this season, when it’s still ridiculously hot, very wet, or both.

Best things to do in Malawi

1. Malawi is a haven for water-sports and fishing. It also has the world's first underwater game park.
2. When at Kande Beach, go swimming with a horse, or swim to the island.
3. It’s quite an experience playing a game of footie with some of the local kids, catching a lift on a fisherman’s canoe, bargaining for curios in Lilongwe’s market, exploring a Malawian village and eating out on local food.
4. Nothing compares to watching that orange sun rise over Lake Malawi, or diving in one of the world’s best freshwater lakes.

Areas of interest

Lilongwe

Lilongwe is the capital city of Malawi, but we don’t recommend spending too much time, if any, here, because it doesn’t offer that much to your average traveller. You’ve got the incredibly modern New City, which is the city centre. It’s filled with ministries, embassies, airline offices, travel agents and a bunch of mini-malls and office buildings.

Then you’ve got Old Town, which is far more inspiring. Here you’ll find the market, several restaurants and cafes, the bus station and some good accommodation. The market’s quite an interesting place to visit, even if you’re not planning on buying anything. It’s filled with pots and pans, vegetables, car and bike parts, live chickens and dried fish.

Lake Malawi

One of the country’s main attractions, Lake Malawi takes up almost 20% of the entire country.  

Kande Beach

One of the most well-known overland stops in Africa is the campsite at Malawi’s Kande Beach. It’s only 20km to the south of Chinteche on the northern lakeshore.

In 1995, overland expedition leader Dave Barton from England used this area for bush camping while he was running “Trans Africa” overland tours. After the Kande villagers accepted him, he got together with the chief and came up with the idea to start this campsite by employing the locals and so uplift the community.

Thanks to Dave’s efforts, Kande Beach is a perfect example of how overlanding can benefit communities at grass root level.

Northern lake shores

The least visited and among the country’s most beautiful areas, is where Lake Malawi is at its widest, which is at its northern shores. Not many people live there, so the beaches are more secluded, with miles and miles of pristine white sand and rough rock formations, and a charming fishing village here and there. Everything’s greener and lusher here, because the area is in the tropics.

You’ll find some simple beach resorts between Karonga and Salima, where your days will float past just like a sweet daydream, going on a horse-ride along the sand, diving, or just chilling on the beach.

Tangled forests and great highlands are also a great characteristic of the north. A fascinating place to explore is the historic Livingstonia Escarpment near Chitimba. Named in memory of the explorer David Livingstone, it resembles an English village and, in the 19th century, used to be the mission post for the Church of Scotland. To get there, you’d have to go up this crazy road that’s got 22 absurdly sharp bends.

On your way there, you can do the Indiana Jones thing and stop at the Manchewe Falls, the highest in Malawi (50m drop). What’s more, there’s actually a cave behind these falls.  

Southern lake shores

The busiest and most popular parts of Lake Malawi are the southern shores. It’s got the most lodges and hotels in the country, and varies from fancy hotels with their own golf courses and airstrips, to simpler backpacker and camping spots. The biggest bonus is that they’ve all got uncrowded, excellent beaches that offer a range of lake activities.

The Cape Maclear village is the springboard for the 88km² Lake Malawi National Park. The park includes the Khumba Peninsula, a portion of Lake Malawi and 12 islands. A World Heritage Site and the world’s only freshwater national park, this part of the lake is the cormorant, kingfisher, heron and fish eagle’s favourite eatery, as it’s got a choice between hundreds of species of tropical fish, endemic to the lake.

Recent history of Malawi

In 1964, Malawi gained independence from Britain under the President for life Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda. Malawi alienated its neighbours for many years by staying on friendly terms with South Africa at a time when the 'Frontline States' (Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique) tried to isolate South Africa by political boycott and trade.

Muluzi became president in 1999. In 2002, he wanted to give himself life presidency. So, he attempted to change the constitution. Meanwhile, the country was going through a terrible drought. A water hyacinth problem was threatening Lake Malawi and its surrounding waters. Along with this, thousands of Zimbabwe refugees fled into Malawi, and the AIDS/HIV infection rate was rocketing, but not much was being done about this.

Controversy struck in 2004, when Bingu wa Mutharika was elected to become the new president. Since then, the government of Malawi experienced vicious political infighting, corruption and poor economic performance.

The political environment in Malawi just got tenser, so, in 2006, Mutharika unveiled a large grave in the honour of former president Hastings Banda, and announced that he will continue Banda's work.

Highlights of Malawi

1. Diving in one of the world’s best freshwater lakes
2. Go swimming with a horse, or swim to the island on Kande Beach
3. Playing a game of footie with local kids
4. Catching a lift on a fisherman’s canoe
5. Bargaining for curios in Lilongwe’s market
6. Exploring a Malawian village
7. Watching that sunrise over Lake Malawi

Quick facts of Malawi

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Money matters

Per Capita Income: US$200

Currency: Malawi Kwacha (MK)

Medical matters

1. Rabies
2. Diphtheria
3. Tetanus
4. Schistosomiasis (bilharzia)
5. HIV/AIDS
6. Malaria
7. Heat stroke
8. Hypothermia
9. Giardiasis
10. Hepatitis
11. Typhoid
12. Meningococcal meningitis
13. Cholera

Getting there

You can fly into Lilongwe International Airport.

You can also access Malawi by road via Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Safety in Malawi

N/A