Malawi > Malawi Introduction

Malawi

  • Dear Mary, I promised a few comments from what has been a wonderful holiday. The plan to base our holiday on the Zambia bank of the Zambezi, opposite where we had our honeymoon was perfect – you have now organised South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Zanzibar for us, and goodness knows how many for friends. We have loved each part of every trip. Our 2 super-highlights? Perhaps Sosian when the children were younger, and now Tusk and Mane Mobile Camping. It is the variety of textures and activities within these two settings combined with the outstanding and very personal organisation and delivery of every minute in a private setting that made them our favourite moments. Kyle and his fiancee Sarah put a huge amount of effort into making sure everything was as we hoped. Kayaking through crocodiles devouring a dead hippo (we lost count at 60 and they really were that close to our kayak and had to be pushed off), fishing (William caught the biggest Tigerfish in memory on that stretch of the river – first cast), then a surprise with Kyle showing him how to open his first bottle of “champagne” for an early birthday present, early morning drives watching 3 male lions playing together before resting, elephant galore eating from the trees, followed by a couple of hours peaceful walking in quite the most beautiful woodland. There were night drives to see new borne leopard and in the “quiet” 2 hours after lunch Kyle would take me fly fishing on my own, casting right into hippo pods where the tigers lurked – and all with almost no one else around. You have found a great new adventure here. I’d strongly recommend 4 nights as we did. Clive at Purple Patch Transfers and Tours was wonderfully colourful and hands on in Vic Falls and looked after us incredibly well. Pumulani really does have spectacular villas. We were again very lucky to be almost alone there so had wall to wall activities every day. So much for resting! Swimming with countless cichlids, tough walks up the hills, kayaking, pico sailing, dhow cruises, star gazing, paddle boarding, water skiing and tubing amongst the activities we did. A heart felt thank you again for your patience and advice. It has been a truly wonderful trip.

    Peter, Yannette, Oliver and William from Leicester travelled to Zimbabwe, Zambia & Malawi
A Pumulani sunset, Lake MalawiBoat cruise on Shire river, MalawiFantastic kayaking, Mumbo Island, Lake MalawiGiant eagle owl, Malawi DAKaya Mawa  diving boat, MalawiLake Malawi, MalawiServal DA, MalawiShire River cruise, Mvuu National Park, MalawiZomba market, MalawiZomba plateau, Malawi

Malawi

Introduction

Introduction to the friendly land of Malawi

Malawi is a land-locked country dominated by Lake Malawi, Africa’s third largest lake. The lake is a huge attraction, being both culturally interesting as well as a fantastic beach destination. The crystal clear waters are home to a vast number of cichlid fish, and the lake offers excellent swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking and sailing opportunities. Whilst there are a number of good spots and beach properties along the length of the western and southern lakeshore, Cape Maclear in the south is arguably the best known and most developed. It is here that some of the best kayaking and sailing takes place from some of the better lakeside lodges. Further north, Likoma Island offers a more remote experience.

Malawi is not especially known for its big game safaris, but Liwonde National Park on the Shire River is particularly good for bird-watching and has good concentrations of big game, especially elephants. Other regions such as Vwaza and the Nyika Plateau are well established and strongholds for particular species of interest, such as roan antelope, whilst lesser known regions such as Nkhotakota and Majete are beginning to develop into reasonable game-viewing destinations. In the south of the country, the Zomba Plateau and the highlands around Mount Mulanje are extremely scenic and pleasant regions to tour by road, with opportunities to explore on foot.

Malawi combines very well with a big game safari in Zambia, especially the South Luangwa National Park which is just 45 minutes flying from the capital, Lilongwe. The other key access routes are from South Africa and Kenya. Internal travel around Malawi is mostly by road or by light aircraft transfer.

For further information on Malawi safari holidays please call us on 01787 888590 or contact us to speak to one of our friendly safari specialists.