Malawi's main feature is Lake Malawi - an inland sea 350 miles long that occupies a fifth of the country's total area. Fringed with sandy beaches and fishing villages, the lake is popular for watersports and has some of the best freshwater dive sites in the world. While Lake Malawi is the obvious focal point for tourism, we can recommend much more to see besides. There are scenic highlands such as the Nyika Plateau in the north and the Mt Mulanje region in the south - both of which offer excellent trekking. One of the best parks for game viewing is Liwonde, most of which comprises the wide floodplain of the Shire River that flows out of the lake. The Vwaza Marshes also provide good game-viewing and budding botanists should enjoy the 200-plus species of orchid that grow here. Finally, for more unusual and enjoyable Malawi holidays, try a riding safari up on the montane grasslands of Nyika among the resident wildlife.

Malawi holiday ideas

A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started

Why visit Malawi with Original Travel

Travelling with us means enjoying a trip that has been meticulously crafted by our team of experts, each knowing their specialised country like the back of their hand. Tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind, we can customise itineraries based on your taste, be that an architecture aficionado, a food fanatic or an environment enthusiast. Working hand-in-hand with local Concierges and guides, we’ll uncover spots perfect for you. From hidden gems to iconic landmarks, our curated experiences are supported by an array of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline and an app full of recommendations.

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A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Malawi

  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • 100% carbon absorption

Travel to Malawi by Region

Lake Malawi

East of Lilongwe, and stretching predominantly northwards from the capital, Lake Malawi is vast, and spills over the borders into Mozambique and Tanzania, where it is known as Lake Nyassa. Long the haunt of chilled-out backpackers, the lake is increasingly known for its boutique eco-properties and, consequently, the well-heeled type of traveller. Clear blue water, knock-out sunsets and pristine sand shores are reminiscent of Indian Ocean beaches, with the atmosphere refreshingly low-key and relaxed. Malawi's famous lake boasts more species of fish than any other body of freshwater in the world. More than 600 have been discovered so far, and many of these are the small, brilliantly coloured cichlids favoured by aquariums worldwide, which, combined with the lack of currents, makes for great snorkelling and diving. Other activities that we can arrange for adults and children alike include mountain biking, canoeing on the lake, guided walks and birdwatching.

Our Malawi holiday collections

Discover different ways to explore Malawi

Malawi Guide

Practical advice and inspiration to help you prepare for your holiday

Malawi Testimonials

1 reviews
4.5 / 5
"Original Travel were very efficient and professional at every stage of the trip: from the preparation to the time in Malawi and even on our return. Our consultant was very knowledgeable about Malawi and her advice always very relevant. We had no worries once we got there and everything met and even exceeded expectations. In short, it was perfect! You can trust Original Travel to organise your dream holiday to Malawi! "
Bradd - Manchester
Published on 21st August 2019

Our Malawi
specialists

Who better to entrust with your travel plans than our team of consultants, boasting eleven Conde Nast Top Travel Specialists among them? With regular research trips, they stay up to date on the best experiences and newest properties. And guess what – our expertise doesn’t end there. While you’re away, we’ll hook you up with the best guides around, teeming with contagious passion for their beloved country. For the finer details, our Concierges are clued up on your likes and dislikes and are just a WhatsApp away for personalised tips and tricks on where to go and what to see. In short, we’ve covered every possible travel-related base.

What is the best option for a Malawi holiday?

Lake Malawi is a must-visit part of Malawi, and frankly hard to miss considering the sheer size of it, but there is also some fantastic game viewing in Liwonde National Park and the South of the country. Discover more on where to go in Malawi below.

Each of Malawi's regions, and the country as a whole, can offer itineraries at upmarket or more budget conscious levels. Malawi holidays can be relaxed, or packed with a variety of activities. There are also plenty of specialist niche activities and tours which can be catered for, including: cycling; diving; eco-tourism; trekking; birdwatching; weddings & honeymoons and many more.

Nowadays it's also fairly straightforward to combine sections of Malawi with neighbouring Zambia, particularly as Lilongwe is so close to the South Luangwa National Park, making Malawi the perfect 'beach' add-on to a Zambia safari. Malawi and Tanzania or Mozambique can also be combined in a wider itinerary using air charters.



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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday

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All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges