There are a number of companies in Malawi which will organise tours and/or safaris for the otherwise independent traveller. These include:
Wilderness Safaris Malawi
Land & Lake Safaris
Ulendo Safaris
Kiboko Safaris
Barefoot Safaris
Jambo Africa
Kayak Africa
Soche Tours & Travel
Budget Safari
There are five National Parks and four Wildlife Reserves, including one Freshwater National Park (at Cape Maclear). All types of safari are available, not only 4x4 driving but also walking, by boat, and horse riding. Most game viewing is in small groups.
Car hire companies are based in Lilongwe and Blantyre, with desks at the airports. Cars can be delivered to and collected from any other location. Standards of vehicles vary and hiring can be expensive. A reliable company is Sputnik Car Hire.
Most of the main roads are tarred but narrow. Potholes may be expected in any road and speeds should be kept to a sensible level. Driving is on the left of the road. Expect to find people and animals on any road. Driving at night is to be avoided. Breakdowns are usually indicted by placing bush or tree branches at the side of the road behind the vehicle. Petrol is widely available but tanks should be filled when the opportunity occurs as soon as the indicator falls below half. An International Driving Licence is required although national driving licences may be accepted.
Air Malawi has a domestic schedule which provides regular connections between the main towns - Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu. It also serves the southern Lakeshore at Club Makokola and Liwonde National Park at Mvuu Lodge. Nyassa Air Taxi is an air charter company which link most of the tourist destinations in the country as well as the main towns. There is a departure tax on domestic flights of MK200 (approx US$1.50).
There is a good network of very inexpensive public buses throughout the country.
Most visitors to Malawi arrive in Lilongwe, which is conveniently centrally located. From here, it’s possible to embark on a circuit to the North or a circuit to the South. Both north and south of Lilongwe itineraries will sample the variety of Landscape, Wildlife, Lake and Cultural attractions that the country offers; and can be covered in 7 days; though 10 days would not be excessive.
Whole-country itineraries are also easily put together, either combining selected highlights of both north and south (possible in 10 days); or covering the majority of what both areas have to offer (14 days). Fortunately, distances are never that great, and with Malawi’s constantly changing scenery, the journeys are part of the attraction. It’s also now much easier to arrange air charter between the main places of interest - and at costs which are comparable to those for ground transfers.
Heading North
Heading north from Lilongwe; Ntchisi and the Viphya Plateau offer immediate escapes to tranquil highland forests. Further on, into North Malawi, is the country’s third most important town, Mzuzu, which leads, via Rumphi, to the wonderland of the Nyika Plateau National Park and to the Vwaza Wildlife Reserve. Both are excellent game-viewing locations and the Nyika Plateau is Malawi at its most scenic. Heading east, the famous Livingstonia Mission and the historic town of Karonga bring you to Lake Malawi. Places to stay at its shore on the return to Lilongwe include the delightful Sangilo peninsula, the bustling Nkhata Bay and the beautiful beaches of Chintheche . Across the lake to the east there is the magical island of Likoma and the enchanting Mozambique shore. Once back into Central Malawi, the historic Nkhotakota and charming Senga Bay bring you within a short drive of Lilongwe.
Ntchisi Forest Reserve: beautiful unspoilt forested hills with accommodation now being transformed at Ntchisi Forest Lodge.
Viphya Highlands: a scenic forested plateau. Good mid-market accommodation at Luwawa Forest Lodge with an emphasis on activities - also suitable for a relaxed forest escape.
Nyika National Park: unique scenic beauty of the rolling plateau; plus wildlife safaris including on horseback. Other activities include mountain biking, trekking and fishing. Upmarket and mid-market accommodation at Chelinda Lodge & Camp.
Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve: complementary lowland wildlife area. Game viewing by 4x4 and on foot. ‘Rustic’ upmarket and mid-market accommodation at Lake Kazuni Camp. En route to Vwaza and Nyika is Matunkha Eco Tourism, a lodge which offers guests an experience of their numerous community projects
Lakeshore & Islands: plenty of lake-based activities, or simply relaxing on a beautiful beach. A choice of accommodation is provided at Chintheche by Chintheche Inn, Makuzi Beach lodge or The Beach House. Nkhata Bay has good mid-market accommodation: Njaya Lodge and Safari Cottage. Further north is Sangilo Sanctuary, a real gem. Across the lake on Likoma Island is luxurious Kaya Mawa and on the Mozambique shore is Nkwichi Lodge in the unspoilt Manda Wilderness. Returning south, the Nkhotakota Safari Lodge is on the beach but also gives access to the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. Back closer to Lilongwe, Senga Bay has the choice of the traditional colonial Sunbird Livingstonia Beach or the Safari Beach Lodge, set in a forest reserve and with some unique wildlife viewing opportunities.
Heading South
Heading south from Lilongwe, highlands are soon encountered at Dedza, which has the added attractions of its famous pottery and nearby Chongoni Rock Art, a World Heritage Site. Continuing into South Malawi, Blantyre is the country’s largest town, with historical monuments and a variety of attractions close by. South of Blantyre, the Lower Shire Valley is home to no less that three national parks and wildlife reserves, all now being returned to former glories. East of Blantrye, is the magnificent Mount Mulanje and the beautiful Thyolo tea estates it overlooks. Beginning the return north, the old capital town of Zomba and the famous views from Zomba Plateau are a short drive away. A little further on is Liwonde National Park, Malawi’s most popular and best established game park. Lake Malawi is reached initially at a strip known as the ‘southern lakeshore’ where you’ll be spoilt for choice of accommodation. From there it’s a short drive to Cape Maclear/Lake Malawi National Park and its range of attractions. Back in Central Malawi, Senga Bay is reached via the interesting Mua Mission, and then it’s a short return to Lilongwe.
Dedza Area: the famous Dedza Pottery, is the largest handcrafted pottery in southern Africa, is a major attraction but its setting, as the base of Dedza mountain is also a draw. Nearby, the Chongoni Rock Art area is now a World Heritage Site. Accommodation is provided at the new Dedza Pottery Lodge.
Around Blantyre: the Satemwa Tea Estates at Thyolo are beautiful, with stunning views across to Mulanje and the Lower Shire Valley. There’s also the added attraction of staying on a working tea estate in charming colonial managers’ bungalows. Newly established Game Haven is an impressive private game reserve. For climbers/trekkers, Mount Mulanje is a must, but accommodation is basic and trips need to be arranged through a local ground handle or InfoMulanje. South of Blantyre, the Lower Shire Valley is now becoming more accessible, with new accommodation south of Blantyre at Fisherman’s Rest, and Nyala Lodge in Lengwe National Park.
Zomba Plateau: fabulous views and forest activities including walking, trekking and mountain biking. The Sunbird Ku Chawe sits right on the edge of the Plateau, offering upmarket accommodation and breath-taking views.
Liwonde National Park: this is Malawi’s best park for game, with safaris on offer by boat, 4x4 or on foot. Mvuu Lodge & Camp offer upmarket and mid-market accommodation beside the River Shire.
Lakeshore: on the southern/Mangochi Lakeshore lie Club Makokola and Sunbird Nkopola Lodge. At Cape Maclear/Lake Malawi National Park, there’s a choice of Mumbo and Domwe Island camps, Danforth Yachting’s guest house & catamaran; the new French-influenced Cape Mac Lodge or the brand new upmarket Pumulani, Robin Pope Safaris. Slightly further north at Senga Bay is the choice of the traditional colonial Sunbird Livingstonia Beach or the Safari Beach Lodge, set in a forest reserve and with some unique wildlife viewing opportunities.
Each of Malawi’s regions, and the country as a whole, can offer itineraries at upmarket and mid-market levels. They can be relaxed, or packed with a variety of activities. There are also plenty of specialist niche activities/tours which can be catered for, including: cycling; diving; eco-tourism; trekking; birdwatching; weddings & honeymoons; and many more.
It’s also now quite straightforward to combine sections of Malawi with its neighbours. Malawi and Zambia is a long-standing combination, particularly utilising Lilongwe’s proximity to South Luangwa. Malawi and Tanzania and Malawi and Mozambique are now also possible, using the growing number of air charter options.