Malawi packs an unusual amount into a small country: a freshwater lake the size of a sea, a 3,000-metre massif, restocked wildlife parks and a highland plateau you can drive up in an afternoon. Here are the destinations worth planning around, and what it takes to get to each.
Lake Malawi
The lake is the country’s defining feature — 580 kilometres long, clear, warm and home to more fish species than any other lake on earth. Where you go on it matters more than whether you go.
Cape Maclear
Part of Lake Malawi National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Snorkelling, kayaking and the boat trip to Thumbi Island are the draws. From Blantyre it is around four and a half hours, with the final stretch on dirt road into Chembe village.
Mangochi & the southern lakeshore
The most developed resort strip in the country, three and a half hours from Blantyre. Good beaches, comfortable hotels and the easiest lakeshore access from Chileka Airport.
Nkhata Bay
The northern lakeshore, steeper and greener, with lodges built into forested hillsides above rocky coves. An hour down the escarpment from Mzuzu, and the most atmospheric part of the lake.
Liwonde National Park
Malawi’s premier wildlife destination, on the Shire River about two hours from Blantyre. Elephant, hippo, crocodile, black rhino and — since reintroduction — cheetah and lion. Boat safaris here are exceptional and, unusually, better than the game drives.
Close enough to Blantyre to work as a long day trip, though an overnight stay is far better.
Mount Mulanje
A granite massif rising to Sapitwa Peak at 3,002 metres, an hour and a quarter from Blantyre. Multi-day hikes between mountain huts are the main attraction, but the tea estates at the foot of the mountain make a rewarding day out on their own.
If you are hiking, arrange your return pickup at the same time as your drop-off. Finding transport at the trailhead after three days on the mountain is a poor end to a good walk.
Zomba Plateau
The easiest spectacular thing to do in southern Malawi. A tarmac road climbs from the old capital to a plateau of forest, waterfalls and viewpoints — Queen’s View, Chingwe’s Hole and the Mulunguzi Dam. Just over an hour from Blantyre and comfortably a half-day trip.
Majete Wildlife Reserve
A genuine conservation success story in the Lower Shire, about two hours from Blantyre. Once emptied by poaching, now a Big Five reserve. Quieter than Liwonde and a good complement to it.
Nyika National Park
Malawi’s largest park and unlike anywhere else in the country: rolling montane grassland at 2,000 metres, roan antelope, zebra and extraordinary wildflowers. It is remote — a long drive beyond Mzuzu — and best given several days.
Building a realistic itinerary
- One week, south only — Blantyre, Zomba Plateau, Liwonde, Cape Maclear
- Ten days — add Mount Mulanje and the Thyolo tea estates
- Two weeks, full country — south, central lakeshore, Mzuzu, Nkhata Bay and Nyika
- Long weekend — Blantyre with Zomba and Liwonde as day trips
Malawi is small enough to see properly and big enough to be worth the driving. The mistake most visitors make is trying to fit the whole country into a week.
Need transport for the journey in this guide?
Phonex Taxi Driver covers every route mentioned here — airport transfers, city rides, day trips and cross-country travel — with fixed fares confirmed before you travel.