From off-roading on a safari to snorkeling in magnificent lakes, Malawi offers a ton of wonderful adventures to any adventurous tourist. This is a diverse country with a tremendous variety of species, stunning beaches, beautiful cities, heavenly wineries, and majestic mountains.
Take a break from the township, grab a set of wheels, and set off on a journey through the Liwonde National Park, where lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants, and buffalo graze freely. Make sure to visit Majete, which is renowned for its incredible biodiversity. While admiring the views from the summit of Mountain Peaks, take a walk on the wild side of the Mulanje mountains. It’s difficult to think of another vacation spot with as much variety. Here are some of Malawi’s top tourist destinations.
Destinations In Malawi That Will Take Your Breath Away
1. Lilongwe
Lilongwe is gorgeous, as one would expect given that it is Malawi’s capital. The city has been masterfully and deliberately planned to accommodate a number of government and public institutions, including the University of Malawi, the Bingu National Stadium, and Kamuzu International Airport.
In addition, the city is a commercial center and home to a number of unique recreation areas such as Dreamland, Gecdec Leisure Center, and Fun City. Therefore, if you ever plan to travel to Malawi, whether for business, academics, or pleasure, you might want to think about staying in Lilongwe.
2. Liwonde National Park
Liwonde is Malawi’s top location for seeing wildlife because it is surrounded by some of nature’s finest. The park, which lies in Malawi’s southern region close to the border with Mozambique, has been host to some notable wildlife translocations and reintroductions. The Liwonde National Park, which borders the Shire River and Lake Malombe, provides glimpses of the rocky trails and walks used by elephants, hippos, and endangered black rhinos, to name a few.
Furthermore, the birding in the park is simply outstanding especially if you are on a boat cruise, simple walk, or game drive. Those who have visited this park will agree that the ideal way to end the day is with a chill wine or tonic while watching the sunset over the Shire River.
3. Blantyre
Although Lilongwe is regarded as Malawi’s capital, Blantyre is unquestionably the nation’s financial and commercial hub. It produces the most jobs in the nation and has the most multiplier effect on the urban economy. With numerous manufacturing facilities, the city serves as Malawi’s industrial center.
Aside from business, you can choose to travel to Blantyre for intellectual reasons as well. The city is home to a number of educational institutions, such as the Blantyre Institute of Management, Central Christian University, and the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences. Meanwhile, The La Caverna Art Gallery, the famed St. Michael and All Angels Church, and the Chichiri Museum are just a few of the city’s prominent locations.
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4. Majete Wildlife Reserve
During your journey to Malawi, you really shouldn’t pass up the chance to see Majete. The Majete Wildlife Reserve, which is adjacent to Blantyre in the south of Malawi, is made up of mature miombo woodlands, granite-topped hills, and scenic river basins.
After years of poaching, the reserve has once again become a sustainable development and the sole recognized Big 5 Game Park in Malawi. So far, this is one of the biggest conservation success stories in Africa. There are now breeding populations of once-endangered animals, so you can anticipate incredible experiences.
Majete is also home to approximately 300 different bird species, including four different species of vultures and a large number of bateleur eagles. The boulder chatterer, Livingstone flycatcher, Boehm’s bee-eater, cuckoo hawk, Pel’s fishing owl, and rock pratincole are a few other noteworthy birds. Avid birders will definitely find plenty of diversity to keep them occupied here.
In the meantime, consider Mkulumadzi Lodge if you want to unwind in Majete Wildlife Reserve. The Mkulumadzi Lodge is unquestionably a tiny paradise. It provides breathtaking views of the surroundings and is located on the banks of the Shire River. There are 8 lovely chalets in Mkulumadzi where you may relax. This will give you an unforgettable stay and experience, with the calming sound of the river and wildlife in the background.
You may access this breathtaking setting with an infinity pool, restaurant, and a variety of opulent amenities over a suspension bridge.
5. Lake Malawi National Park
The Malawi national park, with its deep, clear waters and mountain backdrop, is situated at the southern end of the enormous Lake Malawi. It is widely known to be home to hundreds of fish species, almost all of which are endemic.
Since it was of global importance for biodiversity protection due notably to its fish diversity, Lake Malawi National Park was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
Lying within the Western Rift Valley, the lake is one of the deepest lakes in the world. The property is surrounded by untamed terrain and is located in a region of extraordinary natural beauty. It has numerous hundreds of cichlid fish, locally referred to as “mbuna,” which are almost all native to Lake Malawi. The mbuna fishes offer a noteworthy illustration of biological evolution. Because Lake Malawi is cut off from other bodies of water, its fish have undergone amazing adaptive radiation and diversification, making them a prime illustration of ecological processes.
6. Cape Maclear
Chembe Village is another name for Cape Maclear. Clear sea, sand beaches, welcoming people, and stunning hills make Cape Maclear a stunning location. With the opening of the Cape Maclear Hotel in 1940, tourism slowly developed into what it is today.
As the busiest resort on Lake Malawi, the town is described as a leading tourist destination and includes bars, restaurants, resorts, and guesthouses. Snorkeling, hiking, boat tours, kayaking, and diving are among the activities you can do in Cape Maclear.
7. Likoma Island
The larger of two islands in Lake Malawi in East Africa is Likoma Island, with the smaller being adjacent Chizumulu. The Likoma District is made up of the two Malawian cities of Likoma and Chizumulu. They are both exclaves of Malawi despite being only a few kilometers apart and completely encircled by Mozambican territorial seas.
The natural ecosystem of Likoma Island remains mostly unaltered despite its dense population. With steep cliffs, sandy bays, and wetlands, the coast is diverse. The island’s interior, which is primarily made up of grassland with many baobab and mango trees, is home to a variety of small reptiles, amphibians, birds, and insects, including scorpion spiders. Crocodiles can occasionally be found along the coast. As is customary in Lake Malawi, several cichlids can be found in the waters near Likoma.
Since Likoma is a popular tourist destination in Malawi, there are a few hotels, most of which follow ecotouristic ideals.
8. Zomba
Zomba is a city in southern Malawi, in the Shire Highlands. It is the former capital city of Malawi.
The Zomba Plateau is the city’s principal appeal. Rock climbing, horseback riding, birdwatching, fishing, and mountain biking are among the available activities Zomba presents.
The most lavish hotel in the region is the Ku Chawe Inn, which is located directly on the edge of the plateau. Visitors may camp on the trout farm or stay in log homes. Two backpacker hostels and a number of lodges, from budget to mid-range, are available for visitors within the town. Also, beautiful locally created souvenirs are available at a craft market in the area.
Additionally, Zomba serves as the hub for the nearby dairy and tobacco farms, which also grow softwoods, fish, and corn.
Meanwhile, If you want to travel to Malawi for research or other academic reasons, you might also Zomba, which is home to a number of educational institutions, including the University of Malawi and the Zomba Theological College.
9. Mount Mulanje
The highest mountain in Malawi is Mount Mulanje. With a height of 3,002 meters, Sapitwa Peak is the highest peak and is composed of granite and diorite, two strong metamorphic rocks. The enormous mass, which is the tallest in Central Africa, stretches 26 km. It is close to the South Malawi capital and is located to the east of Blantyre. Every year, many tourists and hikers visit the Mountain. This mountain also offers at least 20 peaks above 2,500 meters scattered across a wondrously gorgeous landscape of basins and plateaus, rivers, gorges, and waterfalls.
Locals refer to Mulanje as the “island in the sky” because of how abruptly it rises from the plains below, which are only 650 meters high on average. As you get closer to Mulanje and see it towering above all around it, there is a genuine sensation of amazement and awe, unlike some of the world’s peaks that are partly “hidden” in surrounding ranges.
10. King African Rifles Monument
The King African Rifles Monument is another intriguing location you might want to check out while in Malawi. Going down memory lane, ‘The King’s African Rifles’ was the name given to the unified British forces in East and Central Africa in 1902.
The King’s African Rifles soldiers who fought in the First and Second World Wars are honored by this majestic red brick monument in Zomba, the former capital of Malawi.
You can observe the numerous valiant acts of Malawians who served not just in Africa but all over the world as you ascend the stairs to the monument on a tiny hill. More so, The Park is the ideal location to unwind and enjoy yourself because it is surrounded by a tranquil and serene ambiance.
