Things to see and do at lake Malawi
You can’t visit Malawi without spending some time at the lake – this vast, glittering mass of water dominates, taking up one fifth of the country’s landmass. At the southern end is Lake Malawi National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site because of its endemic fish species called cichlids, which swarm beneath the lake’s calm surface.
Described by explorer Dr David Livingstone as "the lake of stars" when he stumbled across it in 1859, its mirror-like tranquillity makes it perfect for diving, snorkelling or kayaking, and its waters draw in a variety of bird species, as well as hippos, warthogs and occasional elephants.
Nights can be spent among the hidden coves, pristine sandy bays and dark, wooded hills that line the lakeshore, or on pristine boulder-lined islands in the lake itself, with options ranging from bare-bones thatched huts to posh tented camps.
Described by explorer Dr David Livingstone as "the lake of stars" when he stumbled across it in 1859, its mirror-like tranquillity makes it perfect for diving, snorkelling or kayaking, and its waters draw in a variety of bird species, as well as hippos, warthogs and occasional elephants.
Nights can be spent among the hidden coves, pristine sandy bays and dark, wooded hills that line the lakeshore, or on pristine boulder-lined islands in the lake itself, with options ranging from bare-bones thatched huts to posh tented camps.
Our Malawi Holidays
Malawi self drive holiday
Discover Malawi at your own pace on this self-drive trip
From
£3150
10 days
ex flights
Malawi luxury holiday
A luxury guided trip introducing you to magnificent Malawi
From
£3250
13 days
ex flights
Zambia & Malawi small group safari
Unique adventure safari kayaking, game viewing & hiking
From
€2840 to €3280
16 days
ex flights
Malawi tailor made holidays
Magical Malawi combined with a walking safari in Zambia
From
£3375 to £5600
13 days
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Malawi & Zambia culture and nature tour
Explore Malawi's unique areas and Zambia's National Park
From
£2810 to £3095
15 days
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Student research placement in Malawi
Conduct your own independent research in beautiful Malawi
From
£1360 to £6970
4 weeks
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ACTIVITIES
Snorkelling and diving
Although Malawi is land-locked, it offers some pretty fantastic diving and snorkelling, with calm, warm, tideless waters with an abundant fish population. There are few plants under the waters because of its high alkalinity, so the water is fantastically clear, with up to 30 metres visibility at the calmest time of year (August to November). This means that even the most basic snorkelling gear gets you excellent results, with brilliantly coloured cichlids coming right up close to you, and clusters of massive underwater boulders to explore. You can snorkel pretty much all around the lake, and many lodges and hotels have equipment that you can borrow free of charge.
Lake Malawi is also one of the best freshwater diving locations in the world. Many lodges around the lake can arrange diving trips, as well as gear rental, and certified operators and instructors can be found all along its length, with many offering week-long PADI courses as well as shorter taster experiences.
Kayaking
Sea kayaking doesn't always have to take place along ocean coastlines. There’s excellent freshwater kayaking to be had on Lake Malawi, where paddle expeditions offer a passport to secluded beaches, deserted islands and exotic wildlife. Lake Malawi’s waters are calm, deep, and clear enough that you can spot clouds of colourful fish below without having to so much as put a toe in the water; and you’ll also be able to spot birds such as fish eagles soaring in the skies above.
Several of our operators include one or two days of kayaking in the protected waters of the National Park, where you’ll board stable one or two-person kayaks and stop at deserted coves before spending the night on an island in comfortable permanent tented camps.
Our top Malawi Holiday
Malawi self drive holiday
Discover Malawi at your own pace on this self-drive trip
From
£3150
10 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Malawi or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
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PRACTICALITIES
A visit to the lake is included on pretty much all Malawi itineraries, whether small group or tailor made. You might spend a night at a laid-back lakeside resort town, before continuing your adventure across the country, or come here at the end of a long safari for a few days chilling out at the beach. There will usually be a range of activities on offer so it can be as full-on or relaxed as you like; and lakeside accommodation ranges from campsites, to simple guesthouses to luxury lodges offering candlelit beach dinners and yacht excursions.
More about Malawi
The best time to visit Malawi is right after the December to March rainy season, when temperatures are warm, but not scorching, and the landscape is still lush and green.
Our Malawi travel guide will help you explore an African country that’s as well-known for its hospitable and friendly people as its wonderful wildlife parks including Nyika and Liwonde national parks.
Our Malawi map and highlights page details some of the most fascinating and rewarding destinations in the country, from national parks to lakeside spots to hiking routes.
Huge efforts have been made over the past decade or so to revitalise the country’s national parks and reserves, and a safari is now one of the essential things to do in Malawi.
Once run-down and depleted due to years of poaching and neglect, Malawi’s national parks and reserves are beginning to thrive, thanks to successful conservation programmes.
Liwonde National Park has some of the best river-based wildlife viewing in Africa, and recent conservation efforts have bolstered big game numbers.
Read insider tips from our holiday companies and fellow responsible travellers – on everything from the best way to get around Malawi to what to pack for a trip here.
The drive to make the tourism sector in Malawi more responsible is ever-increasing.
