Safaris in Malawi

For years, Malawi’s Liwonde National Park was the only place in the county for a ‘proper’ safari, and while you could see large herds of elephants and hippos, there was no Big Five to rival similar parks in neighbouring Zambia or Tanzania. In fact, most people weren’t drawn to Malawi by the wildlife at all, preferring to focus their time in and around the country’s magnificent lake, or head for the hiking trails of Mount Mulanje and the Zomba Plateau.

Over the past decade, however, things have changed dramatically, thanks to strenuous efforts on the part of NGOs including African Parks, aided by the country’s government. Both Liwonde National Park and the Majete Wildlife Reserve are now home to the Big Five, and other excellent options for wildlife watching include the rolling grasslands of Nyika National Park and the marshes and forest of the Kuti Wildlife Reserve. Even better, these parks and reserves are virtually undiscovered by tourists and only have a couple of lodges operating in each; a visit can feel like a real expedition.

Malawi’s parks and reserves may be low on visitor numbers, but they offer a decent range of safari accommodation that’s a little more low-key than in other parts of southern Africa – you won’t find grand pianos or chandeliers in high-end lodges here. The emphasis is on the quality of the game viewing, the authentic bush experience and the expert levels of guiding, and camps tend to be small, with those in remote parks offering space for just a handful of visitors.

There are also simple campsites for those on a budget, and small group tours will sometimes involve wild camping, where you’ll help with everything from putting up the tents to lighting the fire, to preparing the evening meal.