Afrika safaris

Malawi

Malawi, located in southern Africa, is special in more ways than one. The small, elongated country is known for its massive Lake Malawi and great natural diversity, mostly caused by the geological features formed by the Great Rift Valley. It offers fascinating geographical diversity with towering mountains, lush valleys and crystal clear lakes such as Lake Malawi. At its lowest point, the country is only 35 meters above sea level. Its highest point, Mount Mulanje, is more than 3,000 meters high. Between these extremes is a rich variety of flora and fauna, including in the nine national parks and game reserves where you will find everything from elephants to orchids.

In Malawi you will find very friendly, proud and hospitable residents, making the country widely known as ‘The warm heart of Africa’. A visit to Malawi brings an extra dimension to your journey through Africa.

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On safari in Malawi

Most trips in Malawi start in Blantyre or Lilongwe. These are cities with good connections and international airports. For on-site transportation, there are two options: being driven by guide or driver in a comfortable safari car, or by small plane from accommodation to accommodation (a so-called fly-in safari). From Blantyre, Mount Mulanje, Majete Wildlife Reserve and Liwonde can be easily visited; the areas are a relatively short distance from each other, and the drives between accommodations are versatile and give an insight into the daily lives of Malawians.

The parks in northern and central Malawi are more accessible from Lilongwe, and certainly where Nyika and Likoma Island are concerned. There are regular flights from Lilongwe to these more remote areas. Another great combination is a visit to South-Luangwa in Zambia; there is a good flight connection between the small Mvuu Airport near South Luangwa and Lilongwe International Airport.

Activities in Malawi are diverse: traditional safari experiences with game drives, mountain bike trails, walks on the plateaus and mountains of the Mulanje Massif, water sports and SCUBA diving in and around Lake Malawi … Malawi offers something for everyone.

Accommodations around Lake Malawi

Definitely worth mentioning. There are several fine accommodations around Lake Malawi, where one can relax, but also spend a more active stay. Swimming, diving and snorkeling are obvious, of course. For example, check out Chinteche Inn or Mumbo Island. On the east side of the lake, a little more secluded, you can also find some luxury accommodations. Nkwichi Lodge (on the Mozambican side) and Kaia Mawa on Likoma Island can quietly be called paradisiacal!

Nature reserves in Malawi

Check out some of the parks in Malawi:

Nyika National Park

In the far north of Malawi lies Nyika National Park, Malawi’s largest park with an area of over 3,000 km2. The high-altitude area is rugged, pristine and remote, making it the only Afro-montane nature reserve in south-central Africa. The area resembles the Scottish Highlands with spectacular panoramas, high grasslands, hills and evergreen forests. It is teeming with native animals. Nyika can be labeled a botanist’s paradise, especially in summer, with a multitude of flowers, including 11 locally occurring orchids, animal lamas, gladiolus, protea and kniphofia. The populations of roan, eland, zebra, reedbuck, and bushbuck are well worth seeing. Hunters such as hyena, jackal, and leopard can also be seen there. For birders Nyika is also fantastic , there are about 400 species of birds found in Nyika, several of which are found almost exclusively in that area.

Lake Malawi National Park

Lake Malawi occupies nearly one-third of narrow Malawi. Known for its enormous variety of fish species, the often crystal clear lake is home to a greater number of freshwater fish (more than 1,000) than any other lake on earth. To illustrate, this number is more than all the freshwater fish species of Europe and North America combined. Much of the stunning underwater diversity is protected within Lake Malawi National Park at Cape Maclear in the southern part of the lake. The park is the first in the world specifically dedicated to protecting freshwater fish. It has also been designated a World Heritage Site.

Liwonde National Park

Covering an area of 548 km2, Liwonde National Park is considered the most prominent nature reserve in Malawi. The western boundary of the park is formed by the Shire River, the largest river in the country and the only outlet of Lake Malawi. In and around the river are large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles and elephants. The extensive floodplains around the river provide dense riverine flora and many borassus palms and baobabs. Antelope such as impala, waterbuck, reedbuck and bushbuck are common on the banks.

The eastern part of the park is characterized by relatively dry Mopane vegetation interspersed with candelabra trees. Favored among buffalo, yellow baboon and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest. The sable antelope population is one of the most dense in Africa. In addition, a group of black rhinos reside in the park in a special project to protect this extremely vulnerable species. Birdwatchers are also well catered for in Liwonde.

Majete Wildlife Reserve

Majete Wildlife Reserve is one of the most telling and successful examples of wildlife restoration through proper protection and management. Before the efforts, the area had been reduced to a lifeless patch of forest where virtually no animal could be found. Partly because of the war in neighboring Mozambique, poaching was the order of the day, and species after species were being exterminated. From the moment African Parks took over the management of the area, it has been restored with enormous effort to its original state with all the animals that originally belonged there. The result is stunning: a magnificent park, with fantastic wildlife population and an important cornerstone in the economy and development of the local communities. Be sure to ask the scouts about the history. A visit to the “Confiscation Room” is also well worthwhile. Here all confiscated poaching materials are stored: proof of the effectiveness and necessity of all efforts to protect Majete..

Climate Malawi

Malawi has a pleasant subtropical climate, relatively dry with strong seasonal influences. Days when the sun is not seen at all are rare and rainfall is limited throughout the year. However, there are large regional differences in the climate, caused by the relief in the country and the presence of Lake Malawi. Roughly three seasons can be described:

  • From May through August, it is winter in Malawi. It is mostly cool and dry with average temperatures between 17 and 27 degrees Celsius. At night, temperatures can drop to 4 to 10 degrees Celsius. In isolated, mostly higher places, frosts can even occur in June and July.
  • The months of September and October are hot and dry with temperatures between 25 and 37 degrees Celsius. Humidity is limited; about 50%
  • From November to April it is mainly hot and wet. During this period 95% of the total annual precipitation falls. This varies throughout the country from 725 mm to 2,500 mm. Humidity in January and February is significant at 85- 90%.  Extreme conditions also occur, such as unexpected drought or flooding. In particular, lower-lying areas such as Lower Shire and some areas around Salima and Karonga are more vulnerable to flooding.

Map Malawi

Majete Wildlife Reserve

Majete Wildlife Reserve is one of the most telling and successful examples of wildlife restoration through proper protection and management. A magnificent park, with a fantastic wildlife population.

Lake Malawi National Park

The often crystal-clear lake is noted for its enormous variety of fish species, and contains a greater number of freshwater fish (more than 1,000) than any other lake on earth. To illustrate, this number is more than all the freshwater fish species in Europe and North America combined.

Nyika National Park

Spectacular panoramas, high grasslands, hills and evergreen forests. Nyika National Park is teeming with native animals. Nyika can be labeled a botanist's paradise especially in the summer, with a multitude of flowers.

Liwonde National Park

There are large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles and elephants in and around the Shire River. The extensive floodplains around the river provide dense riverine flora and many borassus palms and baobabs.

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    Reviews Namibia

    From day one to day fourteen everything was arranged perfectly, every detail and every mile according to the booklets. Fantastic nature and views, campsite’s and lodges very well organized and perfectly matched! The self-drive concept is recommended to everyone, exciting but also very relaxing, because you become one with everything you encounter. Oscar thank you so much for this wonderful trip and we will definitely use your services again soon!

    Paul Nanne, journey to Namibia

    Our trip through Namibia in January 2017.What a beautiful country! Nature is overwhelmingly beautiful with intense colors and breathtaking views. The trip was perfectly put together by Oscar Haartman and extensively documented. Adventurous and unforgettable! We drove about 3000 km with 2 cars incl. tent on the roof. The alternation of campsites and lodges was absolutely fine. The beautifully located campsites also made camping an experience! Kalahari desert, Sossusvlei, few days coast and Etosha game reserve, how much we enjoyed! Thank you Oscar for your great service and guidance, you gave us a great trip!

    Frans & Miriam

    In the summer of July and August we traveled to Namibia. We had a super trip. Oscar helped us very much and put together a beautiful trip. His advice on organizing the trip was very valuable. Among other things, we liked the flight trips on certain parts of the trip. We are already looking forward to next time! Thank you Oscar!

    Erik, Klarina & Iris