Galleries / Malawi

Untamed Wilderness. Resurgent Wildlife.  Snorkeling. 

Lounging on a beach after snorkeling in warm azure waters is not what one expects from a landlocked country. But this is gentle Malawi, dominated by the Great Rift Valley and magnificent Lake Malawi within it. Part of the UNESCO-protected Lake Malawi National Park and renowned for its golden beaches and crystal clear fresh water, the lake is a vast ecological wonder home to more species of colorful tropical fish than any other lake worldwide. It is also a playground for those wishing to scuba dive, snorkel or kayak its tranquil waters. Making up almost three-quarters of Malawi’s eastern border, the lake’s shores are dotted with traditional villages that actively encourage the culturally inquisitive tourist to witness and partake in their daily affairs.

South of Lake Malawi lie the Shire Highlands, the country’s highest mountain peaks, and some of its finest national parks. Liwonde National Park has excellent game viewing, and the rapidly emerging Majete Wildlife Reserve, managed by African Parks, enjoys an unlikely story of resurgence and restoration. What Malawi’s national parks lack in scale, they make up for in authenticity, offering a true sense of being in the untamed and unspoilt wilderness of the bush. In this respect Malawi is a country best appreciated on foot: The hiking opportunities on the verdant rolling plateau of the Nyika National Park in the north, or the Zomba Plateau and Mulanje Massif in the south are second to none.