Attractions
National Parks
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Nyika National Park
Wildlife Reserves
Lakes
Culture
National Parks
Malawi has five national parks, each with unique features. Away from
the crowds and in unspoilt wilderness, you can explore by safari vehicle, walking, trekking or by boat for an unforgettable safari experience. This is the result of nearly two decades of hard work by the DNPW and African Parks.
In recent years, Malawi has gained popularity among wildlife lovers as an upcoming destination. With the excellent collaboration between
the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and African Parks, some innovative ideas on wildlife management and a conservation program to stop poaching, the wildlife numbers have increased immensely and Malawi has been transformed into an exciting safari destination where a wide variety of wildlife can
now be observed, including the Big Five.
Wildlife Reserves
Malawi has four wildlife reserves, each with unique features. Majete Wildlife Reserve has undergone an intense transformation since 2003 and has since become a wildlife wonderland: rhinos were introduced in 2003, 70 elephants in 2006, 4 lions in 2012, 13 giraffes in 2018, 5 cheetahs in 2019, and 14 African dogs and a variety of animals were reintroduced in 2021. A total of
nearly 5,000 animals have been reintroduced to date, making Majete Malawi's greatest wildlife treasure trove and the only 'Big Five' reserve in Malawi. Since the initial introduction of rhinos and elephants, not a single animal has been poached in reserve. Majete Wildlife Reserve
is a conservation success story in Malawi.
Lakes
Lake Malawi, with its golden sandy beaches and sparkling clear blue water, was described in David Livingstone's diary as the Lake of Stars.
Lake Malawi is the third largest lake in Africa and the ninth largest in the world, with a maximum depth of 700m in the northern part of the Lake, making it the third deepest lake in the World. Lake Malawi National Park, which is the world's first freshwater national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to abundant and colorful cichlids. The Lake is thought
to have nearly 1,000 species of cichlids, making it the single-largest lake in the world with the largest variety of fish species. This exceeds the number of freshwater fish species in Europe
and North America combined.
It is also one of the best fresh water lake in the world, offering a wide range of water sports. Swimming,kaking, sailing, windsurfing, water skiing and paddle boarding are just a few of the water sports on offer all year round, and they are a magnet for visitors. The crystal-clear waters of Lake Malawi are also ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling. .
Culture
There are many reasons why you should visit Malawi, but perhaps the country's greatest asset is its people. Malawians are arguably some of the friendliest people in the world, and every visitor will be welcomed with a hearty smile on arrival in Malawi.
Malawians are very friendly, calm, pleasant and hospitable. The character and generosity of
Malawians is the reason why Malawi is known as the 'Warm Heart of Africa'.
However, the charm of Malawi doesn’t solely rely on hospitality. Malawi's mix of cultures - drums, dance, masks and languages - continue to fascinate visitors. Locals welcome the interest in their daily life and few visitors will leave without experiencing some of
Malawi's traditional elements. Many Malawians are descendants of the Bantu people who migrated to Malawi across Africa for hundreds of years until the 15th century. Malawi is home to more than 12 different ethnic groups, each of which is represented by unique traditional dances, rituals and arts and crafts. The largest ethnic group is the Chewa, whose mother tongue, Chichewa, is predominantly spoken in Malawi.