Tour Length
Rates in USD $ – Change Currency
Per person, excl. international flightsOperator Rating
Other Tour Features
Filter by Operator
Filter by Accommodation
Malawi Safari Tours & Holidays
Malawi is a great choice for a well-rounded safari holiday. Known as ‘the warm heart of Africa’, it’s an amazing country to visit for people wanting to experience African life, culture, scenery and wildlife. Malawi is not a prime wildlife destination where visitors fly in and out of the parks and hardly interact with the local communities or get a feel for everyday life. It’s quite the opposite. So, if your interest in Africa goes beyond the quintessential African safari, Malawi might well be the country for you.
-
14-Day Malawi off the Beaten Track Safari
$6,411 to $7,757 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & ResortYou Visit: Lilongwe (Start), South Viphya FR, Nyika NP, Lake Malawi, Nkhotakota WR, Lilongwe (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 174 Reviews
-
7-Day Luxury Tour in Malawi
$4,950 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Lilongwe (Start), Nkhotakota WR, Nankoma Island (Lake Malawi), Lilongwe Airport (End)
Baseline Travel
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
-
11-Day Best of Malawi Birding
$5,061 to $5,542 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Guest HouseYou Visit: Blantyre (Start), Thyolo District, Zomba Plateau, Liwonde NP, Cape Maclear (Lake Malawi), Dzalanyama FR, Lilongwe (End)
Land & Lake Safaris
4.8/5 – 30 Reviews
-
13-Day Malawi Luxury Safari for Couples
$9,140 to $12,300 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Blantyre (Start), Majete WR, Liwonde NP, Lake Malawi, Lilongwe (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 174 Reviews
-
11-Day Exploring Magnificent Warm Heart Malawi
$6,490 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Lilongwe (Start), Lake Malawi, Liwonde NP, Zomba Plateau, Majete WR, Blantyre (City), Nankoma Island (Lake Malawi), Lilongwe (End)
Baseline Travel
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
-
10-Day Women in Malawi
$4,030 to $4,454 pp (USD)
Scheduled Start DatesMalawi: Shared tour (max 12 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Camping & LodgeYou Visit: Blantyre (Start), Zomba Plateau, Liwonde NP, Mumbo Island (Lake Malawi), Mua Mission (Highlight), Dzalanyama FR, Lilongwe (End)
Land & Lake Safaris
4.8/5 – 30 Reviews
-
14-Day Malawi Family Safari Adventure
$7,184 to $9,249 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Blantyre (Start), Majete WR, Liwonde NP, Lilongwe (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 174 Reviews
-
5-Day From Wilderness to Waterfront Malawi Adventure
$2,805 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Resort
You Visit: Lilongwe (Start), Liwonde NP, Lake Malawi, Blantyre (City), Chileka Airport (End)
Baseline Travel
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
-
7-Day Northern Malawi
$2,045 to $2,228 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Lilongwe (Start), South Viphya FR, Livingstonia (Town), Chintheche (Town & Beach), Nkhotakota WR, Lilongwe (End)
Land & Lake Safaris
4.8/5 – 30 Reviews
-
13-Day Luxury Malawi Safari
$6,152 to $8,262 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Blantyre (Start), Majete WR, Liwonde NP, Cape Maclear (Lake Malawi), Lilongwe (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 174 Reviews
-
11-Day Ultimate Malawi Adventure
$6,215 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Lilongwe (Start), Nkhotakota WR, Senga Bay (Lake Malawi), Liwonde NP, Majete WR, Lilongwe Airport (End)
Baseline Travel
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
-
12-Day Ultimate Malawi Safari & Beach Escape
$6,145 to $8,122 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Blantyre (Start), Majete WR, Liwonde NP, Lake Malawi, Cape Maclear (Lake Malawi), Lilongwe (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 174 Reviews
-
8-Day Blantyre Mid Range Explore
$3,245 to $3,295 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Blantyre (Start), Majete WR, Zomba Plateau, Cape Maclear (Lake Malawi), Liwonde NP, Blantyre (End)
Baseline Travel
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
-
13-Day Malawi Mountains & Safari Adventure
$6,778 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tour
Mid-range Mountain Hut & LodgeYou Visit: Lilongwe (Start), Blantyre (City), Mt Mulanje, Zomba Plateau, Liwonde NP, Mumbo Island (Lake Malawi), Lilongwe (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 174 Reviews
-
5-Day Southern Malawi Highlands Discovery
$2,035 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Guest HouseYou Visit: Blantyre (Start), Mt Mulanje, Thyolo District, Zomba Plateau, Chileka Airport (End)
Baseline Travel
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
-
4-Day Cultural and Heritage Tour
$1,320 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tourBudgetLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Blantyre (Start), Mua Mission (Highlight), Lilongwe Airport (End)
Baseline Travel
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
-
4-Day City Break - Lilongwe and Blantyre
$1,815 pp (USD)
Malawi: Private tour
Mid-range HotelYou Visit: Lilongwe (Start), Blantyre (City), Chileka Airport (End)
Baseline Travel
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
-
1-Day Lilongwe City Tour
$275 pp (USD)
Malawi: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Lilongwe
Baseline Travel
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
-
1-Day Mulanje Mountain Adventure
$204 pp (USD)
Malawi: Day tourShared tour (max 9 people per group)
You Visit: Blantyre (Start), Mt Mulanje, Blantyre (End)
Baseline Travel
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
-
16-Day Zambia Malawi Livingstone Trail
$4,108 pp (USD)
Scheduled Start DatesMalawi & Zambia: Shared tour (max 12 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Camping & LodgeYou Visit: Lusaka (Start), Kafue River, Lower Zambezi NP, Petauke (Town), South Luangwa NP, Kuti WR, Mt Mulanje, Liwonde NP, Lake Malawi, Lilongwe (City), Lilongwe Airport (End)
Sunway Safaris
4.7/5 – 36 Reviews
8 Questions About Malawi Safaris
Answered by
Ariadne van Zandbergen
Ariadne is a renowned African wildlife photographer whose work is featured in many well-known guidebooks and magazines. She and her husband form a team who write and update many Bradt guides, including the guide to Malawi.› More about Ariadne
8 Questions About Malawi Safaris
When is the best time to visit Malawi?
“A Malawi safari is possible at any time of the year. July to October, which corresponds with the middle and end of the Dry season, is the best time for wildlife viewing. At this time, the bush thins out and animals gather around the remaining water sources. However, this isn’t the case in Nyika National Park, which is located at high altitude and tends to be very cold during these months. The warmer summer months from November to May tend to be more pleasant and productive for wildlife viewing on the Nyika Plateau. Malawi is a varied country with a lot to offer aside from safari activities, so most people will visit some of the parks as part of a more general tour. The cooler, drier months from May to August usually offer the best travel conditions throughout much of the country. October can be extremely hot.”
› More about the best time to visit Malawi 1What are the major attractions?
“Lake Malawi is the third-largest lake in Africa and covers about 25% of the country’s area. It forms part of a string of Rift Valley lakes and is by far the biggest attraction of the country. There are several resort areas along the lake offering sandy beaches as well as excellent diving and snorkeling. This friendly, laid-back country offers a great introduction to Africa, and tourism establishments are refreshingly integrated with local communities. Malawi is not a prime wildlife destination, but there are several good Malawi safari packages including options such as Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve. Nyika National Park is a scenic park at high altitude offering a very different experience from the bush safari destinations. There are also several forest reserves, and hikers are catered for on Mt Mulanje and the Zomba Plateau.”
2How much does a Malawi safari cost?
“Malawi vacations tend to be relatively affordable. In fact, the country had long been a popular backpacker destination before other tourism facilities developed, and today budget travelers remain well catered for. In recent years, more establishments have opened up for mid-range and upmarket package tourism. As anywhere in Africa, safaris tend to be some of the more expensive activities on a holiday. Liwonde National Park is Malawi’s most established safari destination and it offers accommodations for three different markets: camping, a standard mid-range camp and a luxury exclusive lodge. So no matter your budget, Malawi safari prices should be well within your reach.”
3What is the wildlife viewing like in Malawi?
“Malawi did not used to be regarded as great for wildlife viewing, but its parks have improved hugely in recent years and its status as a safari destination continues to grow. Malawi’s most alluring safari destination is Liwonde National Park. This very scenic park stands on a beautiful palm-lined stretch of the Shire River and boat-based safaris are particularly rewarding. Hippos and crocodiles are abundant, waterbirds are everywhere, and elephants can often be seen drinking or splashing in the shallows. Following a recent program of reintroductions by African Parks, Liwonde is now home to all the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and black rhino), along with cheetah, African wild dog and a diverse range of grazers. Also on the Shire River but farther south, the once neglected Majete Wildlife Reserve has been regenerated and restocked from almost nothing since it came under the management of African Parks in 2003. It is now a thoroughly rewarding safari destination. As with Liwonde, it is home to all the Big Five, while other wildlife includes cheetah, African wild dog, giraffe, zebra, hippo and a wide variety of antelope. Nyika National Park, Malawi’s largest national park, protects a vast rolling plateau set at altitudes above 2,000m/6,561ft. More reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands than the African bush, Nyika is best known for its magnificent scenery, which stretches out to a hilly horizon in every direction. But the grassy slopes of Nyika also support large herds of zebra, roan antelope, eland and reedbuck, and leopards are often seen on night drives.”
› More about the wildlife of Malawi 4How safe is Malawi for tourists?
“Malawi is a safe country to visit. It is politically very stable and it lacks big cities on the scale of Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg, which are usually the crime hot spots of any country. The rural nature of Malawi makes it almost a hassle-free destination. Of course, there is some petty crime in the cities (as is the case all over the world), so normal safety precautions should be taken when walking around unguided.”
5How do you select a reliable tour operator for a Malawi trip?
“Malawi is not a mainstream destination and it isn’t on many general tour operators’ portfolios. A good place to start looking is on SafariBookings.com. There are several Malawi tours on offer, as well as links to operators that do bespoke Malawi packages. Always check the reviews for customer satisfaction and avoid any operators with limited or negative feedback.”
6What type of accommodations can I expect?
“Although Malawi initially catered mostly to backpackers, there is now a full range of accommodations available when on a safari tour. Different levels and styles of lodging can be found in most parks, including the old-style luxury tented camp. On a different level of class is the exquisite lodge run by Robin Pope Safaris in Majete Wildlife Reserve. A wide variety of accommodations are available along the shores of Lake Malawi, ranging from small resorts and boutique hotels to backpacker hostels, campgrounds and guesthouses.”
7What can I expect from a safari in Malawi?
“Malawi is a friendly, off-the-beaten-track destination that will appeal to those with a general interest in Africa: its people, wildlife and scenic beauty. Malawi holidays are usually, but not exclusively, centered on the wildlife. Depending on your interests, you can focus your itinerary more toward the parks and reserves, or the lake and general African life. Most visitors will spend some time on Lake Malawi as well as in the parks. The diving and snorkeling are fantastic, and the calm freshwater lake makes the experience easier compared to sea-based activities.”
8Malawi Safari Reviews
Stephen is a travel writer and avid conservationist whose work appears in prestigious magazines such as Africa Geographic and Travel Africa.
Dynamite Comes in Small Packages
Known as the warm heart of Africa, Malawi is an enchanting and welcoming country that is undoubtedly home to the friendliest people in all of Africa. While it might lack the abundant wildlife resources and expansive protected areas of some...
Sue is an award-winning writer who specializes in African travel and conservation. She writes for national newspapers, magazines, Rough Guides and Lonely Planet.
More Than ‘The Warm Heart of Africa’
Malawi is well known as the ‘warm heart of Africa’ because of its welcoming, friendly people. While that moniker is certainly true, there’s much more to this tiny country than meets the eye, and its people are just one reason to...
The warm heart of Africa - a destination full of natural diversity
I try to visit Malawi once a year for pleasure, I'm a keen wildlife photographer, and for me every trip brings me so much enjoyment, the diversity of wildlife is astounding. My favourite time to go is when the rainy season starts (November...
Not many different animals but great to see elephants.
I went biking in Malawi for 3 months, also spending some days at 2 nationals parks to see animals. Because I went 3 months, I had a budget. The better accommodation in Malawi is run by foreigners and is more expensive. At the wild parks we...