Malawi Description

Rest in Malawi, in the heart of hot Africa, attracts with the beauty of picturesque landscapes, unique natural complexes and amazing vegetation, and especially with almost half a thousand collection of beautiful orchids.

Tours to Malawi are in demand by tourists from Moscow and other regions throughout the year. This is due to the mild climate and amazing places for outdoor activities. Lovers of hunting and fishing consider this country a kind of Mecca! After all, only here you can legally hunt rare animals and fish on Lake MALAWI and numerous rivers almost all year round. But April-November is considered the most comfortable period for relaxing in this country, and it is during these months that the tour operator in Malawi recommends booking individual tours to the mysterious African country.

Many national parks and reserves, unique sights of the cities of Salima Bay, Lilongwe and Monkey Bay, the rocky islands of Chizumulu and Likoma – it is difficult to get to know these fascinating places in one trip! The comfort of luxury hotels and hotel complexes with beaches, the varied cuisine of Arab restaurants, shopping malls and street markets with “ridiculous” prices for many Russians for exclusive jewelry and clothes, the cheapest and most effective thalassotherapy in the world – this is all Malawi, which can be safely called not only the heart of Africa, but also a kind of mysterious country with a mixture of African customs and the modern rhythm of life.

The total area is 118.5 thousand square meters. km.

The population is more than 10 million people.

The capital is Lilongwe.

The official languages ​​are English and Chichewa.

Religion – Christianity, Islam, traditional African beliefs.

The monetary unit is the Malawian kwacha.

A visa for Russian citizens is issued through the British Embassy.

Vaccinations are not required, malaria prophylaxis tablets and bottled water are recommended.

Time is one hour behind Moscow time. From the last Sunday of March to the last Sunday of September – for two hours.

This small state, stretching from north to south along Lake Nyassa and bordering Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia, is called the “warm heart of Africa.” The country is located at the crossroads of East and South Africa. She took the most interesting things from both regions in terms of climate, landscapes, and culture. A significant part of eastern Malawi runs along Lake Malawi (Nyassa).

The climate in the country varies from cool and invigorating in the mountains to moderately warm in the lake valley and hot in the area of ​​the Lower River. In April – May it is warm and dry here (+15-18°C in the mountains and +20-25°C in the plains), in September – November the temperature fluctuates from +22 to +25°C in the mountains and from +27 to + 30°C on the plain, from mid-November to April hot and rainy. The best time to visit Malawi is from April to November.

Malawi is one of the best natural regions in Africa, the national parks and reserves here are small in size, but very well maintained and carefully guarded.

The center of the country Lilongwe (Lilongwe) – the capital of the country, is divided into the Old Town and the City Center (the modern administrative part in the north of the city). Here is the main airport of the country.

How to get there. International air travel.

Recommended hotels: Kumbali Country Lodge, Capital Hotel, Sunbird Lilongwe Hotel.

National Park Kasungu (Kasungu) is spread over an area of ​​about 2 thousand square meters. km northwest of the capital. From September to May it is warm here, from June to August it is rather cool. The park is open all year round, but during the rainy season (December – March), some roads may be blocked.

How to get there. The 158 km long path from Lilongwe to the entrance to the park is accessible most of the year and takes two hours.

Recommended hotels: Sunbird Lifupa Lodge.

Nkhotakota Nature Reserve is located about 30 km west of the city of Nkhotakota on steep hills. The Bua River, which flows through the reserve, is a spawning place for salmon. Elephants, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, zebras, many species of antelope, lions, leopards and hyenas live in the park.

How to get there. The journey from Lilongwe takes 2.5 hours.

Salima Bay is an interesting old town on the western shore of Lake Malawi, a former center of Arab trade. Known not only for good beaches, but also for souvenir markets, furniture, wood carvings, masks.

How to get there. The transfer from Lilongwe will take an hour and a half.

Recommended hotels. Senga Bay Lodge, Livingstonia Beach Hotel, Safari Beach Lodge, Crystal Waters, La Casa Blanca, Kambiri Lakeshore Hotel, Carolina`s.

Rock art in Chongoni has been included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List since 2006. The area is surrounded by forested granite hills. It covers an area of ​​126.4 sq. km on an elevated plateau in the center of Malawi and stands out for its many rock carvings. The authors of some of these paintings are hunter-gatherers Batwa (Pygmies), who have inhabited the area since the Late Stone Age. Other drawings belong to the Chewa people. Their ceremonies and rituals are still held here to this day.

Northern part of Lake Malawi

Nkhata Bay has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

How to get there. Four to five hour transfer from Lilongwe or one hour from Mzuzu Airport.

Recommended hotels: Makuzi Beach Lodge, Kande Beach Resort, Nkhwazi Lodge, Chintheche Inn Ngala Lodge.

Likoma and Chizumulu Islands (Likoma, Chizumulu Islands) – two small rocky islands in the eastern part of the lake opposite Nkata Bay, located in the border waters of Mozambique, but belong to Malawi. There are excellent sandy beaches, great opportunities for diving, snorkelling, kayaking, fishing, mountain biking, bird watching, horseback riding. It is interesting to visit the Anglican mission of the 19th century.

How to get there. Air charter from Lilongwe 50 minutes and 15 minutes by motorboat from the airport or by ferry from the Mozambique side.

Recommended hotels: Kaya Mawa Island Lodge.

Nyika National Park is located in the very north of the country. Its area is more than 3 thousand square meters. km. About a third is occupied by a plateau located at an altitude of 2100-2600 m. The climate here is moderate, with cool nights and warm days, and it becomes cold in June – August. The park is famous for its amazing flowers and diversity of wildlife. It is open all year round, but during the rainy season (January-April), access roads are often only accessible by SUVs.

How to get there. Flight from Lilongwe (1.5 hours) or from Mzuzu (30 minutes).

Recommended hotels: Chelinda Lodge&Camp, Ilala Crest Lodge, Sunbird Mzuzu Hotel.

The Vwaza March Nature Reserve is located south of Nyika Park. Rocky hills, wooded and wetlands – habitat for elephants, buffaloes, hippos and antelopes, birds.

How to get there. Flight from Lilongwe (1.5 hours) or from Nyiki (20 minutes).

Recommended hotels: Kazuni Safari Camp, Luwawa Forest Lodge.

Air travel. There are no direct flights from Russia to Malawi. The most convenient flights are with South African Airways (SAA) via Johannesburg or British Airways via London. You can consider transit options through Kenya and Ethiopia, as the national carriers of these countries offer attractive rates.