Our Team 
Our Tour Experts Liwonde National Park
Liwonde is stretched along the Shire River, south of Lake Malawi. The riverine landscape of the Shire dominates the western side of…
-
![Amy snow biking]()
Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
-
![Chris Packham]()
Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
Malawi Holidays
Take the time to lap up everything Malawi offers and you’re certain to leave enlightened. The rejuvenated Majete Wildlife Reserve and the hippo-filled Shire River in Liwonde National Park are both simply idyllic.
Colourful cichlids dance between rocks off Likoma Island, rhinos roam Majete’s wooded thickets and a Highland beauty shrouds Nyika’s plateau. Malawi is a country of contrasts.
Despite being small, it contains remarkable variety, thanks mainly to the Great Rift sculpting its landscape. And although the country is amongst the continent’s poorest, Malawians are friendly and welcoming, earning their home the nickname “The Warm Heart of Africa”.
Lake Malawi
Dominating this slender country, the enormous Lake Malawi fills the famous Rift Valley.
Majete
Under the management of African Parks, Majete is a rags-to-riches success story that acts as proof of what can be done in…
Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve
The Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve sits on the edge of the Rift Valley Escarpment. Hilly and covered in dense miombo woodland, this beautiful…
Discover extraordinary in Malawi
- Visit African Parks’ headquarters in Nkhotakota, Liwonde or Majete and learn about the work they are doing to ensure a future for wildlife in Malawi.
- Explore Malawi’s three main national parks, seeing how they have recovered under the management of African Parks
- Spend time on the shores of Lake Malawi and try swimming, snorkelling, sailing, kayaking and even diving
- Combine with neighbouring Zambia, thanks to direct flights between Lilongwe and South Luangwa National Park
- Stay at tea estates in the south of the country and go hiking across the ruggedly beautiful Zomba Plateau
- Visit the beautiful Nyika Plateau – reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands and perfect for hiking and mountain biking
Highlights of a safari in Malawi
- Spot big game in the rejuvenated Majete Wildlife Reserve
- Cruise the beautiful, hippo-filled Shire River in Liwonde National Park
- Explore the unspoilt miombo woodlands of Nkhotakota
Highlights of Lake Malawi
- Discover sleepy Likoma Island, clear waters and perfect for snorkelling
- Leave Wi-Fi and electricity behind for the idyllic simplicity of Mumbo Island
- Explore forest trails and try paddleboarding from Pumulani
Explore Malawi
- Liwonde National Park
- Lake Malawi
- Majete
- Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve
Experiences
Places to stay
Every captivating tailor-made itinerary needs a perfect base. Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any adventure.
Meet our experts
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
Jackie Devereux
I was born in Zimbabwe. With a dad who was in the police force, we moved from place to place. I have always been passionate about travel. My grandparents mentioned that our ancestors set off from the Horn of Africa – Ethiopia – looking for better cattle pastures. They ended up settling in the south-eastern hills of Zimbabwe, in the Great Zimbabwe area. Talk with our experts
- 01285 601 784
Bridget Cohen
Aged five and with my Curious George toy safely tucked under my arm, I set off with my family to travel around Europe in an orange VW minibus. Looking back on the adventures we had along the way, I now know that this was where my love for travel and exploring began. Talk with our experts
- 01285 601 784
What is the accommodation like?
The accommodation on offer ranges from basic to luxury, so there is something to suit every budget and need. As Malawi is still developing as a destination, more and more high-end lodges are emerging throughout the country. All of the main national parks now have at least one well-regarded safari lodge – and without the crowds that you may find elsewhere.
Is Lake Malawi safe to swim and snorkel in?
The pristine waters of Lake Malawi are widely regarded as having great diving, both in terms of the diversity of fish species and their sheer abundance. Many of the lodges on the lake have diving and water sports facilities and equipment available. We would suggest you only swim in the lake at designated areas where it is deemed to be safe by the local operators, as Bilharzia can be a risk outside of these zones – which are regularly tested.
What should I see during my trip?
A trip to Malawi is not complete without a visit to Lake Malawi, the lifeblood of the country which takes up a fifth of the land. Here boat trips, snorkelling and diving can all be enjoyed and for those who want to relax, you can do so on the plentiful white sand beaches.
However, Malawi is now garnering a growing reputation as a safari destination, with parks like Liwonde and Majete having benefited from extensive translocation and rehabilitation schemes. Whilst wildlife sightings are not as prolific as in other countries, the parks are far less visited and benefit from some of the most beautiful landscapes in Southern Africa.
Haven’t found what you’re looking for?
Let’s chat
Speak to our experts
Our team is waiting to help you tailor a trip that will leave you with stories for a lifetime. Call us on
01285 601 784Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise sets us apart. So too our curiosity. A curiosity of the world and of you, and your passions. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary?
Featured in the press
