Malawi
You often hear people talk about how friendly the folks are across the African continent, but in Malawi that warmth is true to the core. You travel through green hills and dense forests, past lively villages where everyone greets you with a smile, until you arrive at the vast Lake Malawi with its white beaches and clear blue water. Malawi is a unique destination in its most authentic and warm form.
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Why is Malawi the perfect country for you as a traveller?
Malawi sits in the heart of southern Africa and the nickname The Warm Heart of Africa says it all. Everywhere you go you are met with a smile and genuine curiosity. The atmosphere is relaxed, the energy gentle and open. This is a country that has not been overrun by mass tourism, a place that has kept its purity. Here you are still one of the few travellers, and that is precisely what makes it so special.
We know Malawi because we have travelled it ourselves, not once but twice, first to explore and later to pioneer an entirely new route. We tested and saw everything with our own eyes: the hikes, the activities, the lodges, our local partners, the long mountain drives and the quiet parts of the lake. Because of that, we know exactly where the real charm lies, away from the crowds and close to the people and partners who live here.
For you this means that with us you travel truly close to the heart of Malawi, the hospitality of the people, the warm atmosphere and the quiet, untouched places that make this country so special. You visit locations where hardly any other travellers go, follow routes we have built ourselves, and sleep in places where hospitality is still natural. Whether you want to hike in the north, take to the water in a small fishing boat on Lake Malawi or experience pure local culture, we know exactly where to go.
Discover Malawi with our pioneers
Travelling through the country is not about spectacle in the traditional sense, there are no huge safari parks or world famous highlights, and that is exactly what makes it so special. Here it is about everyday life, about people who look at you and smile, about conversations that linger. Curious what that looks like? Watch the video next to this text where Charlie’s Angels Milou and Emiel take you through Malawi with eight travellers.
Malawi
Use the map and the information to check your favourite places.
- The local pirate Andrew takes you on a boat trip to a secluded beach
- A cooking class and chef’s table with the enthusiastic Lara in Chintheche
- Hiking and wild camping with views over Nyika Plateau
- Horse riding and having coffee with Maggie in Viphya Forest
- Getting lost with Dennis in the markets of Lilongwe
- A tour with Josh across the lush coffee plantation in Livingstonia
- Overnight hiking on Mulanje Mountain gives you the feeling of stepping into a magical and slightly eerie fairytale
- Nkhotakota National Park: Walking safari along the river with large herds of elephants
- Majete Wildlife Reserve: A Big Five success story
- Liwonde National Park: Boat trips along the Shire River to spot hippos and crocodiles
Thanks to its accessibility it is a great choice for anyone with little experience on the African continent but who still wants to feel that warm and authentic Africa vibe.
For lovebirds Malawi is an unexpected gem: quiet beach lodges, remote viewpoints and places where you can fully disappear into the tranquillity together.
Families travel best here with children from around six years old, as younger kids face malaria risks, longer travel days and fewer facilities along the way, while older children fully dive into nature, the lake and the local villages.
For groups of friends, Malawi works perfectly as a mix of action and relaxation: hiking in the north, swimming and kayaking on Lake Malawi and ending with a few lazy beach days.
- The best time to visit Malawi is from May to October. This is the dry season, with warm days, cool nights and clear visibility. In May and June everything is still very green after the earlier rains. The roads are easy to navigate and the wildlife concentrates around lakes and rivers, giving you a better chance of spotting animals during safaris.
- From November to April it is the rainy season. Expect heavy but short rain showers, usually in the afternoon or evening. Nature turns into a lush green paradise, ideal for photographers and nature lovers. Some roads and parks can be harder to access due to rainfall. Temperatures remain warm (25 to 30°C).
Curious what that looks like? These are our favorite routes:
Nature, culture and deserted beaches
Here rolling green tea plantations, gentle hills and old colonial towns flow into one another, with the impressive Mount Mulanje massif as the absolute highlight.
The full Malawi experience
Malawi is a country full of life and contrasts. During this journey you discover both the warm green south and the untouched north. Pure welcoming and full of surprises.
Mountains, beaches and wildlife in the north
Malawi is already special on its own, but the North takes it even further. Here everything revolves around real encounters, pure nature and a deep sense of connection.
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I have spent longer periods of time in Malawi and I am a big fan of this beautiful country!!
Emiel
Travel Consultant Malawi
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Our team lives and works in Africa
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Your trip is completely tailor-made
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A fantastic experience to go pioneering in Malawi with Charlie’s Travels. Truly the warm heart of Africa, with very friendly and open people. Malawi is a country with an incredible variety of things to do. We explored the lesser known north, hiking in Nyika National Park with stunning views over colourful hills, taking an exciting boat trip across Lake Malawi and enjoying beach vibes and countless beautiful birds on Likoma Island. There are also lovely bays and hidden spots along Lake Malawi. The roads are improving but still offer the occasional challenge, which is actually a big plus for the more adventurous traveller. The setup and organisation by Charlie’s Travels was excellent, always flexible and tailor made to everyone’s wishes.
Our journey through Malawi was truly fantastic. Charlie’s Travels arranged everything perfectly for us. The encounters along the way with the open and friendly local people will stay with me forever. Although the country is not very touristy yet, the accommodations we visited were beautiful and absolutely worth it. If you want to truly discover Africa and experience an authentic adventure, Charlie’s Travels is highly recommended.
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