Malawi - Heart of Africa

This new arrangement in Malawi provides an excellent opportunity to experience the “warm heart of Africa” before mass tourism arrives. The peaceful central African country, renowned for the friendliness of its people, is host to a diverse kaleidoscope of stunning scenery, encompassing one of the continent’s highest mountains, third largest lake, vast plateaux with seemingly limitless views, forest and unspoilt game reserves.

Bordered by the Shire River, Liwonde National Park is home to countless hippos and crocodiles, whilst elephants reside alongside antelope, lions, leopards and, a more recent introduction, the black rhino. In contrast to the plentiful landscape of the country’s national parks, Zomba plateau rises to 1800 metres and is dotted with wild vegetation and criss-crossed by streams and tumbling waterfalls. Views from Zomba were described in colonial times as “the best in the British Empire”.

The most dramatic views in Malawi however are of UNESCO biosphere reserve Mount Mulanje, referred to locally as the “island in the sky”, whose sheer size dwarfs all that surrounds it, vegetation varying with altitude and hosting a variety of wildlife including antelope and black eagle. A colonial legacy may be seen in the architecture of towns and cities including Blantyre. Independence from the British Empire was granted in 1964 and modern day Malawi credits its people as its greatest asset – friendly, welcoming and vibrant, their hospitality never fails to engage the visitor.