News > Information Photos Line Up Links Home Forum info@lakeofstarsfestival.co.uk Useful Information General Malawi UNICEF Travel Advice > Itineraries Malawi Itineraries Malawi has a convenient geographical split which allows for a ‘north Malawi’ itinerary and a ‘south Malawi’ itinerary. Each offers a combination of landscape, wildlife and lake and can be covered in 7 days; though 10 days would not be excessive. Whole-country itineraries are also easily put together, either combining selected highlights of both north and south (possible in 10 days); or covering the majority of what both areas have to offer (14 days). Fortunately, distances are never that great, and with Malawi’s constantly changing scenery, the journeys are part of the attraction. It’s also now much easier to arrange air charter between the main places of interest - and at costs which are comparable to those for ground transfers. See also Malawi Hotels & Lodges map and Useful Distances chart, as well as specific lodge brochures. North Malawi The standard combination is Nyika National Park, Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve and the Lakeshore & Islands. In addition, the Viphya Plateau provides an extra highland destination: A. Nyika National Park: unique scenic beauty of the rolling plateau; plus wildlife safaris including on horseback. Other activities include mountain biking, trekking and fishing. Upmarket and mid-market accommodation. B. Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve: complementary lowland wildlife area. Game viewing by 4x4 and on foot. ‘Rustic’ upmarket and mid-market accommodation. C. Lakeshore & Islands: plenty of lake-based activities, or simply relaxing on a beautiful beach. A choice of accommodation is provided by Chintheche Inn or Makuzi Beach Lodge at Chintheche, or Kaya Mawa on Likoma Island. Each has its own individual character and so a combination of two lake lodges is attractive. D. Viphya Highlands: a scenic forested plateau. Good mid-market accommodation with an emphasis on using the forest and escarpment for adventure activities - also suitable for a relaxed forest escape. South Malawi For the south, it’s easiest to begin in Blantyre and end in Lilongwe (air transfers between Lilongwe & Blantyre are regular and inexpensive). This route begins with some of Malawi’s most impressive scenery at Thyolo/Mulanje/Zomba, followed by safaris at Liwonde National Park, and ends at the Lakeshore. A. Thyolo & Mulanje: the Satemwa Tea Estates at Thyolo are beautiful, with stunning views across to Mulanje and the Lower Shire Valley. There’s also the added attraction of staying on a working tea estate in charming colonial managers’ bungalows. For climbers/trekkers, Mount Mulanje is a must, but accommodation is basic and trips need to be arranged through a local ground handler. B. Zomba Plateau: provides fabulous views and forest activities including walking, trekking and mountain biking. Upmarket and mid-market accommodation. C. Liwonde National Park: this is Malawi’s best park for game, with safaris on offer by boat, 4x4 or on foot. Upmarket and mid-market accommodation beside the River Shire. D. Lakeshore: on the southern/Mangochi Lakeshore lie Club Makokola and Sunbird Nkopola Lodge. At Cape Maclear/Lake Malawi National Park, there’s a choice of Kayak Africa’s island camps or Danforth Yachting’s guest house & catamaran. Slightly further north at Senga Bay is the choice of the traditional colonial Le Méridien Livingstonia Beach Hotel or the Safari Beach Lodge, set in a forest reserve and with some unique wildlife viewing opportunities. Each of Malawi’s regions, and the country as a whole, can offer itineraries at upmarket and mid-market levels. They can be relaxed, or packed with a variety of activities. There are also plenty of specialist niche activities/tours which can be catered for, including: cycling; diving; eco-tourism; trekking; birdwatching; weddings & honeymoons; and many more. Clearly, a 14 day stay in Malawi can provide plenty of variety and interest. It’s also now quite straightforward to combine sections of Malawi with its neighbours. Malawi+Zambia is a long-standing combination, particularly utilising Lilongwe’s proximity to South Luangwa. Malawi+Tanzania and Malawi+Mozambique are now also possible, using the growing number of air charter options. Accomodation There is a range of budget accommodation along Lake Malawi (see ‘Lake Malawi’s Resorts’ by Ted Sneed for a really comprehensive account) and in the major towns. The lakeshore is dotted with small and affordable lodges from its southern most tip at Cape Mclear to its most northern part at Nkhata Bay. These are lodges that you will not have seen advertised but places you will normally only hear about through word of mouth (and most travellers will agree this is always the best way) Prices range from US$2 for camping to US$20 for those wishing a bit more luxury and en suite bathrooms. Nkhata Bay has now overtaken Cape Maclear as the Lake’s number one destination for budget travellers. Late night bars, parties and good beaches, along with an exceptionally large number of cheap lodges account for its popularity. Cheap accommodation is also available in Lilongwe, Zomba, Mzuzu and Blantyre-Limbe. In most of the larger villages it should be possible to find a bed for the night if really desperate by asking at the local bottle store but caution is advised. Lake resorts There is a good range of accommodation along the lakeshore. The greatest concentration of hotels is between Mangochi and Monkey Bay. Along this stretch are half a dozen or so hotels, most with adjacent camping sites. They vary from sophisticated properties, with golf course and airstrip, to more simple resorts. All have excellent uncrowded beaches and offer a range of activities on the Lake. These hotels are all low rise and quite separate from each other, giving the visitor a sense of privacy and isolation. Their locations, just off the M10 road, make them readily accessible from Lilongwe or Blantyre. One of the most popular is Nkopola Lodge. Just north of these resorts is Cape Maclear (see below) where there is a choice of simple accommodation. There are plans for a new hotel here. Some new up-market lodges on shore and on islands have made the Cape particularly attractive (see also Lake Activities, below). To the east of Salima town is Senga Bay where a range of hotels extends from the truly luxurious to small lodges and campsites. Two specially to note are the Safari Beach Lodge and Le Méridien Livingstonia Beach. The beautiful bay is only one and a half hours drive from Lilongwe. Further north, between Dwangwa and Nkhata Bay are a number of small lodges each having its own excellent beach. A concentration of these resorts is around Chintheche, with some of the best beaches on the lake. There are a number of small lodges on this stretch of lakeshore including the recently upgraded Chintheche Inn, which offers luxury accommodation combined with a safari-like experience of the area; and the charming Makuzi Beach Lodge, with it’s individually decorated stone chalets. At Nkhata Bay there is again a variety of accommodation on offer, most in the form of camping sites and small lodges. There is a rapidly developing concentration of watersport facilities here. The northern lakeshore has a few small and simple lodges offering accommodation for visitors, especially along the shore below the Livingstonia Mission. Karonga, a small historic town on the lakeshore can also offer simple accommodation.