ABOUT
MALAWI
Malawi is widely recognised as “The Warm Heart of Africa”. This has less to do with the warm climate and beautiful scenery, but more from the warmth of the hearts of its locals.
WHY VISIT MALAWI?
Malawi is a landlocked country in Southeast Africa boasting an unrivalled amalgamation of wildlife, culture, lake, and landscape. The country may be small, but it has a lot to offer. Tourism is on a massive upward trajectory and was named in Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Countries to Visit in 2022. The climate makes it a wonderful year-round travel destination.
Lake Malawi is the jewel in Malawi’s crown. It is the 9th biggest lake in the world and the 3rd biggest lake in Africa. Some refer to it as an inland sea with leisurely beaches, palm trees, and fantastic snorkelling. Furthermore, the lake is beautifully complimented by the tranquil islands making it an ideal holiday destination. However, the lake is not only a remarkable tourism feature but is vital for the survival of the Malawian population. It is a source of sustenance, drinking water, irrigation and a generator of much-needed hydroelectricity.
On the other spectrum, our game parks now rival some of the best in Africa due to the hard work of African Parks, giving Malawi another notch in its cap. It would be remiss of you not to enjoy the wildlife Malawi has to offer. You’ll have plentiful sightings of world-renowned African game, especially riverbanks teeming with elephants, hippos, crocodiles, antelope, and of course, the apex predators which naturally follow.
On top of this, many countries claim to be a birdwatcher’s paradise but, in our opinion, Malawi takes the cake here. The wide variety of habitats from wetlands to lakes, to forests and highlands support an abundance of at least 650 bird species that are tough to see elsewhere on the globe.
“The TINY country with the BIG heart!”
However, Malawi faces some serious challenges. Due to a variety of factors including a struggling economy, a lack of specialised jobs and an ever-increasing population, Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world and is heavily reliant on foreign aid. Over 50% of the population lives on approximately 1£ a day.
Therefore, Malawi depends enormously on the tourism industry, especially after the wrath of COVID-19. Tourism boosts the economy and offers many local Malawians employment. The tourism industry also provides community development and conservation of Malawi’s outstanding natural heritage.
So, if what you seek is an unseen side of Africa and the privilege of giving back to an awe-inspiring country facing tremendous economic hardship, with friendly locals that simply can’t wipe the hope and smiles off their faces, then this is the place for you.
THE LOWER SHIRE VALLEY.
Our conservation efforts are predominantly based in the south of Malawi, in an area known as the Lower Shire Valley, located southwest of Blantyre, which makes up an extension of the Rift Valley. The area is named after the largest river in Malawi, the Shire River, which flows out of Lake Malawi and into the Zambezi River in Mozambique. Interestingly, the Elephant Marsh we are so privileged to border is fed by these muddy waters. As the river descends further down into the valley it broadens into a massive floodplain that sugarcane plantations utilise for production. This area is the most productive agricultural part of Malawi, which used to be dominated by tobacco, but driving along you’ll notice what an impact the sugar industry is making.
To reach the Lower Shire Valley you’ll drive south from Blantyre down the Thyolo Escarpment into the valley. This drive offers you some of the most spectacular views of the whole valley. The game viewing and birdwatching is dominated by Majete Wildlife Reserve, Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve and the Elephant Marsh.
This is the hotspot where diverse landscapes meet sustainable agriculture, wildlife conservation and rich cultural heritage.