Travel & Leisure

Hiking

Malawi's highland areas offer unrivalled opportunities for those wanting to explore the country on foot. Mount Mulanje and Zomba Plateau, in particular are favourites for hikers and mountain climbers alike. In some of the game parks, particularly the Nyika National Park, walking safaris are available under the protection of a game guard.

Mountain Climbing

Rising up to 3,000 metres, Mount Mulanje is one of Malawi's most spectacular sights, with its highest peak being Sapitwa at 3,002 mtrs. The mountain covers an area of more than 1,000 sq km. On its slopes grow the Mulanje cedars. Deep gorges, impressive waterfalls and trout streams cut their paths from its heights, while in the lush foothills are tea plantations. The Chambe, west face direct, is claimed to be one of the longest rock climbs in Africa, offering 1675mtrs of roped climbing. There are a couple of regular routes climbed, starting at Likhubula Forestry Station these are the Skyline Path to Chambe Basis and the Lichenya Path to Lichenya Plateau.

Organising a hike up Mulanje is straightforward and is best organised from the base at Likhubula Forestry Station where you can book mountain huts and arrange porters and guides, who offer their services for a very reasonable price. There is no entrance fee and huts are very cheap. Camping is not allowed on the mountain; you will need to have a good sleeping bag and warm clothing as the nights can get quite cold.

A Guide to the Mulanje Massif is widely available in Blantyre and the Map Sales office sells an excellent map of the Massif. Rock climbers and hikers planning to use unusual routes are advised to contact the Mountain Club of Malawi in Blantyre.

Bird watching

Although Malawi is a small country, it has prolific bird life with over 500 species of bird to be found within the country. Most species breed in Malawi but some migrate from Europe and Asia to spend the rainy season in Malawi, with some species preferring to spend the dry months in other areas of Africa. November to January are the best months for birding enthusiasts. The rocky hills of the Lakeshore and Dowa and Dedza are the best spaces to spot birds of prey, including the black eagle, lanner and peregrine falcon.
In the lakeshore forest, the green coucal, blue-mantled crested flycatcher and red-caped robin can be seen. Monkey Bay and Salima are the best areas to spot the African Fish Eagle, golden and brown throated weavers, collared and mottled spine tails and the palm swift.
The Elephant Marsh located in the Shire Valley, southern Malawi is a haven for bird watchers with large numbers and great varieties to be found.
Other species found in the country include; Stierling's woodpecker, olive headed weaver, lesser seadcracker, hornbills, starlings, guinea fowl, cuckoo, bush-shrike, kingfishers, hoopoes, hamerkop, herons, bee eaters and many more.

Angling

Malawi may be landlocked but, for the angler, the Lake, together with a surprising variety of river conditions, makes the country a most rewarding destinations.
In Lake Malawi itself have evolved more than 400 species of fish, of which 95% are found nowhere else. The great majority are brilliantly coloured tropical aquarium fish, many of them types of cichlid or mbuna. The Lake also contains many kinds of game fish too - Tiger Fish, ncheni, and Lake Salmon, mpasa, an even doughtier fighter confined to the centre and north, providing some of the most exciting sport.
Around the river mouths near Salima and off Mbenje Island a little further north, two species of catfish, vundu and the delicious kampango, both regularly exceed 10kg.

On the upper Shire River many of the Lake fish are found, including sungwa, a type of perch, which here makes up in cunning what it concedes in weight to its Lake cousins. Just below the Kapichira Falls in Majete are numbers of ncheni up to 7kg, and lower down vundu up to 15kg and barbel up to 28kg swim up from the Zambezi.

The lakeside hotels are excellent centres for angling and boats can be arranged in advance. The fish in Lake Malawi have always been a major source of food for many local people but overfishing has become a major problem - fish like Chambo, once abundant, are now scarce and if caught, very small. The government is trying to restrict locals trawling for fish and educating them to respect breeding and growth periods.

Freshwater Trout fishing is a popular sport in the trout dams and streams of Zomba Plateau, Nyika Plateau and Mulanje Massif. The angling season is from September to May and visitors should bring their own rod and tackle. Locally made flies are available. You may need a fishing permit, check with Angling Society of Malawi .

Watersports

The Lake provides ideal sailing conditions, with no tides or currents, and a fairly consistent south-easterly wind from February to October. This wind, known locally as the "Mwera", is strongest from August to September, and is replaced by a stronger, but less predictable northerly, the "Mpoto", between November and January. The calmest months are December to March but rough, windy weather can occur unexpectedly at any time. Sailing boats and dinghies are available for hire at selected Lodges and hotels.
The major event of the year, with quite an international following, is the challenging Lake Malawi Yacht Marathon, an eight-day, 560km race taking place in July.

Scuba Diving

With more than 500 different species of fish, warm, clear waters and safe conditions the lake is ideal for divers. Courses are available for beginners and equipment is available for hire for experienced divers. The most popular spots are Nkhata Bay on the northern lakeshore and Cape Maclear in the southern part of the lake. The best time of the year to dive is from August to December. Water temperatures vary from 22°C to 27°C and visibility ranges from 5 to 30 mtrs.

Golf

Golf is a popular pastime with the ex-patriots and locals and there is an excellent 18-hole golf course in Lilongwe with a club house and swimming pool. There are also 9-hole courses in Blantyre, Dedza, Limbe, Mzuzu, Zomba and at Kamuzu Academy. Caddies are available for hire and some places hire golf clubs. Some courses do have a dress code.
 

Horse riding

Various horse-riding safaris are on offer on the Nyika Plateau, an ideal way to explore the area as many parts are inaccessible to vehicles. There is also a Gymkhana club on Zomba plateau, and it is possible to arrange horse riding.