Located between Blantyre and Mount Mulanje in what is arguably the most beautiful region of Malawi, the town of Thyolo serves as the administrative capital of the Thyolo District. The area is best known for its historical tea and coffee estates, some of which date back as far as the early 1900s. With its tidy landscape of undulating hills and immaculately kept tea and coffee estates, the Thyolo area is a pleasure to explore whether by bike, vehicle, or on foot. Magnificent views of Mount Mulanje and the Shire River Valley in the distance are a highlight of the region, as are the excellent opportunities for birding, hiking, and mountain biking. Some of the estates also offer guided tours where one can explore the farm, learn how the plantations work, and enjoy tea or coffee tastings.
Liwonde National Park lies along the Shire River in southern Malawi. One of the country's premier safari destinations, it is celebrated for its abundant wildlife, scenic river landscapes and successful conservation initiatives. The park is home to large populations of elephants, hippos and crocodiles, while black rhinos, cheetahs and lions have been successfully reintroduced. Boat safaris offer close-up wildlife encounters, complemented by game drives through floodplains, mopane woodlands and open grasslands. Liwonde is also one of Malawi's leading birdwatching destinations, with more than 400 recorded species, and its palm-fringed riverbanks create striking scenery for photographers and nature lovers alike.
Stretching from the Great Rift Valley in the west towards spectacular Lake Malawi in the east, Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve is Malawi’s oldest and least-developed protected area. One of Malawi’s largest game reserves, Nkhotakota provides a habitat for an abundance of game, including lion, elephant, buffalo, antelope and much more. This rugged wilderness of forests, rivers and grasslands lends itself to a variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, bird watching and rock climbing. The reserve encompasses a number of camps, but an alternative option is to stay at one of the lodges on the shores of beautiful Lake Malawi and take a day trip into the reserve.
Although in Mozambican waters, Likoma Island is Malawian territory and is the larger of the two inhabited islands of Lake Malawi, measuring seventeen square kilometres across. The island boasts some lovely beaches, friendly locals, and predominantly flat terrain with a baobab dotted southern side. It is home to the headquarters of the University Mission to Central Africa, Livingstone’s mission, and hence it remained British territory when the Lake was divided politically after World War Two. The island is famous for the large, beautiful St. Peter's Cathedral, featuring numerous stained glass windows and intricate soapstone details. Visitors can relax on pristine beaches, snorkel and dive in the crystal-clear waters, and enjoy a variety of watersports.
