Resting on the banks of the Lilongwe River, the sprawling, bustling city of Lilongwe serves as the capital of Malawi. It is the largest city in Malawi and is the economic and transport hub of the country. It features thriving markets, lush green spaces, and rich cultural heritage. While the city has all of the twentieth-century urban developments, it retains the appearance of a traditional African settlement. The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, in the heart of Lilongwe, provides a sanctuary for local wildlife seeking refuge. Other sights worth seeing include the Kumbali Cultural Centre, offering the opportunity to view traditional Malawian dancing and drumming; as well as the nearby Chongoni Rock Art Area featuring over 127 sites displaying ancient rock art.
Liwonde National Park is situated at the southern tip of Lake Malombe in southern Malawi. Although Liwonde is a smaller park, it is arguably the most popular of all the game parks in the country. Malawi’s main river, the Shire, forms its western boundary and is the reserve’s lifeblood. Boasting plenty of animals including hippos, kudu, elephants, crocodiles and elephants, and even black rhino, the park has become one of Malawi's premier wildlife-viewing destinations. The birding opportunities here are excellent and a favourite sighting among birdwatchers is the Pel’s fishing owl. Visitors can look forward to a wide selection of activities including canoeing, sublime boating safaris, and excellently positioned camping spots. The area is also incredibly photogenic, with its lush Borassus palms, Impala lilies, and abundant wildflowers blooming after the rains.
Situated in southern Malawi, the city of Zomba formerly served as the colonial capital of the country. It is known for its Colonial architecture and its location on the southern slopes of the scenic Zomba Plateau. It serves as an excellent base for visitors to explore the surrounding area. The rugged wilderness featuring lush forests, glistening lakes, and cascading waterfalls lends itself to a variety of adventurous outdoor activities including, hiking, fishing, horse riding, birdwatching, mountain biking and rock climbing. Visitors can explore the city’s botanical gardens and golf course or venture further afield to the beautiful Zomba Nature Reserve.
Nankoma Island is part of the Marelli Archipelago in southern Lake Malawi, where the waters are particularly rich in brightly coloured tropical fish known as cichlids. Swimming and snorkeling with them is an amazing experience, as they flash by in iridescent shades. Incredible birdlife is also evident on the island, with species such as hornbills, kingfishers, paradise flycatchers and owls, as well as cormorants and fish eagles inhabiting the lake shore. Active travellers will enjoy the chance to kayaking around the island, take a boat trip to neighbouring islands or relax on a sundowner cruise.
