Our Malawi vacation & tours
On Malawi’s market stalls, stacks of air-dried usipa (sardines) lie all crisp and golden. This is the land of the lake, one third of Malawi is made up of its eponymous body of water, which provides fish for the table. The lake is so large that there’s a dragon’s hoard of golden beaches, plus your pick of lodges with freshwater scuba diving. On dry land, the country is easily navigable by road, with some good safari destinations: Liwonde and Nyika, along the way. In Malawi, where you stay matters, which is why our Malawi vacations use lodges that are giving back to their local area, whether they are funding conservation projects, following responsible practices with their energy and food supplies, or training and employing local staff.
Our top Malawi vacations
Malawi small group safari
From
£4599
10 days
ex flights
Wildlife and waters of Africa’s best kept safari secret
Small group2026: 17 Oct
Malawi self drive vacation
From
£5175
10 days
ex flights
Discover Malawi at your own pace on this self-drive trip
Tailor made
Zambia and Malawi tailor made safaris
From
US $14850
15 days
ex flights
A fabulously varied itinerary including waterfalls, wildlife and lakes
Tailor made
Safari adventure vacation, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique
From
US $3545 to US $3830
22 days
ex flights
Camping safari along South Eastern Africa's trade route
Small group2026: 12 Sep, 24 Oct, 2027: 20 Mar, 1 May, 17 Jul, 31 Jul, 11 Sep, 23 Oct, 6 Nov, 20 Nov
Zambia and Malawi Livingstone Trail vacation
From
£3125
16 days
ex flights
Zambia’s wild frontiers and Malawi’s mountains & lakes
Tailor made
Malawi wildlife and nature tour
From
£3905
12 days
ex flights
Safari, Scuba and tea in Southern Malawi
Tailor made
Malawi & Zambia culture and nature tour
From
£6390
15 days
ex flights
Explore Malawi's unique areas and Zambia's National Park
Small group2026: 1 Nov, 2027: 15 Aug, 31 Oct
Majete Safari and Lake Malawi vacation
From
£4948
8 days
ex flights
A stunning alternative safari experience without the crowds
Tailor made
Malawi tailor made vacation
From
£4975
12 days
ex flights
A luxury guided trip introducing you to magnificent Malawi
Tailor made
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Malawi vacation highlights
Wildlife watching in Malawi
Any safari in Malawi is fantastic. You could choose to watch wildlife on foot or by bike – in Nyika National Park or Kuti Wildlife Reserve, for example, where you’ll notice smaller animals and their behaviours up close. Or, opt for a 4x4 drive in Majete Wildlife Reserve or Liwonde National Park, where bigger game such as elephants, rhino and recently reintroduced lions are on the menu. A boat safari along the Shire River adds an extra thrilling dimension as you find yourself just feet away from an elephant, a hippo, or a crocodile sidling into the water to see what you’re up to.
What makes Malawi so wonderful is the combination of safari and beach that’s available to travelers – make the most of game drives, boat safaris and nature walks for a few days before chilling out on the pristine shores of Lake Malawi and exploring the underwater world – maybe factoring in a day or two seeing some city sights if you have time.
Self drive vacations in Malawi
Malawi’s roads are so much better than they used to be and are constantly being improved: they’re tarmacked no less, a luxury when compared to some parts of Africa!
Malawi is safe, compact and has a decent road network, which makes it an ideal destination for a self drive vacation, allowing you to be in control of what you see, for how long, where and when. There is no signage in Malawi’s more rural areas, but a tailor made vacation company will kit you out with all of the information and maps you need. Alternatively, hire a local driver-guide – they’ll know the roads back to front and can fill you in on local life, customs and culture as you go.
Volunteering in Malawi
There are plenty of opportunities to make a difference as a volunteer in Malawi, for the most part working with animals or in conservation. You could find yourself helping out at a Lilongwe-based wildlife sanctuary, getting involved with the entire animal rehabilitation process, from orphan care and animal husbandry, right up to reintroductions. You will be trained in all the necessary research techniques. If you have specific skills, formal internships are available, ranging from working in veterinary centers to gaining experience in wildlife law.Volunteering placements range from two-week vacations that are open to single travelers and families alike, to longer internships that run for about a month. Most trips offer shared, dorm-style accommodation and will also involve some mundane day-to-day tasks and responsibilities, but you’ll come away with a much clearer idea about the bigger picture regarding conservation and local culture across the country.
Watersports on Lake Malawi
Malawi’s petite frame is dominated by Lake Malawi, providing endless opportunities to snorkel, dive, kayak or just relax on golden beaches.
While wildlife watching and hiking are both worthy pursuits, many travelers are drawn to Malawi because of its famous lake. A shimmering mass of clear water, its depths are full of colourful cichlid fish, providing excellent opportunities for diving, snorkelling and kayaking. And when you’re done there are plenty of sandy beaches to chill out on and friendly lakeside villages to explore.
Our Malawi vacations reviews
4.7
18Malawi vacations reviews
GRAHAM ANDREWS21 Dec 2025
A great fast paced adventure with great safarisread more
Mercedes Carballo15 Jun 2025
Excellent! Getting under the skin of the country. The amazing service from the staff at the parks and our guide/driver Mathias and being able to experience the friendliness of the Malawian people. We had an excellent trip and will definitely recommend Responsible Travel and the host company and Malawi as a destination.read more
Caroline Sweeting30 Apr 2025
Good experience with a variety of tasks related to animal husbandry, rehabilitation and conservation.Hand feeding the baby animals [is most memorable]. 4 stars.read more
