Malawi · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Malawi
These are the places worth your time in Malawi, from the markets of Lilongwe and the mission town of Blantyre to the beaches of Cape Maclear, the rivers of Liwonde and the peaks of Mount Mulanje. Classics sit beside quiet corners few travellers ever see, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Lilongwe
Things to Do
- Lilongwe Wildlife Centre (Area 13)
A rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary for orphaned and injured animals, with woodland trails along the Lingadzi River. - Lilongwe Golf Club (Area 3)
A relaxed club with a golf course, tennis, a pool and a sociable bar.
Shopping and Markets
- Old Town Market (Old Town)
A sprawling, busy market for fabric, produce, second hand clothes and everyday Malawian life. - Lilongwe Craft Market (Old Town)
Woodcarvers and basket makers sell chief's chairs, carvings and beadwork near the old post office. - Gateway Mall (Area 3)
A modern shopping mall with supermarkets, banks, cafés and a cinema. - Tsoka Market (Old Town)
The produce and fish heart of Old Town, full of dried usipa, beans and fresh vegetables.
Arts and Culture
- Kamuzu Mausoleum (Capital Hill)
The grand marble tomb of Hastings Kamuzu Banda, Malawi's first president, set in landscaped grounds. - Parliament Building (Capital Hill)
Malawi's striking modern parliament, built on the former New State House site, visible from Presidential Way.
Restaurants
- Mamma Mia (Old Town Mall)
A long running Italian restaurant with wood fired pizza and pasta in the Old Town Mall courtyard. - Buchanan's Grill (Four Seasons Centre)
Steaks and lake fish in a garden setting at the Four Seasons Centre, a favourite for special dinners.
Cafés
- Ama Khofi (Four Seasons Centre)
A garden café with good Malawian coffee, breakfasts and cakes under the trees. - Mzuzu Coffee Den (Old Town)
A café serving coffee from the Mzuzu cooperative of northern smallholder farmers.
Stays
- Latitude 13 (Area 43)
A design led boutique hotel with a pool and a calm, contemporary feel. - Kumbali Country Lodge (Area 44)
A lodge on a working farm and forest reserve just outside the city, with walks and a cultural village. - Mabuya Camp (Area 9)
A friendly backpacker camp with dorms, chalets, a bar and a pool, popular with overland travellers. - Sunbird Capital Hotel (City Centre)
A large, central hotel close to Capital Hill with a pool and gardens.
Nature and Outdoors
- Dzalanyama Forest Reserve (Southwest of Lilongwe)
Miombo woodland on the Mozambique border with birding, walking and mountain bike trails.
Places to Visit in Dedza
Shopping and Markets
- Dedza Pottery (Dedza)
A famous pottery workshop and café, known for its hand painted ceramics and cheesecake.
Arts and Culture
- Chongoni Rock Art Area (Dedza)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site of rock paintings by BaTwa hunter gatherers and Chewa farmers.
Places to Visit in Mua
Arts and Culture
- KuNgoni Centre of Culture and Art (Mua Mission)
A museum and workshop on Chewa, Ngoni and Yao culture, including Gule Wamkulu masks.
Places to Visit in Senga Bay
Stays
- Sunbird Livingstonia Beach (Senga Bay)
A beach hotel on a long lakeshore stretch, the closest classic lake break to Lilongwe.
Places to Visit in Blantyre
Arts and Culture
- Mandala House (Mandala)
The oldest building in Malawi, a colonial trading house with a gallery and the Society of Malawi library. - St Michael and All Angels Church (Blantyre Mission)
A redbrick church built by Scottish missionaries and local builders in the 1880s and 1890s. - Museum of Malawi (Chichiri)
The national museum, with displays on history, traditional crafts, transport and Gule Wamkulu.
Cafés
- Café Mandala (Mandala)
A café on the veranda of Mandala House, with homemade cakes and art on the walls.
Shopping and Markets
- Blantyre Market (City Centre)
The city's main market for produce, fish, fabrics and the buzz of daily trade. - Limbe Market (Limbe)
A huge, crowded market in Blantyre's twin town, where locals shop for everything. - Chichiri Shopping Mall (Chichiri)
A shopping centre with supermarkets, banks and cafés, handy for supplies.
Nature and Outdoors
- Michiru Mountain Conservation Area (Michiru)
Forest trails, birding and a hilltop view on the edge of the city.
Stays
- Protea Hotel Ryalls (City Centre)
Blantyre's oldest hotel, rebuilt and smart, with a good restaurant and bar. - Sunbird Mount Soche (City Centre)
A central, established hotel with a pool, close to the shops and offices. - Kabula Lodge (Kabula Hill)
A good value guesthouse on a hill with views and a friendly atmosphere.
Restaurants
- Jungle Pepper (Blantyre)
A local pizza chain that is a dependable family favourite. - 21 Grill on Hanover (Protea Hotel Ryalls)
A polished grill restaurant for steaks and wine on a special night out.
Bars and Nightlife
- Blantyre Sports Club (Victoria Avenue)
A historic club with a pool, bar and sports fields, open to visitors on day membership.
Places to Visit in Thyolo
Stays
- Huntingdon House (Satemwa Tea Estate)
A colonial era planter's home turned guesthouse amid the tea gardens.
Things to Do
- Satemwa Tea Estate (Thyolo)
A family run tea and coffee estate offering tastings and walks through the plantations.
Places to Visit in Zomba
Nature and Outdoors
- Zomba Plateau (Zomba)
A cool, forested plateau with waterfalls, trout streams, viewpoints and walking trails. - Williams Falls (Zomba Plateau)
A waterfall on the plateau reached by a forest walk.
Shopping and Markets
- Zomba Market (Zomba)
One of Malawi's best markets, famous for fresh produce and plateau strawberries in season.
Stays
- Sunbird Ku Chawe Inn (Zomba Plateau)
A hotel on the plateau's edge with sweeping views over the valley.
Arts and Culture
- Zomba Old Town (Zomba)
The colonial former capital, with old parliament buildings and leafy streets.
Places to Visit in Cape Maclear
Nature and Outdoors
- Lake Malawi National Park (Cape Maclear)
The world's first freshwater national park and a UNESCO site, home to hundreds of cichlid species. - Otter Point (Lake Malawi National Park)
Rocky shoreline perfect for snorkelling among bright cichlids, with otters sometimes seen.
Things to Do
- Thumbi West Island (Lake Malawi National Park)
An island in the park where boat trips stop for snorkelling and fish eagle feeding. - Kayak Africa (Chembe)
The outfit behind the island camps, running kayak trips and PADI dive courses. - Chembe Village walk (Chembe)
A walk through the fishing village to see boat building, usipa drying and daily life. - Sunset dhow cruise (Chembe)
An evening sail or boat trip out to the islands as the sun drops over the lake.
Stays
- Mumbo Island Camp (Mumbo Island)
An eco island camp with tents on stilts, kayaks and no crowds. - Domwe Island Camp (Domwe Island)
A simple self catering island camp reached by kayak or boat. - Mgoza Lodge (Chembe)
A relaxed beachfront lodge with a good restaurant and sunset views. - Fat Monkeys (Chembe)
A big, sociable beach lodge and campsite at the end of the bay. - Thumbi View Lodge (Chembe)
Friendly chalets and camping close to the beach in Chembe. - Pumulani (Lake Malawi National Park)
An exclusive lodge on the western side of the peninsula with villas facing the lake.
Arts and Culture
- Missionary Graves (Chembe)
The graves of the first Livingstonia missionaries who settled here in 1875.
Places to Visit in Mangochi
Arts and Culture
- Lake Malawi Museum (Mangochi)
A small museum on the lake's history, fishing and the steamers that once crossed it.
Stays
- Makokola Retreat (Mangochi)
A lakeside resort with a long beach and water sports.
Nature and Outdoors
- Monkey Bay (Monkey Bay)
A working lake port and the gateway to Cape Maclear.
Places to Visit in Liwonde
Nature and Outdoors
- Liwonde National Park (Liwonde)
A river park managed with African Parks, where lions, cheetahs, rhinos, elephants and hippos live along the Shire. - Mvuu waterhole (Liwonde National Park)
A waterhole near Mvuu where elephants and antelope come to drink. - Majete Wildlife Reserve (Chikwawa)
A restored reserve in the Lower Shire with the Big Five and few visitors.
Things to Do
- Shire River boat safari (Liwonde National Park)
Boat trips past pods of hippos, crocodiles, elephants and fish eagles. - Game drives in Liwonde (Liwonde National Park)
Open vehicle drives through mopane and grassland in search of big game.
Stays
- Mvuu Lodge (Liwonde National Park)
A riverfront lodge in the heart of the park with game drives and boat trips. - Mvuu Camp (Liwonde National Park)
Chalets and tents on the Shire with a waterhole view and family friendly rooms. - Kuthengo Camp (Liwonde National Park)
An intimate tented camp on the river run by Robin Pope Safaris. - Liwonde Safari Camp (Liwonde town)
A budget camp just outside the park, organising boat trips and drives. - Chinguni Hills Lodge (Liwonde National Park)
A lodge in the quieter southern section of the park, set among the hills. - Mkulumadzi Lodge (Majete Wildlife Reserve)
A luxury lodge reached by a footbridge across the Shire inside Majete. - Thawale Camp (Majete Wildlife Reserve)
Comfortable tents by a waterhole, a good value way into Majete.
Places to Visit in Mulanje
Nature and Outdoors
- Mount Mulanje (Mulanje)
A granite massif rising above the plains with peaks, forests and mountain huts. - Sapitwa Peak (Mount Mulanje)
The highest point in Malawi and central southern Africa, climbed with a guide. - Dziwe la Nkhalamba (Likhubula)
A natural pool below a waterfall, an easy walk from the trailhead.
Stays
- Likhubula Forest Lodge (Likhubula)
An old forestry house at the main trailhead, a classic base for the mountain. - Chambe Hut (Chambe Plateau)
A simple mountain hut beneath the sheer face of Chambe peak. - Thuchila Hut (Mount Mulanje)
A mountain hut on the multi day trail across the massif. - Kara O'Mula Lodge (Mulanje)
A lodge at the foot of the mountain with views, a pool and easy walks.
Events
- Mulanje Porters Race (Mount Mulanje)
An annual mountain race inspired by the porters who carry loads up the massif.
Things to Do
- Lujeri Tea Estate (Mulanje)
A historic tea estate on the mountain's southern slopes with walks through the plantations. - Guided Mulanje hike with porters (Likhubula)
Licensed guides and porters can be booked at the forestry office for routes across the massif.
Arts and Culture
- Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust (Mulanje)
The trust that protects the massif and the Mulanje cedar, a good source of trail information.
Places to Visit in Nkhata Bay
Stays
- Mayoka Village (Nkhata Bay)
Chalets stepping down a hillside to the water, with a famous jetty for swimming. - Njaya Lodge (Chikale Beach)
Simple chalets on the hill above Chikale Beach. - Butterfly Space (Nkhata Bay)
A community minded backpacker lodge with clifftop chalets and local projects. - Kande Beach Resort (Kande)
A long sandy beach and overland favourite with a lively bar. - Makuzi Beach Lodge (Chintheche)
A peaceful lodge on its own private beach south of Nkhata Bay. - Chintheche Inn (Chintheche)
A quiet beach hotel with a lawn sloping to the lake.
Things to Do
- Aqua Africa (Nkhata Bay)
A dive centre offering PADI courses and freshwater dives among cichlids. - Kayaking the bay (Nkhata Bay)
Paddle along the rocky coves to snorkel and spot fish eagles.
Nature and Outdoors
- Chikale Beach (Nkhata Bay)
A sandy cove south of town for swimming and kayaking. - Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve (Rumphi)
A wild reserve with hippos, elephants and few visitors.
Shopping and Markets
- Nkhata Bay market (Nkhata Bay)
The town's market by the harbour, busiest when the ferry arrives.
Cafés
- Mzuzu Coffee Den (Mzuzu)
The original café of the Mzuzu coffee cooperative in the northern capital.
Places to Visit in Likoma Island
Stays
- Kaya Mawa (Likoma Island)
A celebrated lodge with rooms built into the rocks above the water.
Arts and Culture
- St Peter's Cathedral (Likoma Island)
A huge Anglican cathedral built by missionaries, surprisingly grand for a small island.
Places to Visit in Livingstonia
Arts and Culture
- Stone House Museum (Livingstonia)
The old mission house, now a museum on the Scottish mission and David Livingstone.
Stays
- Mushroom Farm (Livingstonia)
An eco lodge on the escarpment edge with outstanding views over the lake. - Lukwe Permaculture Camp (Livingstonia)
Cabins on a permaculture farm with views down the gorge.
Nature and Outdoors
- Manchewe Falls (Livingstonia)
A tall waterfall below the mission with caves once used as a hiding place.
Places to Visit in Nyika
Nature and Outdoors
- Nyika National Park (Nyika Plateau)
High rolling grasslands with zebra, roan antelope, orchids and leopards.
Stays
- Chelinda Lodge (Nyika National Park)
Log cabins high on the plateau with fireplaces and wide views.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Bunda Mountain (Bunda, Lilongwe)
A short scramble up a rocky hill southwest of the city for wide views over the plain. - Chameleon Bar (Area 47, Lilongwe)
An arts and music bar known for live sets, open mic nights and poetry evenings. - Kumbali Cultural Village (Area 44, Lilongwe)
Traditional dance, drumming and village food shared by the community near Kumbali. - Ufulu Gardens (Area 10, Lilongwe)
An outdoor spot for nsima, grilled chicken and local beers with a lively crowd. - Café Mia (Area 47, Lilongwe)
A garden café and deli known for fresh food and a gift shop. - Lizard Island (Senga Bay, Senga Bay)
A rocky island offshore from Senga Bay, home to monitor lizards and nesting birds. - Mount Soche (Soche, Blantyre)
A forested hill above town with a walking trail and views over Blantyre. - Doogles (Mulomba Place, Blantyre)
A long established backpacker lodge and bar near the main bus station. - Carlsberg Malawi Brewery (Makata, Blantyre)
Malawi's main brewery, where tours have been offered on request. - Gecko Lounge (Chembe, Cape Maclear)
A beachfront lodge and bar known for its food and a laid back evening crowd. - Nkhudzi Hills (Cape Maclear, Cape Maclear)
A hike into the park's hills behind the bay for views over the islands. - Chembe fish braai (Chembe, Cape Maclear)
Grilled chambo and fresh lake fish cooked by the beach in the village. - Danforth Yachting (Cape Maclear, Cape Maclear)
A small lodge that runs sailing trips on its yacht around the peninsula. - Lake of Stars Festival (Mangochi lakeshore, Mangochi)
Malawi's best known music and arts festival, held on the lakeshore in some years. - Rhino tracking (Liwonde National Park, Liwonde)
A guided walk to find black rhinos in the park's sanctuary area. - Bushman's Baobabs (Liwonde, Liwonde)
A budget friendly safari camp on the park's edge among old baobab trees. - Liwonde town market (Liwonde town, Liwonde)
A roadside market by the river barrage for fruit, fish and daily supplies. - Liwonde Barrage (Liwonde town, Liwonde)
The dam across the Shire, a good spot to watch fishermen and birds. - Mulanje town market (Mulanje town, Mulanje)
A local market for supplies and snacks before heading up the mountain. - Ilala ferry (Nkhata Bay, Nkhata Bay)
The old lake steamer that links lakeshore ports and Likoma Island on a weekly route.