Malawi Escorted Tours

Escorted Tours to Malawi

Landlocked but hemming its huge namesake lake and the run of the River Shire, Malawi is a mix of massif peaks and Great Rift valley, tea estates and untouched wilderness, tranquil shores and thrilling wildlife; all enhanced by its famous friendliness.

Why choose a tour in Malawi?

A small country, seldom featured on mainstream safari holidays, Malawi is one of Africa’s less visited destinations, so relatively few people experience the feast of good things in this little parcel, from culture to wildlife and stunning landscapes.

Known as ‘the warm heart of Africa’, the country credits its people as its greatest asset, a wonderfully welcoming mix of several tribes, each with its own art, customs, and traditions. With a population close to 20million, the great majority continue their lifestyles in traditional, rural villages; towns and cities are home to about 10%, and a million people live in Lilongwe, the capital.

The country’s natural splendour spreads west and south from the shores of Lake Malawi, 365 miles long, 52 miles wide, and famed for its crystal-clear waters. With cormorants and fish eagles overhead, shoals of tropical fish in its shallows, kayaks and dhow boatmen on the water, and deserted sandy beaches at its edge, the sea-like lake reflects the sky and is spangled with starlight at night, prompting explorer David Livingstone to dub it ‘the Lake of Stars’.

Malawi’s most popular game reserve, Liwonde National Park meets the bank of the Shire River and the southern shore of Lake Malombe with bare-branched baobabs and borassus palms, weaver birds in the woodlands, Pel’s fishing owls by the river, and hippos in pools and lagoons. In its grasslands are lions, leopards and cheetahs, hyenas and hartebeests, bushbucks, black rhinos, and sizeable herds of elephants.

The remote Majete Wildlife Reserve covers 700km² with riverine forest and mature woodlands, vast savanna and granite peaks. Bordered by the Shire River rapids and crossed with lesser waterways, it attracts 300 species of birds and myriad animals, predators and prey. A superb conservation success, the reserve reintroduced thousands of animals, protecting endangered species, and becoming Malawi’s only officially recognised Big Five reserve.

Jules Verne’s journeys in Malawi are teamed with safaris in Zambia’s spectacular South Luangwa National Park.

When to go on Malawi holidays

The country has two main seasons: Dry and relatively cool from April to the end of October, when game viewing is good as animals gather at the river; and Rainy, mid-November to end March, when the rains are usually short, sharp downpours. This ‘green season’ is superb for birdwatching. Daytime temperatures hover between 22 and 27°, rising above 30° from September to December.

Who are Malawi tours suited to?

A big adventure in one of Africa’s smallest countries, Malawi’s parks are rarely crowded except by animals. With rewarding game viewing from dawn to dusk, and from bush walk to boat safari, the country delivers an enthralling experience of its untamed landscapes and wildlife; a perfect choice for the serious safari lover.

Jules Verne’s safaris are in sociably small groups, staying in riverside camps and luxurious lodges.

Why book Malawi tours with Jules Verne?

With 45 years’ experience and a passion for creating extraordinary holidays, Jules Verne finds the most intriguing, adventurous, and inspiring places to explore. Our safaris typically take to the tracks in small groups with a knowledgeable driver/guide, well versed in the habits and habitats of the country’s amazing animals. Special experiences on our journeys in Malawi include a sunset dhow cruise on the lake, a guided walk to a typical local village, and the opportunity to join a birding trip, Black Rhino tracking, or game viewing from a hide.

Our guided tours to Malawi are ABTA and ATOL protected, so you can book with complete confidence.