![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/LMal.jpg\")
Pack a picnic, grab your swimsuit and head for the Lake of Stars. This famous freshwater lake is surrounded by picturesque beaches by day, and mirrors the starry night sky for those with more nocturnal tendencies. Frolic to your heart\u2019s content, or just lounge around and soak up the African sun. Either way, Lake Malawi will leave your batteries recharged and your raison d\u00e9tre reaffirmed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Walk the streets of Lilongwe<\/h1>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Lilongwe-resized.png\")
Walk the streets of Lilongwe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMake your way to the country capital, Lilongwe<\/a>, and visit the curio market to be blown away by beautifully crafted keepsakes. Feast your eyes on African art while you wait for your Chitenje garments to be tailored, or sample the local cuisine and take part in Nsima eating competitions for some serious bragging rights! Lilongwe market is a melting pot of colours, aromas and gorgeous textiles. It\u2019s the best way to take a piece of Malawi home with you.<\/p>\nVisit the Mawira Hot Springs<\/h1>\n
The Mawira hot springs are situated in the middle of Nkhotakota, the largest traditional African town in Malawi<\/a>. The springs provide a beautifully exciting day trip. Locals endow water from the springs with healing properties and good fortune and are more than happy to show happy travellers around. Feel free to bottle some of the exfoliating mud, take in the landscape and treat yourself to sundowners on a boat as you bask in an exquisite Lake Malawi sunset.<\/p>\nClimb the highest mountain in Central Africa<\/h1>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Mount-Mal-resized.png\")
Picturesque Mount Mulanje<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFeeling brave? Assuage your adventurous spirit by climbing Mount Mulanje. More affectionately known as the \u201c\u2019island in the sky\u2019\u2019, Mount Mulanje boasts some of the world\u2019s best mountaineering experiences. Choose from a range of activities such as hiking some of the more forgiving trails, to summiting the Sapitwa peak and taking a well-deserved dip in a cool mountain pool. These extraordinary rock formations have something to offer all fitness levels. Burn calories while you satisfy your geographic curiosity!<\/p>\n
Soak up some History on Likoma Island<\/h1>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Likoma-resized.png\")
Likoma Island<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nLikoma Island is the only part of Malawi located in Mozambican<\/a> waters and offers travellers a rich and diverse peak into the country\u2019s history. The island is famous for having been the headquarters of the David Livingstone\u2019s mission to Africa and is home to the 100-year-old Likoma Anglican cathedral.\u00a0 The vast building was built in 1903 and is a rare work of art boasting stained glass windows and meticulously chiselled colonial style architecture.<\/p>\nVisit the Chilema Tree<\/h1>\n
Before leaving Zomba, head to a little trading centre called Malosa. This is where you\u2019ll find an area called Chilema. Chilema, meaning \u201cdisabled\u201d or deformed\u201d in Chichewa, is home to two unusual natural phenomena. The first being a stream that flows from the top of Malosa Mountain, which becomes smaller and smaller as it descends toward Chilema. The stream disappears before reaching its destination and has had locals confounded for years. Secondly, the Chilema tree is a tree so large that it looks like an entire forest. Locals are unable to pinpoint precisely where the trunk is or where the vast canopy begins and ends. This is definitely something working taking a peek at!<\/p>\n
Master the Bao Board<\/h1>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Bao-resized.png\")
Bao Board Game<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nPlaying Bao is one of Malawi\u2019s favourite pastimes. More than just a game of logic, Bao is a social occasion and consummate friend-making mechanism. It\u2019s also a great way to learn a few local phrases. Whether playing for fun or taking part in one of the many Malawian Bao tournaments, learning to play will definitely place you in high regard with the locals! Bao masters are affectionately known as \u201cFundis\u201d and are given honorary Malawian status.<\/p>\n
Hike to the top of the Zomba Plateau<\/h1>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/zomba-resized.png\")
The Zomba Plateau<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNestled in the rolling hills of the Shire Highlands, Zomba is home to an impressive 1800m high plateau filled with hiking trails and peppered with still lakes and picturesque waterfalls. The 6-hour uphill path is perfect for appreciating the lush, green landscape, and for spotting wildlife. Look out for leopards, giant butterflies, as well as fascinating birdlife. As you make your way to the top, stop at the Chingwe\u2019s hole.\u00a0 Historically, people who had leprosy were thrown into this hole and left for dead. Yikes!<\/p>\n
Always see a museum<\/h1>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Mal-resized.png\")
Gule Wamkulu dance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNo holiday is complete without a visit to a museum. Make your way to Blantyre<\/a> to check out the Museum of Malawi. With artefacts from as far back as the 16th century, visiting the museum makes for an exciting cultural experience.\u00a0 You can also check out relics of the bygone Malawian transport age, including a Nyasaland bus, and an exhibition on the Gule Wamkulu dances.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
While we can\u2019t guarantee you wanting to ever come home, we can guarantee an unforgettable experience in the warm heart of Africa<\/a>. Be sure to see as much as possible, or as the locals would say, see for mahala!<\/p>\nHave you visited Malawi recently? Tell us some of your favourite spots in the comments section below!<\/p>\n
Remember to subscribe<\/a> to our newsletter for the latest flight specials<\/a> to Malawi and other beautiful destinations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Make your way to the country capital, Lilongwe<\/a>, and visit the curio market to be blown away by beautifully crafted keepsakes. Feast your eyes on African art while you wait for your Chitenje garments to be tailored, or sample the local cuisine and take part in Nsima eating competitions for some serious bragging rights! Lilongwe market is a melting pot of colours, aromas and gorgeous textiles. It\u2019s the best way to take a piece of Malawi home with you.<\/p>\n The Mawira hot springs are situated in the middle of Nkhotakota, the largest traditional African town in Malawi<\/a>. The springs provide a beautifully exciting day trip. Locals endow water from the springs with healing properties and good fortune and are more than happy to show happy travellers around. Feel free to bottle some of the exfoliating mud, take in the landscape and treat yourself to sundowners on a boat as you bask in an exquisite Lake Malawi sunset.<\/p>\n Feeling brave? Assuage your adventurous spirit by climbing Mount Mulanje. More affectionately known as the \u201c\u2019island in the sky\u2019\u2019, Mount Mulanje boasts some of the world\u2019s best mountaineering experiences. Choose from a range of activities such as hiking some of the more forgiving trails, to summiting the Sapitwa peak and taking a well-deserved dip in a cool mountain pool. These extraordinary rock formations have something to offer all fitness levels. Burn calories while you satisfy your geographic curiosity!<\/p>\n Likoma Island is the only part of Malawi located in Mozambican<\/a> waters and offers travellers a rich and diverse peak into the country\u2019s history. The island is famous for having been the headquarters of the David Livingstone\u2019s mission to Africa and is home to the 100-year-old Likoma Anglican cathedral.\u00a0 The vast building was built in 1903 and is a rare work of art boasting stained glass windows and meticulously chiselled colonial style architecture.<\/p>\n Before leaving Zomba, head to a little trading centre called Malosa. This is where you\u2019ll find an area called Chilema. Chilema, meaning \u201cdisabled\u201d or deformed\u201d in Chichewa, is home to two unusual natural phenomena. The first being a stream that flows from the top of Malosa Mountain, which becomes smaller and smaller as it descends toward Chilema. The stream disappears before reaching its destination and has had locals confounded for years. Secondly, the Chilema tree is a tree so large that it looks like an entire forest. Locals are unable to pinpoint precisely where the trunk is or where the vast canopy begins and ends. This is definitely something working taking a peek at!<\/p>\n Playing Bao is one of Malawi\u2019s favourite pastimes. More than just a game of logic, Bao is a social occasion and consummate friend-making mechanism. It\u2019s also a great way to learn a few local phrases. Whether playing for fun or taking part in one of the many Malawian Bao tournaments, learning to play will definitely place you in high regard with the locals! Bao masters are affectionately known as \u201cFundis\u201d and are given honorary Malawian status.<\/p>\n Nestled in the rolling hills of the Shire Highlands, Zomba is home to an impressive 1800m high plateau filled with hiking trails and peppered with still lakes and picturesque waterfalls. The 6-hour uphill path is perfect for appreciating the lush, green landscape, and for spotting wildlife. Look out for leopards, giant butterflies, as well as fascinating birdlife. As you make your way to the top, stop at the Chingwe\u2019s hole.\u00a0 Historically, people who had leprosy were thrown into this hole and left for dead. Yikes!<\/p>\n No holiday is complete without a visit to a museum. Make your way to Blantyre<\/a> to check out the Museum of Malawi. With artefacts from as far back as the 16th century, visiting the museum makes for an exciting cultural experience.\u00a0 You can also check out relics of the bygone Malawian transport age, including a Nyasaland bus, and an exhibition on the Gule Wamkulu dances.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n While we can\u2019t guarantee you wanting to ever come home, we can guarantee an unforgettable experience in the warm heart of Africa<\/a>. Be sure to see as much as possible, or as the locals would say, see for mahala!<\/p>\n Have you visited Malawi recently? Tell us some of your favourite spots in the comments section below!<\/p>\n Remember to subscribe<\/a> to our newsletter for the latest flight specials<\/a> to Malawi and other beautiful destinations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Visit the Mawira Hot Springs<\/h1>\n
Climb the highest mountain in Central Africa<\/h1>\n
Soak up some History on Likoma Island<\/h1>\n
Visit the Chilema Tree<\/h1>\n
Master the Bao Board<\/h1>\n
Hike to the top of the Zomba Plateau<\/h1>\n
Always see a museum<\/h1>\n