Our favourites for beach holidays in Malawi
You'll find lodges which offer water skiing, parasailing, sailing, wakeboarding and various other watersports - whilst most visitors come simply for a relaxing beach holiday after a safari in Africa.
Have a look through these lodges, and don't hesitate to contact us for any further information.
Best camps & lodges for Beach holidays in Malawi
Chintheche Inn
The simple Chintheche Inn, owned and managed by Wilderness Safaris, is a relaxed beach lodge on the western shore of Lake Malawi, Africa's third-largest lake. This northern part of the Malawi lakeshore is green and lush, dotted with fishing villages and endless sandy beaches.
Makokola Retreat
Makokola Retreat is a great holiday-spot for water-lovers. It offers many water-based activities, from diving and waterskiing, to parasailing and further extraordinary sports. Discover the underwater world of the fresh water lake on a snorkeling trip straight from the beach.
Pumulani
To make your stay one of your best beach holidays, Pumulani offers a range of activities. Enjoy the sheer feeling of remoteness by the infinity pool, race around the lake on water-skis, or join a stately dhow for sundowners in the middle of the lake – the choice is yours.
Kaya Mawa
The waters of Lake Malawi are implausibly clear, great for diving and especially snorkeling – which you can do straight from the golden beach of Kaya Mawa. This is one of our best spots for a relaxing beach holiday on the lake, and in a surprisingly remote place.
Beach holidays elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Beach holidays in other countries.
Where to see wildlife species in Malawi
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.
Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
91% SUCCESS
4,180 sightings from 4,595 observations
Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
47% SUCCESS
2,234 sightings from 4,757 observations
Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
3,459 sightings from 4,276 observations
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
33% SUCCESS
1,188 sightings from 3,609 observations
Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
32% SUCCESS
1,005 sightings from 3,130 observations
Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
55% SUCCESS
2,473 sightings from 4,531 observations
Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
707 sightings from 2,332 observations
Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
86% SUCCESS
4,030 sightings from 4,695 observations
Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
83% SUCCESS
2,925 sightings from 3,516 observations
Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
90% SUCCESS
3,046 sightings from 3,403 observations
Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
24% SUCCESS
555 sightings from 2,357 observations
Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
49% SUCCESS
1,651 sightings from 3,370 observations
Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
25% SUCCESS
581 sightings from 2,341 observations
Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
67% SUCCESS
2,820 sightings from 4,202 observations
Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
4,394 sightings from 5,228 observations
Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
65 sightings from 3,804 observations
Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
81 sightings from 3,758 observations
Other styles of holiday in Malawi
Discover all that Malawi has to offer
