In Lake Malawi National Park, water, islands and land areas form part of a single protected area: it encompasses an aquatic ecosystem, Miombo woodlands on land and a total of 13 islands. Its habitats range from rocky shores and sandy beaches to wooded slopes, wetlands and lagoons. The park’s character is shaped not only by its shorelines, but also by its wooded and wetland habitats. Lake Malawi is home to 30 percent of all cichlid species known worldwide. The lake’s fish life is therefore another distinctive aspect of Malawi’s natural heritage.

Wildlife Across Diverse Landscapes

Nyika National Park is home to 85 mammal species and more than 420 bird species. Species counts can change over time depending on survey methods. The park also offers trout fishing in its three reservoirs and most of its rivers. If you plan this activity, check current access arrangements before your visit.

Majete Wildlife Reserve is home to more than 4,000 animals, including elephants, lions, leopards, black rhinos, buffalo, eland, nyala, zebras and hippos. It also has more than 300 bird species, including four vulture species and bateleur eagles. Animal populations and sightings can vary. The reserve encompasses moist Miombo woodlands and dry savannas; the contrast between these two vegetation types is as much a part of its character as the diversity of animals listed here. Majete is in southern Malawi and is considered one of the few places in the country where the Big Five can be seen year-round. Liwonde National Park is also in southern Malawi and borders the Shire River.

The figures for Nyika and Majete answer different questions. In Nyika, they refer to mammal and bird species; in Majete, the figure of more than 4,000 refers to the animal population, while the figure of more than 300 refers to bird species. These figures cannot be combined into a single ranking: species counts and population numbers are different measures. To put them in context, consider the animal group and what each figure measures rather than simply comparing the numbers side by side.

Church Architecture and Rock Art

Malawi’s cultural attractions range from church architecture to rock art. St Peter’s Cathedral on Likoma is considered one of Africa’s largest churches. The Chongoni Rock-Art Area features rock art from farming traditions, as well as paintings by BaTwa hunter-gatherers that date back to the Late Stone Age. The two sites offer different perspectives: Likoma is notable for the scale of a religious building, while Chongoni showcases artistic traditions and their long history. The Chongoni Rock-Art Area is not officially open to the public unless trained staff are permanently stationed on site.

Discover more destinations: Likoma, Nsanje, Lilongwe, Southern Region, Central Region, Northern Region, Tajikistan, Mauritius.