Malawi is a small, friendly country with a very big lake, and the 67 places to stay we've picked make the most of both. Expect to pay from about USD 120 up to USD 950 per person per night. Most trips end on Lake Malawi, a freshwater lake so vast it passes for the sea, where you can snorkel with endemic fish or kayak between sandy coves. Our favourite is Kaya Mawa on Likoma Island, reached by light aircraft, where stone-and-teak cottages sit on a granite headland with sunken baths and terraces you can swim from. Closer to the mainland, Blue Zebra Island Lodge is a relaxed retreat on Nankoma Island with an infinity pool looking out over the water. For safari, head to Liwonde National Park, where the canvas tents at Mvuu Lodge line a lagoon off the Shire River and hippos and crocodiles gather out front. Majete Wildlife Reserve and the cool, forested Zomba Plateau are easy additions. Malawi's nickname, the Warm Heart of Africa, is very well earned.

Likoma Island, Lake Malawi
From the moment you fly onto Likoma Island in your tiny, five-seater Cessna, you’ll be entranced by the laidback rhythm of island life. And then you’ll reach Kaya Mawa, tucked away on a cotton-candy beach overlooking the lake, and life just gets better and better. One of those fabulous lodges that has effortlessly-relaxed, beach-chic style down to a T, Kaya is truly a slice of heaven. Think immaculately decorated rooms built into the granite rocks, chilled-out water activities, and gourmet food, all mixed with incredible views and even better cocktails. In the local Nyanja language, Kaya Mawa actually means ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ – and relaxation is most certainly the order of the day here.

Liwonde

Majete Reserve
Nyika

Zomba Plateau
Blantyre
Lilongwe
Thyolo
Likoma Island, Lake Malawi

Liwonde
Majete Reserve

Nyika
Zomba Plateau

Blantyre

Lilongwe
Thyolo
Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi

Liwonde

Blantyre
Lilongwe

Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi

Lilongwe
The Crafted Residence is a peaceful sanctuary tucked away in the leafy surrounds of Area 12, Lilongwe, where lush gardens, wide open space and extraordinary birdlife create an atmosphere of calm from the moment you arrive. The gardens are alive with a stunning variety of birds, filling the space with colour and birdsong and offering a daily reminder of nature, even while staying in the city.

Lilongwe

Lake Malawi

Lilongwe

Western Shore, Lake Malawi

Southern Shore, Lake Malawi

Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi
Western Shore, Lake Malawi
Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi
Namibrand, Namibia