Malawi

Malawi has long been an Original Travel favourite, so while Lake Malawi is the obvious focal point for tourism, we can recommend much more to see besides. There are scenic highlands such as the Nyika Plateau in the north and the Mt Mulanje region in the south - both of which offer excellent trekking.

One of the best parks for game viewing is Liwonde, most of which comprises the wide flood plain of the Shire River that flows out of the lake. The Vwaza Marshes also provide good game-viewing and budding botanists should enjoy the 200-plus species of orchid that grow here. Finally, for a most unusual and enjoyable holiday try a riding safari up on the montane grasslands of Nyika among the resident wildlife.

Each of Malawi's regions, and the country as a whole, can offer itineraries at upmarket and mid-market levels. Malawi holidays can be relaxed, or packed with a variety of activities. There are also plenty of specialist niche activities and tours which can be catered for, including: cycling; diving; eco-tourism; trekking; birdwatching; weddings & honeymoons; and many more.

Nowadays it's also fairly straightforward to combine sections of Malawi with neighbouring Zambia, particularly as Lilongwe is so close to the South Luangwa National Park, making Malawi the perfect 'beach add-on' to a Zambia safari. Malawi and Tanzania or Mozambique can also be combined in a wider itinerary using air charters."