"The oldest town in Malawi, Blantyre has a pleasant mid-altitude climate and serves as a springboard for exploring a number of relatively low-key but thoroughly worthwhile natural sites, including the towering Mulanje Massif, the bird-rich elephant marsh, the pedestrian-friendly Zomba Plateau and the untrammelled Lengwe National Park. ”

- Philip Briggs

Blantyre and Southern Malawi

Named after the small Scottish village where David Livingstone was born, Blantyre started life in 1876 as a mission station and although it is less populous than the capital Lilongwe, it retains a more cohesive city-like feel. Sightseeing is limited but it forms a useful springboard for exploring the multifarious attractions of southern Malawi.

The literal highlight of the region is the Mulanje Massif. Essentially an outsized granite inselberg, it is the highest mountain in Malawi at 3,002m, and its peak stands a full 2km in altitude above the base. A hiker’s paradise, the upper slopes of this isolated massif are serviced by an excellent network of hiking huts and well-marked trails, but the steep first-day ascent isn’t for novices.

A better prospect for less experienced hikers, the Zomba Plateau is the most accessible of Malawi’s large mountains, reached from the town of the same name via a good all-weather road. The highland forest and grassland of Zomba offers some great walking and horseriding, and the views from the plateau edge feel like they stretch to the end of the world.

The best known attraction in the Lower Shire Valley south of Blantyre is the Majete Wildlife Reserve, which is one of the country’s two Big Five safari destinations. For self-drivers, an almost-as-alluring option is the untrammelled and little-visited Lengwe National Park, which hosts substantial populations of buffalo, samango monkey and half-a-dozen antelope species including the handsome nyala and greater kudu. Prominent among Lengwe’s checklist of 330 bird species are racquet-tailed roller and pale-billed hornbill. The park is also a good base for a day visit to the atmospheric Elephant Marsh and its profusion of waterbirds.

When to go

Find out when is best to visit

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Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.

Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.

Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.

Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.

Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.

Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.

Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.

Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.

Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.

Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.

Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.

Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.

Explore Blantyre and Southern Malawi Properties

Huntingdon House

Huntingdon House

Huntingdon House is the original 1932 home of Maclean Kay, founder of Satemwa Tea Estates. The grand colonial-style building is now a boutique guesthouse with heaps of character and a lively backstory. Ideal for a remote stay ..

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