"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
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PLAN MY JOURNEYBlantyre 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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The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
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We got in touch after hearing about Hide & Seek from a friend. Have to say hats off to Jamie, he was so patient throughout, even through our indecisiveness! Ultimately we ended up with the most incredible holiday of our lives. Thank you again, we will be back!!
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Thank you for arranging our Safari holiday in Kenya and Tanzania for us. It was to celebrate our 40th. Wedding anniversary which was on July 1st. 2018, and through your arrangements, we have had a holiday that we will never forget...
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Thanks so much for a truly unforgettable once in a life time holiday. Hopefully we will be in touch again soon!
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Spot on in terms of itinerary . We not disappointed by any of the suggestions and had the best holiday ever! Thank you!
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Jamie was very helpful throughout the booking process and recommended the perfect holiday. There was nothing we would change having now been out to Tanzania. I would highly recommend Hide & Seek to friends and relatives.
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Jamie was excellent. Once I described what we wanted I knew he would come up with the business. ..and he did!!! 5 stars
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We spoke to numerous travel agents over the period we looked at booking our honeymoon and only hide and seek gave me the confidence I was looking for. Really pleased with our decision.
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Hide and seek dealt with our last minute travel plans extremely well. Obviously, our accommodations shifted as availability diminished but ultimately they came up with a vacation that we will never forget.
