Located in south-east Africa, bordering Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia, Malawi is one of
Africa's most scenic destinations offering a range of attractions such as
Lake Malawi, unspoilt wildlife sanctuaries and unending grasslands.
Lake Malawi is easily the most popular attraction for the majority of people going on a Malawi safari. Positioned on the Great Rift Valley, the 365 miles-long and 52miles-wide lake dominates the landscape of the small landlocked country.
A large section of the lake is protected within the
Lake Malawi National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site and the world's first freshwater lake, which supports a thriving population of wild animals including the big five; lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard. Lake Malawi is home to over 400 species of freshwater fish, most of which are not found anywhere else in the world.
Other popular destinations for Malawi safari include Majete Wildlife (the country's only official Big 5 Park), Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, Liwonde National Park, Nyika National Park (the oldest national park in Malawi), Likoma Island, Lilongwe and Blantyre among others.
Black rhino, lion and leopard can be spotted in Majete and Liwonde. Other animals that can be seen in Malawi include baboon, hyena, warthog, zebra, buffalo, roan, eland, water-buck and bush duiker among others.
More than 650 species of birds have been recorded in Malawi - making the country a haven for birdwatchers. These include red-winged francolin, pelican, kingfisher, livingstone flycatcher, black-breasted snake eagle among others.
Like Malawi, Madagascar - located off the eastern coast of Africa, about 500km from Mozambique - is a fascinating
travel destination. The archipelago is made up of several large islands that form the world's fourth largest island.
Madagascar is endowed with 45 national parks, nature conservancies and game parks of which six were in 2007 enlisted as Unesco World Heritage Sites. The six are Zahamena, Masoala, Andohahela, Marojejy, Ranomafana and the
Andringitra National Park.
Madagascar safaris, which are best taken during the cool dry season between March and September, offer visitors some rare opportunities to watch endemic animal species in their natural habitats.