Malawi is “the warm heart of Africa”; despite its beautiful scenery, supremely friendly people and the Lake with its white sand beaches and islands, is not yet a real tourist destination and the experience of visiting the country is totally unspoiled by the usual tourist trappings.

Malawi’s big draw is the lake: a magnificent shard of crystal water stretching some 500km along Malawi’s eastern border, separating it from the wild and mountainous coast of Mozambique and Tanzania. Isolated villages pepper the northern lakeshore and the beautiful Liwonde National Park rests at its southern tip. Freshwater diving and snorkelling here are excellent. Malawi’s not just for water babies and sun worshippers though; there’s plenty here to keep you active and Malawi’s landscape is surprisingly diverse.

Whilst it may not have quite the sheer numbers of large mammals (particularly predators) as some of its better known neighbours, it makes up for this in other ways. Head for the misty heights of Mount Mulanje or the Nyika National Park, where you’ll find sheer escarpments, dramatic peaks, endless rolling grassland and some of the most enjoyable hiking routes in the whole of Africa.