This new ninth edition of Bradt’s Malawi remains the only standalone practical guidebook to this magical southeast African destination produced by a mainstream publisher. Long known as the ‘warm heart of Africa’, thanks to its traditional welcome, Malawi is a small country with a big lake – accounting for around a third of its territory – and, oddly, is the first nation outside Denmark to have a Carlsberg brewery.

The guide takes you from the northern Nyika Plateau with its zebra herds to the long lake shore and the easy charm of baobab-studded Likoma Island. Heading south, you come to the capital Lilongwe and nearby Cape Maclear, a low-key resort town with excellent diving and snorkelling. From here you can travel to Liwonde National Park, famed for its abundant elephant and hippo, and the historic town of Zomba, whose high plateau is criss-crossed by hiking trails. Heading south again brings you to Mount Mulanje, the country’s highest peak at 3,002 m.

Malawi offers many outstanding adventure opportunities: kayaking on the vast lake amongst dug-out canoes; walking up the Rift Valley escarpment to Livingstonia; and watching the ‘big five’ in wonderful natural surroundings. With the reintroduction of sought-after mammals, including elephants to Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve and African wild dogs to Liwonde, plus excellent birdwatching, Malawi is a wildlife destination to savour. Also up for discovery are a resurgent music scene (including the Tumaini Festival), intriguing monuments, ancient rock art at Chongoni and compelling village culture.

Written by Philip Briggs (arguably the world’s most experienced guidebook author) and updated by Helena Smith (who partly grew up in Malawi), this ninth edition benefits from a brand new, full-colour guide to wildlife and a thorough update of key practical information. Dedicated chapters on background context and fauna are complemented by a 19-chapter breakdown of the country and 38 maps, making this an ideal companion for backpackers, overlanders, wildlife watchers, birdwatchers and other outdoor enthusiasts. From luxury camps to local guesthouses, from safaris to cycle tours, and from crafts to cultural tourism, Bradt’s Malawi covers every aspect of an unforgettable trip to Africa.