Lilongwe, Malawi's sleepy capital, lies on the banks of the Lilongwe River. It's small and separated into two distinct parts, old and new. The old town, to the south, is livelier than it's newer counterpart, with buzzing local markets and crafts shops interspersed with cafés and local eateries. You'll also find two of Lilongwe's most impressive mosques here. A tour of Lilongwe is a pleasant way to kick-start your Malawi travels, while its proximity to the border with Mozambique and Zambia, makes it popular inclusion in a broader African travel itinerary.

The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is one of the city's newest visitor attractions. It's Malawi's first sanctuary for rescued, orphaned and injured wild animals. This community driven project has a two-tiered function as a wildlife sanctuary and local education centre and is well worth a visit. The centre runs a primate release programme in Kasungu National Park and has released other rescued animals at other sites across Malawi.