Example Itinerary:
Lake and Stars, Rivers and Safaris
Lake and Stars, Rivers and Safaris
Muli Bwanje Alendo! (Welcome travelers). Spend the night in Malawi’s capital, with an optional tuk tuk tour of some of the city. Rest up for the adventure ahead!
Time to head for the lake! Known as the calendar lake (365 miles long and 52 miles wide), it’s the fourth largest lake in the world. The lake is incredibly diverse, housing more than 700 species of cichlids. Nestled amongst a local village, get a feel for daily Malawian life. Go for a swim, dive, or snorkel, or go for a hike in the national park. Have sundowners overlooking the lake after a local guide takes you out to the islands, followed by a fish braai (barbeque) on the beach.
A small and charming national park, at only 548 km2, south of Cape Maclear on the Mozambique border. Listen to the hippos grunting from your tented lodge, and go on a safari drive to try to find the recently reintroduced cheetah and lions, as well as the abundant elephants and crocodiles, and wonder at the cathedral-like Mopane woodlands with good populations of buffalo and sable antelope. Breathtaking views of the palm-studded floodplains with flocks of birds in the water and overhead. Game drives, night drives, nature walks with a guide, and river safaris, plus excellent birding.
Situated in the Lower Shire (pronounced “shih-ree”) valley, not far from the Mozambique border. The park’s animal population was devastated in the 1970s and 1980s due to poaching, but is now a relocation and reintroduction success story. By 2013, more than 2500 animals were relocated into the reserve. The park is now Malawi’s only park home to all of the Big Five. Unspoiled wilderness and off the beaten track, go on a private game drive or walking tour. Experience the “warm heart of Africa” by meeting with the local communities and learning more about their traditional lifestyle, including food and local dance.
We head back to the capital for an overnight stop and recharge before heading out to Zambia.
Cross the border into Zambia and head toward the Luangwa Valley. This park is vast and diverse and two full days are recommended to fully explore. The river tracks through the park, so waterway and drive safaris are possible. The guides here are wonderful, with most having been born in the area with decades of tracking and guiding experience. Walking tours are an excellent way to see the finer details of the African bush, seeing smaller animals and birds. The park is well-equipped with restaurants serving a mix of Western and Zambian cuisine, bars, and some hot tubs as well, depending on accommodation.
Optional: Northern Lake Malawi
Take an extra few days to visit the beach voted the most beautiful in Malawi at Makuzi Beach Lodge in Chinteche. Tour the local village and a community sustainable agriculture project. Diving and horseback riding on the beach and in the bush are options here, or relax on the beach and have a lovely beach dinner at the Makuzi restaurant, which has the best food in Malawi, serving both local and international meals.
Take an extra few days to visit the beach voted the most beautiful in Malawi at Makuzi Beach Lodge in Chinteche. Tour the local village and a community sustainable agriculture project. Diving and horseback riding on the beach and in the bush are options here, or relax on the beach and have a lovely beach dinner at the Makuzi restaurant, which has the best food in Malawi, serving both local and international meals.
Head back to Malawi’s capital and either catch a flight that day, or spend a final evening in Lilongwe and head out the next morning.
