Stay in comfortable yet affordable lodges on this exciting one-week Northern Malawi Safari, starting and ending in Lilongwe.
Highlights of this budget lodge safari in Malawi include:
A fun and affordable private Malawi Safari Tour, exploring a great mix of wilderness and lakeside gems.
Welcome to Malawi, the 'Warm Heart of Africa'! Our Malawi Safari Tour sets off from Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, this morning.
Leaving Lilongwe we drive about 3.5 hours north to the Viphya Plateau. The Viphya Mountains stand about 5500 feet (1700 meters) above sea level, offering a pleasantly cool climate. Our first destination in northern Malawi is the peaceful Luwawa Valley.
Driving up into the beautiful mountains of Viphya we head to our first safari lodge overlooking Luwawa Dam, a stone's throw from the Luwawa Forest Reserve. Settle in at the scenic lodge surrounded by pine and indigenous forests and explore the area on foot. The forests of Viphya attract a variety of birds some of which we hope to spot as we walk through the trees.
This afternoon you can enjoy some of the exciting activities available at the Luwawa Forest Lodge, Malawi's top outdoor activity center. Choose from a wide range of options including horse riding, cycling, canoeing, rock climbing, abseiling, trail walking, fishing, and birdwatching.
End the day off with dinner and drinks at the solar-powered lodge before heading to your comfortable chalet for a good night's rest. The rooms are spacious and en-suite with mosquito nets and fans.
On day two of our Northern Malawi Safari, we travel further north to Livingstonia. Our drive takes us via Mzuzu where we pause for lunch (own expense) before driving on to our next lodge in Livingstonia.
Founded by the famous explorer David Livingstone, Livingstonia is a historical highlight of Malawi. This was the final mission station on the Livingstonia Mission in Central Africa, established in 1894. The town offers lovely views of Lake Malawi and serves as an ideal base for walks to the waterfalls in this area.
Settle in at our charming eco-lodge on a mushroom farm with views of Lake Malawi. Then set off on a hike to one of the waterfalls or some of the viewpoints overlooking the Great Rift Valley, Lake Malawi, and Tanzania beyond. Tonight we stay in clean and basic, yet comfortable rooms up on the escarpment surrounded by nature.
Day three in northern Malawi is spent exploring the Mushroom Farm and Livingstonia area. Your guide can take you on a historical tour of Livingstonia or lead you on a hike through the forest. Take a stroll through the lodge's permaculture gardens and soak up the beautiful mountain scenery.
You can order wholesome meals (own expense) made with locally-sourced ingredients at the lodge or use the self-catering kitchen to prepare your own.
This morning you can enjoy breakfast (own expense) at the eco-lodge on the clifftop, then we descend down to the scenic northern shores of Lake Malawi. Following the famous 22-hairpin bend road down the escarpment, we trace the lakeshore south to Mzuzu before dipping into the Rift Valley to reach Chintheche.
Along the way, we stop in the bustling village of Nkhata Bay for lunch (own expense). Then we drive just a little further south to Chintheche.
Chintheche boasts some of the best beaches along the shores of the vast freshwater Lake Malawi. The southernmost lake in the East African Rift Valley, Lake Malawi has clear, warm waters and enjoys a tropical climate, making it a great place for water sports and relaxing on the sandy beaches. As we explore the natural beauty of Malawi, renowned for its warm and friendly people, we also discover its rich culture.
The next lodge on our Northern Malawi Safari Tour is set along its own private beach in manicured gardens. We stay in en-suite chalets overlooking the private bay of Lake Malawi. Settle in at the lodge and head to the bar for a drink overlooking the vast lake before enjoying dinner (own expense) in the restaurant.
Day five of our Malawi Safari Tour is for taking it easy on the tropical beaches of Lake Malawi and exploring in and around Chintheche. Lake Malawi is surrounded by scenic mountains that you can explore or you can simply relax on the sandy shores of Lake Malawi.
Your safari guide is happy to help you arrange optional activities in the area. At the secluded Makuzi Bay, there are a wide variety of fun activities to choose from, including snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, sailing, and yoga. The bay offers excellent bird-watching opportunities and lovely scenery, ideal for strolling and enjoying the peace. Treat yourself to a massage or simply loll in the warm waters of the lake. Go horse riding or scuba diving nearby or get involved in one of the community projects. Take a village tour which includes a historical missionary site, community projects, a museum, and a taste of the local cuisine.
On the last full day of our Malawi Safari, we leave our tropical paradise at Makuzi Beach and drive further south to Nkhotakhota Wildlife Reserve.
Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve is Malawi's biggest and oldest game reserve covering 1,800 km2 (695mi²) of forested hills. The reserve is home to over 500 elephants and a host of other wild animals reintroduced to Nkhotakota in recent years. Our final overnight stay is at a tranquil eco-lodge bordering Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. After settling into your comfortable chalet you can take a walk along the Bua River keeping an eye out for birds. Or take a refreshing swim in the pool and relax at the bar, before tucking into a hearty dinner in the spacious dining area.
This morning our Northern Malawi Safari takes us back to Lilongwe driving south via the scenic shores of Lake Malawi.
Arriving back in Lilongwe in the early afternoon, this unique and affordable Malawi Safari Tour comes to a close. Your safari includes a transfer to the airport for your onward travels. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Warm Heart of Africa in the future!
Please note that the transfer vehicle used on this tour depends on the size of your tour group.
| Number of People / Group | Vehicle |
|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Small 4X4 Utility Vehicle (high ground clearance) |
| 4 to 7 | 4X4 Converted Safari Expedition Vehicle |
| 8 to 15 | 16-Seater Toyota Coaster Bus |
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does take children.
All Lilongwe Departures | All Malawi Tours | All Lodge Safari trips
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