An extraordinary Malawi & Zambia Safari offering a memorable mix of authentic cultural and wildlife adventures at an excellent price. Starting in Blantyre this budget African safari ends with an included flight from South Luangwa to Lilongwe or Lusaka.
Explore off-the-beaten-track and iconic African wildlife parks on open 4x4 game drives - from Majete Wildlife Reserve and Game Haven in the Shire Highlands of Malawi to the wild South Luangwa National Park of Zambia. Add beach days on the shores of Lake Malawi at Cape Maclear, the cultural intrigues of Mua Mission, the scenic Zomba Plateau, and a boat safari in Liwonde Park. Also, head into the serene Dzalanyama Forest Reserve and visit the local community to experience rural Malawian life.
This unusual small-group tour of Malawi and Zambia takes you on an authentic journey through truly wild Africa.
This small-group Malawi & Zambia Safari begins in the city of Blantyre, the economic capital of Malawi. When you arrive at the Chileka International Airport in Blantyre your guide is there to welcome you to The Warm Heart of Africa as Malawi is fondly called.
Your guide drives you from the airport to your charming lodge in the quiet suburb of Mount Pleasant. Arriving at this beautiful Tudor house you have time to freshen up and settle into your home away from home, near the center of town. If time allows (depending on your time of arrival) you can take a stroll through Blantyre this afternoon. The second-largest city in Malawi, Blantyre is known for its colonial British architecture and lovely parks.
Later you'll meet up with your safari crew and fellow travelers for a tour briefing about your upcoming African adventures. After the get-together, a hearty home-cooked dinner is served at the lodge. Relax and enjoy the lodge's warm hospitality before retiring to your comfortable en-suite room or head out and explore the town at night.
This morning we tuck into a is a fresh continental buffet and cooked breakfast at the lodge in Blantyre, before hitting the road. Leaving Blantyre, we drive southwest to Majete Wildlife Reserve. The drive is about two hours and takes us from the Shire Highlands to the Lower Shire Valley in southern Malawi.
We arrive at the next lodge on our Malawi & Zambia Safari in time for lunch. This lodge is set in a stunning location on the banks of the Shire River where crocodiles are regularly spotted. Settle into your comfortable en-suite chalet and take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool overlooking the river.
This afternoon you can take a walk along the Shire River and unwind at the lodge, join an optional boat cruise or go fishing. Later, have a drink at the bar, soaking up the beautiful views of the rugged bush as the sun sets. End the day off with a delicious dinner at the friendly lodge just outside of Majete Wildlife Reserve.
Day three of our Malawi & Zambia Safari is spent exploring Majete Wildlife Reserve in the African Great Rift Valley. After breakfast at the lodge, we set off in our safari vehicle for Majete. We take a mid-morning snack and a packed lunch to enjoy while on our game drives in the park.
Majete Wildlife Reserve covers about 700km² (270mi²) of hilly bush inhabited by all kinds of wild animals. Declared a wildlife reserve in 1955, today Majete is home to growing wildlife populations and one of the few Big 5 safari destinations in Malawi. On game drives in Majete commonly sighted wildlife includes elephants, cheetahs, zebras, elands, sable antelopes, impalas, baboons, hippos, and buffalos. You may also see waterbuck, kudu, hartebeests, bushbuck, nyalas, black rhinos, leopards, and lions.
In the mid-afternoon, we make our way out of Majete reserve and return to the nearby lodge where you can take a siesta in your chalet or a cool dip in the pool.
After breakfast, we leave this game-rich region of the Great Rift Valley behind and return to Blantyre. Back in Blantyre, we stop for lunch and a visit at the historic Mandala House. The oldest building in Malawi, this grand colonial home was built in 1882 and is now a national monument. From there we drive south to Game Haven in the Thyolo District of southern Malawi.
Our next lodge is set in the indigenous forests and grasslands of a Private Game Park in the Shire Highlands region. The game reserve is home to plains game, such as kudu, roan, eland, sable, giraffe, and zebra, as well as prolific birdlife. Settle in at the peaceful lodge surrounded by pretty gardens and take a swim in the pool with cascading waterfalls.
Top the day off with a sundowner in the Victorian-style bar at the lodge beside Lake Bvumbwe, followed by a delectable dinner at the restaurant.
On day five of our Malawi & Zambia Safari, we have breakfast at the lakeside lodge and explore the scenic area. We take a walking tour of the internationally known Satemwa Tea Estate, which produces a variety of white, black, gold, and flavored teas. While at the tea estate we may get to taste some of the teas and walk up to a beautiful picnic spot on the slopes of Thyolo Mountain, taking in the sweeping views of the estate and surrounding Lower Shire Valley. Keep an eye out for the rare and endemic Thyolo Alethe and other birds in the forest.
Then we tuck into a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Later this afternoon we retrace our steps to Game Haven where you are free to laze at the pool, play a round of golf, or explore the private game reserve on foot or mountain bike.
Today we head north toward Lake Malawi after breakfast at the lodge. Along the way, we pause to visit the post office museum and then the former capital of Malawi, Zomba.
We take a short tour of Zomba town with its interesting monuments and old colonial buildings. From Zomba town, at the base of the Zomba Plateau, we drive up the escarpment into the cool mountains.
Early this afternoon we arrive at our next overnight lodge overlooking the valley below. Make yourself at home and join a guided walk in the surrounding hills. Return to the lodge perched on Zomba Mountain for a drink at the bar or rest in your en-suite room with air-conditioning and a cozy fireplace for extra comfort.
Day seven of our Malawi & Zambia Safari gets off to an early start with breakfast at the lodge. Then we leave the Zomba mountains and drive north towards Cape Maclear on the shores of Lake Malawi.
First, we stop in the town of Liwonde and embark on a boat safari in Liwonde National Park. This is one of Malawi's most popular game parks, also hosting the Big 5 of Africa. The Shire River running through Liwonde Park attracts an abundance of animals and birds so the boat-based game viewing is excellent here. Look out for hippos, crocodiles, elephants, various antelopes, and even rhinos, lions, and, cheetahs.
Our leisurely boat safari in Liwonde is followed by lunch at the boat station along the river. Then we drive on to Cape Maclear and our lodge on the shores of Lake Malawi. Arrive in time for sundowners overlooking the vast lake. Settle into your en-suite chalet with lake views from its own patio.
The next two days of our Zambia & Malawi Safari are set aside for fun in the sun at Lake Malawi.
Spend your days exploring the waters, shores, and villages of Lake Malawi. This time is free for you to relax and do optional activities of your choice. The lodge is set right on the lakeshore within easy walking distance of the local village, making it easy to explore on foot. Non-motorized activities, such as snorkeling and kayaking, are included in your tour price, whilst motorized sports, like water skiing, are offered at extra cost.
Take a walk in the village or hike in the surrounding mountains, visit a local pub and see the historical sites. Out in or on the water optional activities include scuba diving, boat cruises, snorkeling, kayaking, and simply swimming.
On day nine, a sunset cruise on Lake Malawi is included in your tour, to celebrate your laid-back time at Lake Malawi.
On day 10 we say goodbye to lovely Lake Malawi and travel to the Mua Mission. It takes about three hours to drive to Mua Mission in Central Malawi. Mua hosts the KuNgoni Centre of Culture & Art, including the Chamare Museum, Carving Centre, and Research and Library Centre. We arrive at this important heritage site, known as the cultural epicenter of Malawi, in time for lunch. Then we are treated to an enriching afternoon of Malawian culture.
We visit the museum to find out more about the Chewa, Ngoni, and Yao cultures and traditions, their interactions with one another, and their encounters with Christianity and Islam. The museum houses a unique display of Gule Wamkulu masks, texts, and images. We also visit the craft workshop where Mua Mission's famous wood carvings are made. Mua is home to a thriving local community including the arts and crafts center where students learn to make some of the finest wood carvings in Malawi.
Next, we enjoy a cultural dancing experience at the mission before heading to our chalets to freshen up for dinner. Enjoy a wholesome dinner in the centrally located restaurant where you can mingle with other guests or find a quiet spot to admire the leafy gardens. At the end of a culturally rich day in Malawi retreat to your en-suite chalet on the hillside overlooking a stream and the lush gardens.
Today we journey up the Rift Valley escarpment to the central plateau in Malawi. En route, we stop for a light lunch at Dedza Pottery where local artists and craftsmen can be seen at work.
From Dedza we drive to our lodge in Dzalanyama Forest, southwest of Lilongwe, arriving by mid-afternoon. Stretch your legs on a walk in the forest or relax in your en-suite chalet or room. With an array of walking trails to choose from in the forest, you can choose one that suits your fitness levels. Alternatively, hang out at the lodge in the forest, watching the birds and reading a book on the shady verandah. Settle down in front of the fireplace in winter or sit out on the deck on warm evenings.
On day 12 of our Malawi & Zambia Safari, we visit a local community just outside of the Dzalanyama Forest Reserve. A visit to the village is a great way to see how the local Malawians live in this rural area. You can stroll through the village and meet the local people as they go about their daily lives. Stop and learn how to grind maize the rural-Malawian way. You can also sample some of the hearty local food, and brews in the village. Our village visit is not a staged performance. It is a genuine cultural experience that enables you to meet Malawian people, renowned for their friendliness.
At the end of our exciting day in the village, we return to our tranquil lodge in the forest for sundowners on the deck overlooking the stream. In the evening dinner is served in the dining area of the solar-powered lodge.
Wake up to the beauty of Dzalanyama Forest and explore the forest on an early morning walk or head straight for a tasty breakfast. A drive of about two hours brings us to the Malawi-Zambia border where we complete border formalities and cross over into Zambia. A Zambian safari crew meets you at the border and takes over from there.
From the border, your new safari guides drive you to the Mfuwe area of South Luangwa Valley in southeast Zambia. We stop for a picnic lunch before completing the three-hour drive to South Luangwa National Park in the Great East African Rift Valley.
Arriving at our safari lodge next to the Luangwa River you have free time to settle in and swim in the pool. Head to the bar for drinks before dinner is served in the spacious dining area of the intimate lodge. At the end of a long day on the road, fall asleep in your comfortable en-suite chalet with its own riverside veranda.
Please note that new travelers may be joining the Malawi & Zambia Safari today as we cross into Zambia for the next part of our trip.
The next two days of our Malawi & Zambia Safari are dedicated to exploring South Luangwa National Park on thrilling game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles. Traditionally game drives start early, as this is when the animals are on the move, drinking from waterholes and feeding before the heat of the day spurs them to seek shade.
Our days begin with a light breakfast before embarking on the early morning game drive. We take drinks and snacks with us, to keep us going until we return to camp at around 11:00 for a delectable brunch. After brunch you can relax at the safari camp, take a snooze or swim in the pool. At around 16:00 we set off on our late afternoon to evening game drive, our vehicle armed with a powerful spotlight to search for nocturnal animals. We find a suitable spot to watch the sunset and have sundowners. Then we search for leopards, owls, hyenas, and other nocturnal creatures, returning to the safari lodge at around 20:00 for dinner.
South Luangwa National Park is known as one of the best wildlife parks in the world and for good reason. The Luangwa River is the lifeblood of the park and provides water for over 60 animal species and 400 different bird species. Our game drives are hosted by knowledgeable guides, which enhances your safari experience as they impart their extensive knowledge and experiences. The landscape in the park changes with the seasons - dry, dusty bushveld in winter and a lush green paradise in summer.
During your time in South Luangwa Park, you can also take an optional (extra cost) walking safari in season, instead of one of the included game drives.
On the final day of our Malawi & Zambia Safari, we have breakfast at the lodge overlooking the Luangwa River. Then it is time to pack up and say goodbye to the wild beauty of South Luangwa Valley. From the lodge, you are transferred to the Mfuwe airport where you catch your onward flight (included in the tour price) to either Lilongwe, Malawi, or Lusaka, Zambia.
On this budget Malawi & Zambia Safari, the following safari vehicles are used, based on the size of the tour group.
This tour does take children.
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