This 6-day Lake Malawi & Zambia Safari takes you to Zambia's top game reserve, South Luangwa National Park, and a small island on Lake Malawi!
The Luangwa Valley incorporates 9050km² of unspoiled woodland and riverine vegetation and is home to over 40 mammal and 650 bird species. On this affordable lodge safari, you have ample opportunity to explore the untamed South Luangwa Valley on morning and afternoon-to-night game drives, conducted by professional guides in open 4x4 safari vehicles.
After our thrilling wildlife adventure in Zambia, we journey to Lake Malawi, via Lilongwe. The beautiful tropical waters of Lake Malawi are ideal for snorkeling and diving, and our lodge on Nankoma Island is the perfect place to chill out and explore.
This private South Luangwa Valley Zambia & Lake Malawi Safari offers a superb African wildlife and lake-island getaway!
This Lake Malawi & Zambia Safari departs from Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi. This morning your guide picks you up from your pre-tour accommodation in the city. Leaving Lilongwe your guide drives you to the border between Malawi and Zambia where you'll cross into Zambia and continue to South Luangwa Valley.
Our first lodge is located inside the South Luangwa National Park in the game-rich Mfuwe area of Luangwa Valley. Arriving at the safari lodge in the mid-afternoon we settle into our comfortable chalets and relax at the lodge overlooking the Luangwa River. Take a refreshing dip in one of the swimming pools, sit back and enjoy the wild African bush setting. This evening, a delicious dinner is served in the spacious dining area or outdoors at the lodge.
Spend two glorious days exploring South Luangwa National Park.
We head out into the untamed bush at the best times of day for game viewing - early mornings and late afternoons. The early mornings are ideal for catching the early risers and nocturnal hunters returning from the prowl. Then, in the late afternoons, animals begin to stir as the midday heat subsides and as darkness falls the creatures of the night emerge. After dark, our afternoon game drive becomes a night drive guided by powerful spotlights. South Luangwa National Park is renowned for its excellent night game drives, which are included in this African Safari.
The game drives are conducted by the fully qualified guides of the lodge in open 4x4 safari vehicles. These experienced local guides are happy to share their intimate knowledge of the Luangwa Valley and its wildlife with you. In between our morning and afternoon wildlife adventures we return to the safari lodge for tasty deli-style meals from the a la carte menu. You'll also have free time to relax at the lodge between game drives. You can take a swim, visit the reference library, soak up the wilderness from one of the decks, and have a rest in your private chalet.
Laid-back evenings at the lodge are a given, with a welcoming campfire awaiting in the boma next to the river. Simply sit back and enjoy this pristine wilderness area of Zambia.
You also have the option of embarking on guided game walks (at extra cost) in the walking safari season. South Luangwa is the place where walking safaris in Africa began and it is still famous for its game walks today.
On this Lake Malawi & Zambia Safari, we stay at a South Luangwa lodge set along the Luangwa River inside South Luangwa National Park. The lodge offers a genuine African bush experience in style and comfort, priding itself on the high quality of its affordable luxury accommodation.
Accommodation at the safari lodge is in six en-suite chalets housed in three separate buildings. Each building has a downstairs double room with an en-suite bathroom and an upstairs twin or triple room with its own private bathroom. A kitchen area with a fridge and complimentary tea/coffee stations is shared between two chalet rooms in each building. The stone buildings with thatch roofing are designed to keep guests cool in the African heat. Each of these chalets is spacious and well-ventilated with high ceilings, fans, and quality furnishings.
Lodge facilities include two swimming pools, the main lodge area (with WiFi), a spacious restaurant, and a reference library. The lodge also features an outdoor boma area, wooden viewing decks, and outdoor dining and seating areas in the courtyard and gardens.
After breakfast this morning we leave South Luangwa Valley behind, making our way out of Zambia. Crossing back into Malawi we return to Lilongwe, where we transfer to a smaller vehicle for our two-hour drive to Lake Malawi. A picnic lunch is enjoyed along the way.
Reaching the shores of vast Lake Malawi, we board a boat for the transfer to our lodge on a nearby island on the lake. The boat ride takes us on a scenic journey down the Linthipe River and out to the Marelli Island Archipelago of Lake Malawi. Our Lake Malawi lodge lies on Nankoma Island, just three kilometres from the lakeshore in Lake Malawi National Park.
We stay in comfortable tented chalets with en-suite bathrooms overlooking the lake on a dinner, bed, and breakfast basis.
The last full day on this Lake Malawi & Zambia Safari is free for you to enjoy Nankoma Island of Lake Malawi.
Spend the day unwinding at the island lodge and enjoying a variety of activities. Go snorkelling or kayaking around the island (included in your tour price). Explore the island on foot, following the nature trail to the top of the island and birdwatching along the way. The lodge also offers exciting optional activities (at extra cost) including a boat ride around Nankoma Island to watch cormorant colonies and fish eagles. Other optional activities include scuba diving, windsurfing, and wakeboarding (at extra cost). Scuba diving is a popular activity at Lake Malawi which hosts over 800 species of fish and is known for its abundance of brightly-colored Cichlid fish.
Overnight at the island lodge on a dinner, bed, and breakfast basis.
The lodge on Nankoma Island is located right on the lakeshore, providing beautiful sunset views over the water. Nankoma Island is part of the Marelli Archipelago in Lake Malawi National Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island boasts diverse flora and fauna, along with rich birdlife, making it a great destination for nature lovers.
The lodge features eight comfortable tented chalets in unspoiled nature, overlooking the lake. The lodge restaurant has a choice of 3 menus daily including vegetarian options. The poolside bar serves a wide variety of drinks and homemade cocktails for sundowners overlooking the lake. Lodge facilities include an infinity pool, a volleyball court, and several secluded lounges for relaxing and watching the spectacular sunsets over the lake. The lodge also offers a wide variety of activities for adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts.
On day six we have breakfast and say goodbye to the beautiful Nankoma Island and Lake Malawi. Take a boat back to the mainland and transfer to Lilongwe where this Lake Malawi & Zambia Safari began. We arrive in the city in time for your onward journey, bringing this affordable South Luangwa Valley & Lake Malawi Safari to a close.
| Number of People / Group | Vehicle |
|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | Normal Saloon Vehicle (low ground clearance) |
| 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 Zambia Tours | All Lodge Safari trips
1. Nankoma Island, Malawi
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