Explore scenic Southern Malawi on this week-long budget lodge safari, visiting diverse highlights of the Warm Heart of Africa.
Southern Malawi Safari highlights include:
An affordable, small-group private safari through the beautiful and friendly African country of Malawi.
This small-group Southern Malawi Safari begins in the city of Blantyre, the economic capital of Malawi. This morning at 10h00 your guide collects you from your pre-tour accommodation in the city and drives you southwest to Majete Wildlife Reserve.
The drive to Majete is about two hours long and takes us to the Lower Shire Valley in southern Malawi. This afternoon we settle in at our first safari lodge, located inside Majete Wildlife Reserve. Head out on a game drive or sit back and watch animals at the floodlit waterhole the lodge is set around. Regular visitors to the waterhole include a family of elephants.
Enjoy a sundowner at the bar before dinner in the thatched restaurant and bar area with a patio looking out onto the bush. After dinner, you can watch wildlife at the floodlit waterhole and retire to your private chalet with its own veranda overlooking the waterhole. The chalets are en-suite tented suites set apart in the bush.
Day two of our Southern Malawi Safari is set aside for exploring Majete Wildlife Reserve in the African Great Rift Valley.
We embark on game drives in the lodge's open-sided safari vehicles returning to the lodge for lunch and a rest in between. Majete Wildlife Reserve covers about 700km² (270mi²) of hilly wilderness. 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. Over 3200 animals have been reintroduced to Majete Wildlife Reserve in recent years, including the Big 5 of Africa (leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and lion). Other animals often seen in Majete include cheetahs, zebras, elands, sable antelopes, impalas, baboons, hippos, waterbuck, kudu, hartebeests, bushbuck, and nyalas.
After a rewarding day of game viewing, we return to the lodge for dinner and a laid-back evening in the open-air boma.
Today we leave Majete after breakfast and drive northeast toward Lake Malawi. Our drive takes us via Blantyre and the former capital of Malawi, Zomba.
Along the way, we pause to visit some of the historical highlights of southern Malawi and have lunch in either Blantyre or Zomba. If time allows we visit the old town of Zomba with its interesting monuments and old colonial buildings at the base of the Zomba Plateau. From Zomba town, we drive up the escarpment into the cool Zomba Mountains.
Arriving at the next overnight lodge on our Southern Malawi Safari we settle in and take in the beautiful views of the valley below. Make yourself at home and take a stroll in the lush gardens of the lodge perched on Zomba Mountain. Have a drink at the bar or rest in your en-suite room with air-conditioning for hot summers and a cozy fireplace for cool winters.
After breakfast on day four in Southern Malawi, there is time for you to explore the scenic mountains of Zomba on foot. Then we set off north to Lake Malawi and our next destination on the lakeshore, Cape Maclear.
Arrive in time for a walk on the pristine beach, a swim in the pool or lake, and sundowners overlooking the vast Lake Malawi. Our lakeside lodge is set on its own private beach at Cape Maclear, called Chembe by the locals, on Lake Malawi. Settle into your quaint en-suite chalet with lake views from its own patio and plan your day of leisure tomorrow. Your guide can help you choose and book activities at Lake Malawi, payable directly to the activity providers.
Day five of our Southern Malawi Safari is set aside for fun in the sun at Cape Maclear. Spend the day 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 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, and visit the historical sites. Water-based activities include scuba diving, boat cruises, snorkeling, kayaking, and simply swimming.
The last full day of our Southern Malawi Safari begins with a leisurely breakfast at the lodge in Cape Maclear. Take a final walk along the private beach or swim in the pool before we continue our journey. Tracing the southern shores of Lake Malawi we make our way to the Mua Mission, our final stop.
Mua hosts the KuNgoni Centre of Culture & Art, which features the Chamare Museum, Carving Centre, and Research and Library Centre. The Mua Mission is an important heritage site, known as the cultural epicenter of Malawi. This afternoon we are treated to an enriching Malawian cultural experience. Visit the museum to find out more about the history of Malawi's tribes. The museum houses a unique display of Gule Wamkulu masks, texts, and images. Then stop in at the craft workshop where Mua Mission's famous wood carvings are made.
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 enjoy 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.
After breakfast at Mua Mission, we travel on to Lilongwe, Malawi's capital city. Our drive takes us via Dedza where you can shop for local curios and crafts, sample the cheesecake and take a walk in the mountains. At about 1600m (5300ft) Dedza is the highest-lying town in Malawi, boasting beautiful mountain scenery.
Our memorable Southern Malawi Safari ends upon arrival in Lilongwe in the mid-afternoon. We look forward to welcoming you back to Malawi, the Warm Heart of Africa!
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 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 |
This tour does take children.
All Malawi Tours | All Lodge Safari trips
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