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Due to the warmth and hospitality of its people, Malawi is often referred to as “the warm heart of Africa.“ The country between Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique awaits you with its originality and diversity. Magnificent landscapes, national parks rich in wildlife, untouched nature and dream beaches on Lake Malawi make the still relatively unknown country a gem of Africa. Away from mass tourism, you can discover the continent’s fascinating wildlife on game drives, bush walks and boat trips and experience a lasting African adventure.
Your journey begins on a charming tea plantation in the hilly south of Malawi. In the Majete and Liwonde National Parks you will experience fantastic safari adventures, and, with a little luck, you will come across the ‘Big Five’. The impressive Lake Malawi, home to countless seabirds, enchants with small fishing villages, picture-perfect beaches and a wide range of water activities.
You will stay in enchanting boutique hotels and comfortable lodges, always attentively and at the same time unobtrusively cared for by the warm-hearted Malawians.
The best time for this trip is from April to October. In April, May and June, after the rainy season, the land is lush and green, and the paths are dry. From July to October the grass is drier and allows for better sightings of the animals. October is the warmest month of the year (good for water activities in Lake Malawi). In the other months, travel is limited.
Guided trip in English.
Welcome to Malawi
Your local tour guide (driver-guide) will welcome you at Blantyre Airport and accompany you to your hotel in the Thyolo District (approx. 50 kilometers/approx. 1.5 hours drive). The accommodation with five individually furnished rooms and an interesting colonial history also welcomes you warmly – a perfect start to your trip. (B)
Overnight stay at the Huntingdon House*** hotel on the Satemwa Tea Estate.
Exploring the Satemwa Tea Estate
For breakfast on the hotel’s khonde (veranda), you will be treated to a picturesque view of rolling hills and forests, tea and coffee bushes. Take plenty of time to acclimatize. The Satemwa Tea Estate has been exporting tea and coffee all over the world for 100 years. Take a tour of the plantation, taste the tea or coffee grown there and visit the production facilities. If it is harvesting time, you are welcome to watch the coffee harvest. Alternatively, you can explore the area on the lodge’s own mountain bikes. (B, L, D)
Overnight stay at the Huntingdon House Hotel***.
Through the Lower Shire River Valley to Majete Wildlife Reserve
Rested, you set off through the Lower Shire River Valley to the Majete Wildlife Reserve (approx. 110 kilometers/approx. three hours drive). After lunch in the lodge, your first encounters with the unique African wildlife await you. Majete is off the beaten track, not comparable to the tourist crowds of other African countries. The national park of the same name has an incredible success story in national nature conservation. Idyllically located at the confluence of the Shire and Mkurumadzi rivers, the Mkulumadzi Lodge is your atmospheric home for the next two nights. (B, L, D)
Overnight stay in the Mkulumadzi Lodge**** in the Majete Wildlife Reserve.
Wildlife observation in Majete Wildlife Reserve
You start very early in the morning for your first wildlife observation, you will have breakfast in the camp. In the afternoon there will be another excursion to the national park: a bush walk, a boat trip or a trip in a safari vehicle. The reserve, whose animals were almost wiped out by poaching ten years ago, is now home to numerous black rhinos, elephants, buffalo, waterbucks, antelopes and zebras, as well as leopards and lions. Animals have even been relocated from here to other parks in Malawi. (B, L, D)
Overnight stay at the Mkulumadzi Lodge****.
On the Zomba Plateau
After breakfast, you set off for Zomba, the capital of Malawi in the 19th century. The Zomba Plateau in the Shire Highlands is a true paradise for nature lovers and hikers. After lunch, you will meet your local hiking guide and discuss the best route for today’s hike through the beautiful nature. Look forward to spectacular panoramas! (Today’s total driving distance approx. 180 kilometers/approx. 4-5 hours driving time). (B, L, D)
Overnight stay in the boutique hotel Kefi*** in Zomba.
Visit to an NGO, travel to Liwonde Wildlife Reserve
In the morning you will visit a social youth project (NGO) in Zomba. It was founded in 1998 by a group of young people to improve the socio-economic conditions of orphans, young people and the elderly. You will then travel on to the Liwonde Wildlife Reserve, another highlight of your Malawi trip (approx. 125 kilometers/approx. 3-4 hours drive). (B, L, D)
Overnight stay at Kuthengo Camp*** in the Liwonde Wildlife Reserve.
Wildlife observation in Liwonde Wildlife Reserve
Liwonde National Park is dominated by the sluggish Shire River and its lush vegetation. Grassland and savannah, forests and marshland alternate. In addition to the largest elephant population in the country, the park is home to many other African animals as well as over 400 different species of birds. Two excursions per day in a safari vehicle, boat or on foot will enchant you with unforgettable impressions of the African animal world. (B, L, D)
Overnight stay at Kuthengo Camp***.
Wildlife observation in Liwonde Wildlife Reserve
Today, the experienced guides at the lodge are happy to introduce you to the fantastic nature and wildlife of the African continent. With a little luck, you will come across hippos, antelopes, leopards, hyenas and lions. The day ends in a relaxed manner with a chilled sundowner and a view of herds of waterbucks gathering by the river in the evening light. (B, L, D)
Overnight stay at Kuthengo Camp***.
Travel to Lake Malawi
You say goodbye to Liwonde National Park and head towards Lake Malawi (approx. 240 kilometers/approx. 4-5 hours drive). The lake is the third largest inland body of water in Africa and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Various water activities and walks guarantee you both relaxation and variety over the next few days. (B, L, D)
Overnight stay at the Pumulani Lodge**** in Cape Maclear.
Relax at southern Lake Malawi
The Pumulani Lodge**** on the secluded shores of southern Lake Malawi enchants with panoramas and soothing peace – ideal for reflecting on the countless impressions of the last few days. Here you can spend your time very pleasantly swimming, diving, sailing or water skiing. In the evening you can enjoy a breathtaking view over the atmospheric Lake Malawi. (B, L, D)
Overnight stay in the Pumulani Lodge****.
To the private island of Nankoma
(Lake Malawi)
Today starts early. First you drive to the Salima/Senga Bay region (approx. 135 kilometers/approx. 3.5 hours drive), from there a boat takes you over to the Blue Zebra Island Lodge**** on the island of Nankoma (UNESCO World Heritage). Another great place to relax! In the afternoon you can relax on the lake shore, snorkel or hike around the small island. Alternatively, you can enjoy a beautiful infinity pool in the environmentally friendly lodge. (B, L, D)
Overnight stay in the Blue Zebra Island Lodge**** on Nankoma Island.
On Nankoma Island
Today you can choose between action and relaxation, between kayaking and hammock. In the evening you can admire the spectacular view of the shimmering turquoise Lake Malawi one last time and enjoy Malawian specialties one last time. (B, L, D)
Overnight stay at the Blue Zebra Island Lodge****.
Goodbye Malawi!
After breakfast, you will be taken by boat and car to the airport in Lilongwe (approx. 125 kilometers/approx. three hours drive). There you will say goodbye to your driver-guide. Goodbye Malawi! (B)
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Program subject to change. The travel times indicated are the actual travel time (without breaks and photo stops).
*2-3 travelers: Toyota Fortuner, 4-8 travelers: Toyota Quantum
**Safaris/excursions with other guests of the lodges if necessary, maximum nine travelers per vehicle, open Land Rovers/Land Cruisers are used for these excursions.
Not included: flights°, additional activities and excursions, motorized activities on Nankoma Island (costs on request), meals not mentioned in the itinerary, drinks, tips and personal expenses.
For Luxembourg and German citizens with a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry, is in good condition and has at least two blank pages; Luxembourg citizens also require an electronic entry permit. There are currently no restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this can change at short notice at any time.
No vaccinations are required (a yellow fever vaccination is only necessary when entering from yellow fever infected areas), but we recommend keeping your standard vaccinations up to date (as of 09/2024). With your travel confirmation you will receive a personalized link with tips and recommendations, and with your travel documents you will receive further information about the country you are traveling to.
Malawi is not yet fully developed for tourism, so not all accommodations have WiFi. However, your guide can help you purchase a local SIM card if you wish. You may also want to ask your provider before departure about the options available for using your mobile device in Malawi. Please note that the hotels and lodges only offer non-smoking rooms.
No insurance is included in the travel price. We strongly recommend taking out travel cancellation insurance that includes Covid-19 as well as appropriate travel health insurance that includes treatment (including quarantine) for Covid-19.
This trip is not suitable for guests with mobility issues. If necessary, please tell us the type of mobility restriction you have before booking and clarify with us whether we can meet your individual needs.
Planet B is a brand of Bollig Tours s.à r.l.. Bollig Tours is therefore named as the organizer in our general travel conditions.
Information about the national parks
The Majete Wildlife Reserve is located away from mass tourism and has an incredible history of nature conservation. Ten years ago, the animals in the reserve were almost extinct. Today it is home to numerous black rhinos, elephants, buffalo, waterbucks, antelopes and zebras, as well as leopards and lions. Animals have since been relocated from there to other parks in Malawi.
The Zomba Plateau is located within the Shire Highlands, the highest peaks reach over 2000 meters. It is a true paradise for hikers and offers a magnificent view. Steep slopes rise up to the plateau on three sides and turn into wooded hills further down. There you will find cypresses, cedars and pines. Zomba is known for its diverse birdlife and is home to numerous antelope species.
The Liwonde National Park is dominated by the sluggish Shire River and its lush vegetation along the edge. It evokes the romantic image of untamed Africa, especially at night, when the air echoes with the chirping of frogs and the grunting of hippos. Grassland and savannah, forests and marshland alternate. A boat safari on the Shire River is a must to see the wonderful nature from a different perspective. Bush walks with experienced guides and game drives offer unique experiences. The park has the largest elephant population in the country and a large number of hippos, antelopes, leopards, hyenas, lions and more than 400 species of birds.
Lake Malawi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, covers a third of the country and is a highlight of every trip to Malawi. At 560 km long and 80 km wide, it is the third largest inland body of water in Africa and is home to the greatest diversity of fish species of any lake in the world. Small bays with white beaches and the wonderfully clear water quickly make you forget that you are on a lake. If you love nature and want to escape the crowds, this is the perfect place to relax.
Driver Guide / Guide
Your driver, who is also your tour guide, will accompany you throughout the entire trip (from Blantyre airport/to Lilongwe airport). During the safaris that you take from the various lodges, the nature guides employed there are responsible for you and look forward to introducing you to their country and its unique nature and wildlife. Other guests from the respective lodges may take part in these excursions, which take place in open Land Rovers/Land Cruisers (maximum 10 participants).
(+352) 72 97 22-1 - info@bollig-tours.lu
121, route de Luxembourg L-6562 Echternach
Mon - Fri 10.00 - 18.00 / Sat 09.00 - 13.00
