10 Days Best of Malawi Safari & Tour
Embark on a journey to the “Warm Heart of Africa,” expertly blending world-class wildlife with stunning lakeside relaxation. This safari takes you to Malawi’s top destinations:
- Majete Wildlife Reserve: Track the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino) in this remarkable reserve, a true conservation haven.
- Cultural Encounters: Connect with Malawi’s famed hospitality through village tours and visits to local artisan centers like the KuNgoni Centre and Dedza Pottery.
- Liwonde National Park: Experience Africa from the water on thrilling boat safaris along the Shire River, observing elephants, hippos, and countless birds up close.
- Cape Maclear (Lake Malawi): Unwind on what is considered one of Africa’s best beaches. Snorkel among colorful cichlid fish, kayak, and enjoy sunset cruises on the crystal-clear lake.
With comfortable lodges, expert guiding, and two daily game activities in the parks, this itinerary offers the perfect introduction to the best of Malawi.
Highlights
- Majete Wildlife Reserve is Malawi's finest wildlife attraction and home to the Big Five Safari.
- Some of Africa's best elephant, crocodile, hippo, and general wildlife Viewing
- Home to the rare and critically endangered black rhino
- Birder’s delight (Pel’s fishing owl, Boehm's bee-eaters, Lillian’s love birds, and Livingstone’s flycatcher)
- Cape Maclear is a leading tourist destination
- Explore Snorkelling, hiking, boat cruises, kayaking, and diving.
Inclusions
- 1 Night Bed and Breakfast Basis at Latitude 13 degrees Hotel or similar in Lilongwe; Junior Suites Accoomodation, Full Breakfast, Activities include; 1 x Tour of Dedza Pottery, KuNgoni Centre of Arts and Craft(Museum, Art Gallery, Showroom and Campus)
- 2 Nights Full Board Basis at Chembe Eagles Nest or similar in Cape Maclear; Ensuite Accommodation, Meals, activities includes;(a morning boat cruise, village tour, and sunset cruise).
- 3 Nights Full Board Basis at Thawale Camp in Majete Wildlife Reserve; Ensuite Accommodation, Two game viewing activities per day( Game drive/ Sundowner game drive/Boat ride/Sundowner boat ride/Bird walk), All meals, Park Fees
- 3 Nights Full board at Chimwala Camp in Liwonde National Park; Ensuite Accommodation, Meals , Two game viewing activities per day (Game...
Inclusions
- 1 Night Bed and Breakfast Basis at Latitude 13 degrees Hotel or similar in Lilongwe; Junior Suites Accoomodation, Full Breakfast, Activities include; 1 x Tour of Dedza Pottery, KuNgoni Centre of Arts and Craft(Museum, Art Gallery, Showroom and Campus)
- 2 Nights Full Board Basis at Chembe Eagles Nest or similar in Cape Maclear; Ensuite Accommodation, Meals, activities includes;(a morning boat cruise, village tour, and sunset cruise).
- 3 Nights Full Board Basis at Thawale Camp in Majete Wildlife Reserve; Ensuite Accommodation, Two game viewing activities per day( Game drive/ Sundowner game drive/Boat ride/Sundowner boat ride/Bird walk), All meals, Park Fees
- 3 Nights Full board at Chimwala Camp in Liwonde National Park; Ensuite Accommodation, Meals , Two game viewing activities per day (Game Drive & Boat Safari), Park Entry Fees.
- Travels: All Road Transfers throughout the Trip
The Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Lilongwe, Malawi
Meet & Greet by Our driver on arrival at Lilongwe International Airport and then transfer to Latitude 13 hotel where you will overnight on bed and breakfast.
It’s a short drive of about 30 minutes check-in and then you will have the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Day 2
Cape Maclear on the shores of Lake Malawi
Today you depart for Cape Maclear on the shores of Lake Malawi. On your way, you will have few points to stop and experience a few things.
Dedza Pottery
A pottery centre that makes clay pots and other acts of international standard. Abut87km from Lilongwe as you ascend the plateau, you will have time to visit the showroom, the art centre where they make the different materials and have time to have some coffee with the famous Dedza Cheese Cake.
Golomoti Escarpment
The Golomoti Escarpment acts as walls of the Great East African Rift Valley protecting Lake Malawi from spilling over into the Zambezi Valley. Only 24km long as you descend, you will drop from 1600 metres above Sea Level to just about 700 metres above sea Evel in the Bwanje Valley. As you descend you will experience some of the best views of the valley and Lake Malawi.
KuNgoni Centre of Arts and Craft at Ma Mission
Kungoni Centre of Arts and Craft is an old missionary settlement. The missionaries came to this place in 1902 to set a mission station. Over time the centre grew into a centre of religion in that part of the country. There is now a museum where some of the best cultural artefacts are kept, a showroom where you have some of the best artworks done by the local community and an art gallery where you view some of the best artworks done so far. On this trip, you will be conducted in the museum, art gallery and showroom. You will also have an opportunity to look around the campus hat has lots of vintage buildings and other facilities.
You will depart this centre and head for your last leg of the trip arriving at Cape Maclear later afternoon. You will check-in at Chembe Eagles Nest or similar other facilities on a bed and breakfast basis.
Lake Malawi
Lake Malawi is a freshwater body. It is the 3rd largest in Africa and 2nd deepest in Africa. It is also called the calendar lake because it is 365 miles long with an average of 80km wide. Some people call it “Lake of Stars” because when early European explorers got to the lake, at night they saw fishermen lighting the surface of the lake with their fishing lights that reflected like stars. Lake Malawi has more fish species than any other lake in the world.
Cape Maclear is a beach village on the Southern part of the lake at Namkumba Peninsula. It is described as the best beach in Africa on a lake and one of the best on Lake Malawi. Cape Maclear is part of the Lake Malawi National Park. This Park is considered the first aquatic park in the world that was declared around the 80s. It was specifically declared to protect the Cichlids Fish, a multicoloured fish species endemic to Lake Malawi.
The luxurious lodge is in a stunning location and activities include game-drives, boating safaris, bush walks, hiking Majete Hill, black rhino tracking, cultural tours, birding trips on the Shire River and game-viewing from a hide.
Guests are free to be as energetic or as idle as they please although at least one activity per day is encouraged to best enjoy Majete.
Day 3
Full day at Cape Maclear
Today you are full day at Cape Maclear. You will first go on a boat cruise on Lake Malawi. These are local boat engine powered. You will visit Illalla Pass, circle Domwe Mountain, visit Thumbi Island, feed the eagles and cichlids fish, play around the islands, visit Otters Point and head to the historical graves. You will return to your lodge for lunch and some rest. Early afternoon you will do a Chembe Village Tour and return to the beach at about 16hrs for your sunset cruise. The sunset cruise takes you to Otters Point where you moor your boat and just enjoy the sun setting over Lake Malawi. Cape Maclear experiences one of the best sunsets over the lake. You will return to your lodge for your night on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 4
Depart for Majete Wildlife Reserve
Today you leave just after breakfast for your trip to Majete Wildlife Reserve.
Majete Wildlife Reserve.
Majete Wildlife Reserve is our southernmost park. It is set in the Lower Shire River, our biggest river in Malawi. The park straddles the river. The most important thing is that this is the only BIG 5 park in Malawi. It has lions, leopards, elephants, Buffaloes and rhinos.
Travelling to Majete is a long distance. You will pass through the Bwanje Plains, go up the Kirk Range and cross the Shire River into the Shire Highlands. You will have your lunch break in Blantyre, Malawi’s commercial and biggest city. After our lunch and simple travel through Blantyre, you will proceed on to Majete Wildlife Reserve checking in at Thawale Camp on full board. After checking in you will proceed on your first game activity, an afternoon/evening game drive which will; take you p to 20hrs when you return to camp for your night.
Day 5 & 6
Full days in Majete Wildlife Reserve
Today you start your game activities early just after your early breakfast. This takes you for 4hrs and returns to camp around 11 am. You have time to rest and have your lunch. More rest and you go into your afternoon/evening game activity returning to camp around 20hrs for your dinner and night.
Day 7
Departing Majete heading to Liwonde NP
Today you will have breakfast and your morning game activity then you head to Liwonde National Park. After your morning activity, you proceed to Blantyre, have your lunch in Blantyre and proceed to Liwonde National Park checking in at Chimwala Camp on full board. You will get there in time for your afternoon/evening game activity then back to the camp in time for dinner and later bed time.
Day 8 & 9
Explore the Liwonde National Park
You will have two full days to explore Liwonde National park with 2 game activities, a boat safari in the morning and a game drive in the afternoon/evening. You will start your activities just after breakfast probably a boat safari.
This is one of the most amazing activities in Liwonde National Park. The Shire River passes through the park. Animals converge on both sides of the river to graze, swim and drink water. This being the only perennial river in the park, this becomes even more interesting and exciting during the dry season when both water and green grass is found in and around the river.
You will do your boat safari in the river, coming in close contact and up loose with both aquatic and land animals. You will return to camp for your lunch, relaxation. Thereafter you will head back to your afternoon/evening game activity then return to camp for your dinner and bed time at leisure.
Day 10
Departing for Lilongwe
Breakfast then check out and depending on your flight time you will be transfered to Lilongwe International Airport. Its a road trip of about 4.5hrs to for Lilongwe .
Passing through and on top of the Kirk Range, you will have time to meet many Malawian communities by the roadside all the way passing through the Malawi/Mozambique Border for a good 80km.
What's not included
- Visa Fees
- Person Travel/Medical Insurance Cover
- All Flights
- Extra Meal (lunch/dinner in Lilongwe)
- Drinks
- Extra Activities
- Laundry Services
- Anything of personal nature
Why Choose Absolute Zambia Safaris?
Absolute Zambia Safaris is a specialist in bespoke and private safaris in Zambia. Through our large safari operators, we proudly assist our guests in designing custom-made safaris.
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