Bush and Beach Safari in Warm Heart of Africa

Experience a week of complete relaxation in true remote settings. A Combination of a few days on safari in Malawi’s only Big 5 Reserve, where each drive is an adventure; with a few more on the beautiful shores of Lake Malawi.

Mkulumadzi, Majete Wildlife Reserve enjoys a stunning location on the confluence of two rivers. The activities on offer include game drives, boating safaris, bush walks, hiking Majete Hill, cultural tours, birding trips on the Shire River, and game-viewing from a hide. Guests are free to be as energetic or idle as they please although at least one activity per day is encouraged to best enjoy Majete.

On the Lake, Pumulani is set up on a hill overlooking Lake Malawi. One may, therefore, decide to simply soak up the sun and swim in the clear blue waters of the lake or infinity pool. Various water sports such as snorkelling, fishing, sailing, kayaking, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and fun tube are offered. A sunset cruise onboard the dhow is tipped to be the best way to end the day…

Highlights

  • Majete Wildlife Reserve
  • Lake Malawi
  • Scuba diving & Snorkelling
  • Walking & game drives, hiking and cultural tours

Inclusions

  • 7 Nights Accommodation on full board (Breakfast, Lunch & dinner)
  • All transfers by road starting in Blantyre and ending in Lilongwe
  • Local drinks & Laundry Service
  • All Activities (except motorized water sports)

The Itinerary

Day 1

Mkulumadzi in Majete Wildlife Reserve

On arrival at Blantyre International Airport, our representative will meet and assist you. The drive to Mkulumadzi is approximately 2.5 hours through colourful local scenes of villages, agriculture, as well as bush. The camp is located on the confluence of the Shire and Mkulumadzi River; within Majete Wildlife Reserve, 70km south-west of Blantyre – southern Malawi. Majete is Malawi’s only Big Five Reserve and also one of the largest protected areas and covers an area of over 70,000ha.

The reserve is located within the Miombo woodland ecoregion and much of the higher-lying areas in the west of the park are dominated by Miombo/Brachystegia woodland. Mixed Combretum woodlands and mosaics of riparian forest can be found in the east of Majete. Depending on your arrival time in the day you will enjoy a lunch looking out over the Shire River or if you arrive in the afternoon, you can enjoy afternoon tea and the evening game drive. Perfect location to start your safari as Livingstone is recorded to have entered Malawi by way of the Shire River.

Day 2-3

Mkulumadzi in Majete Wildlife Reserve

The luxurious lodge is in a stunning location, the activities include game drives, boating safaris, bush walks, hiking Majete Hill, black rhino tracking, cultural tours, birding trips on the Shire River and nearby Elephant Marsh and game-viewing from a hide. Guests are free to be as energetic or idle as they please although at least one activity per day is encouraged to best enjoy Majete.

Day 4

Pumulani in Lake Malawi

Transfer to Pumulani will be after breakfast, by a beautiful and scenic drive through a game area and village life (around 5 hours). Then you will reach the Nankumba Peninsula of Lake Malawi. This is recognised as one of the most beautiful shores of the Lake and borders Lake Malawi, National Park. This Park was established to protect the cichlid fish unique to the area. In 1984 the park was designated a World Heritage Site.

Pumulani is exclusively situated on the west side of the Nankumba Peninsula, surrounded by the national park. The ten villas are scattered around the hillside and are individual in shape and style but all have a spacious bedroom, bathroom and extensive sitting area. The front sliding doors open onto the deck – elevated above the ground giving optimal views. Our remote beach setting is ideal for those who simply want to soak up the sun and swim in the clear blue waters of the lake.

For those who prefer to dive into the swimming pool, there is an infinity pool near the central dining area with grand views over the lake, as well as another infinity pool on the beach level. For those seeking activity we offer many watersport activities like snorkelling, fishing, sailing, kayaking, waterskiing, wakeboarding and fun tube rides (all motorized activities are excluded). At the end of the day climb aboard our dhow and let our experienced local crewmen take you sailing into the sunset.

Day 5-7

Pumulani in Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi is the world’s most ecologically diverse lake. Its crystal-clear waters are home to more than a thousand species of fish, including hundreds of species of colourful cichlids. We offer special diving courses at the best diving spots near one of the islands. For those who are interested in real Malawian village life, we offer guided walks through one of the local villages. Malawians are renowned for being amongst the friendliest people in Africa and during your stay you will have the opportunity to experience this for yourself. You can also simply relax in the beautiful and tranquil scenery or can enjoy the many other activities.

Day 8

Transfer to Lilongwe International Airport

On the final day of your stay with Pumulani, you bid farewell to the lodge. You will be transferred back to Lilongwe in time for your onward connection.

Where You'll Be Staying

Mkulumadzi Lodge,

Majete Wildlife Reserve

The lodge has eight superb chalets, each with spacious living quarters and a private viewing deck. Guests can swim in our pool, dine under the stars, enjoy river cruises, game drives and walking safaris. Majete Wildlife Reserve is a vast region of mature woodland and granite hills, picturesque river valleys and dense forest. It is home to the elusive black rhino, along with elephant, buffalo, nyala, sable, eland and hartebeest. There are plans to reintroduce lion, leopard and cheetah in…
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Pumulani Lodge,

Lake Malawi

Situated on the west side of the Nankumba Peninsula on the Southern end of Lake Malawi you can find Pumulani subtly nestled in the lush hills amongst the trees and craggy outcrops. The ten villas provide the ultimate in space, design, comfort and privacy. David Livingstone famously named Lake Malawi “The Lake of Stars” and for good reason, during the day the light dances across the deep blue water and once the sun has set the stars to twinkle brightly…
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What's not included

Personal Travel Insurances - Visa fees where applicable - All flights - Gratuities

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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Feedback From Our Previous Clients

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Dillon P profile picture
Dillon P
01/01/2025
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Epic experience Truly a once in a lifetime experience! We always felt safe and well looked after on the trip, the scenery was excellent and the value for money was off the charts. Definitely a trip we would want to do again.
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howard0928
10/11/2024
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Excellent operator! Absolute Zambia was fantastic. Every connection ran smoothly, a representative was in hand whenever necessary. Booked us in fantastic lodges with great accommodations and even better food Highly recommended
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Sorel
19/10/2024
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Well organized, amazing safari Robert helped us plan every detail of our first safari/trip to Africa. He was incredibly responsive via email, and allowed us to explore a variety of options. We visited the city of Lusaka, 2 game parks, Victoria Falls, Johannesburg, and a Mozambique beach resort. Every step of the way went smoothly.I especially recommend South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi game parks for safari. We saw a wide range of game and our guides were knowledgeable. It was overall an amazing experience.
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Laurent - societyofexploration
18/09/2024
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100% recommendation for your Zambia travels Robert arranged a two weeks photography tour for us, combining Wildlige and culture (Likumby Lya Mize and Nyau mask dances) and we enjoyed it a lot. He was extremely responsive to answer all our questions before the tour and arranged many extras that are, for photographers, of the utmost importance - private safari vehicles, full day game drives, efficient planning - making sure we didn‘t miss a thing! Also the recommended lodges were faultless. A special thanks to our driver, Kamara, who, with his professionalism and positive attitude, helped to overcome every small difficulty that we met during our overland travel days. The budget we gave was also respected and we got good value for our money. I give a 100% recommendation to this reputable Zambian owned company.
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marys
25/08/2024
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AMAZING EXPERIENCE Robert Zgosi was amazing! Everything on our trip was perfectly planned and executed. I couldn't have asked for a better experience! I have recommended this company to friends and would definitely use them again!
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Diamond1924
07/07/2024
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Absolutely Great Tour AZS organised a perfect customised tour for us, combining Victoria Falls and South Luangwa nature reserve. Everything went really smoothly from stepping off the plane at Livingstone, crossing the Zimbabwean border, internal Zambian flights, and selecting terrific Lodges. We were pleasantly surprised to be welcomed at Lusaka Airport as we connected to our flight to Mfuwe. Would thoroughly recommend - AZS were brilliant at rearranging everything when we had to delay our trip as well. Really good.
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Anna L profile picture
Anna L
14/05/2024
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Perfect holiday in Zambia Robert designed a perfect trip for our family. He chose local owned lodges that met our budget. He was always available to make sure we were okay or to give us advice. I highly recommend Absolute Zambia Safari!
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Howard K K WONG
13/05/2024
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The most professional and trustworthy agent for safaris in Africa We have just returned from a wonderful 9 days’ trip in Zimbabwe which was recommended and well organized by Robert from Absolute Zambia Safaris. According to our budget and wishing list, Robert organized us to stay at two wonderful lodges each close to two different National Parks in Zimbabwe and last stop by Victoria Falls. I was lucky to have entrusted Robert to organize my first experience of safari at his own country ( 5 days’ Luangwa trip) in 2019. Same as before, we did not have to think about anything on this trip but enjoying every moment on our safaris, especially the sightings of white rhinos which we mostly interested in. All the arrangements were seamless with only one hiccup, it was not the fault of Robert or his team but the “Imvelo” whose tram services could not be resumed on the date as they had hoped. What a pity that we could not celebrate our special event on that tram as planned. Robert be given credit once again in this regard, he promptly negotiated with Imvelo who eventually compensated us a charter flight to Victoria Fall with no extra charge and had out luggage forwarded by road to our hotel on the same day. All the way through our return to the airport for our flight back home, definitely exceeded our expectations. Robert of Absolute Zambia Safaris was truly amazing and I wholeheartedly recommend him to those planning a trip in South Africa.
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Gary V
19/12/2023
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Another perfect holiday We were a party of eight, most of us on a return trip (last one in 2020 - also with Absolute Zambia Safaris) under the expert guidance of Robert. It was again a holiday without a single complaint. Pickups were reliable and punctual, the David Livingstone resort is perfectly located on the banks of the Zambezi with comfortable beds, sumptuous food, an infinity pool, and an unlimited supply of food and drinks on the silent but spacious sunset cruise. Robert (from Absolute Zambia Safaris) dealt with all our changes, additions, amendments, and cancellations with endless patience and understanding. It was a perfect holiday, we will be back. Thank you Absolute Zambia Safaris.
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Lisa A
24/11/2023
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Amazing five-day trip Absolute Safari organised an amazing five-day trip for us which included 2 nights in Mwanfushi safari lodge and 2 nights by Victoria falls. Everything worked out perfectly and Robert was quick on the email, answering and organising according to our wishes. Our driver Brian was excellent and always on time and the price very reasonable. Can highly recommend.

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