15 days
This two-week itinerary does not only makes travelling to Malawi and Zambia easy during these uncertain times (no standing in COVID-19 testing queues during your holiday) but is also of outstanding value for a limited time only!
Leaving aside the amazing wildlife, birdlife and those amazing African open spaces /sunsets and sundowners, here are just some of the reasons why this trip works so well.
Highlights
Places Covered; Lilongwe, South Luangwa National Park, Liwonde National Park, Mumbo Island and Nankoma Island
DAY 1 - 2: WINES AND WINGS GUEST HOUSE | LILONGWE
In the heart of Area 12, 5-minute walk from The Four seasons centre, 15-minute walk from The Golden Peacock Shopping Centre. City Centre is about 20-minute walk, we are a few kilometres from Kumbali and have a supermarket 50 metres from the house. The house has 6 staff to help cook, clean and look after you. Our home is well furnished and comfortable, with a pool, lovely garden, good social areas, modern kitchen, fast Wi-Fi, DSTV and is a top spot.
DAY 2 - 7: CHIKUNTO SAFARI LODGE | SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK
At Chikunto Safaris we are passionate about operating sustainably, minimising our ecological footprint and delivering a truly memorable experience for every one of our Guests.
Our planet is precious and the resources it provides are finite, which is why we choose to operate by solar power; recycle and minimise our water usage; reduce and recycle waste; use eco-friendly cleaning products and avoid the use of chlorine in our magnificent salt-water counter-current Swimming Pool.
We are closely entwined with our local community, with a number of our Staff Members being retrained and staying on after our initial construction – becoming valuable members of the Chikunto Family. We buy from local suppliers and support several community programmes.
DAY 7 -8: WINES AND WINGS GUEST HOUSE | LILONGWE
In the heart of Area 12, 5-minute walk from The Four seasons centre, 15-minute walk from The Golden Peacock Shopping Centre. City Centre is about 20-minute walk, we are a few kilometres from Kumbali and have a supermarket 50 metres from the house. The house has 6 staff to help cook, clean and look after you. Our home is well furnished and comfortable, with a pool, lovely garden, good social areas, modern kitchen, fast Wi-Fi, DSTV and is a top spot.
DAY 8 – 11: MVUU LODGE | LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK
Mvuu Lodge overlooks a tranquil lagoon just off the Shire River with the main lounge area set high above the water in an area of captivating variety and beauty. It has an extensive wildlife library and telescope to make the most of the exceptional bird and other life that moves around the river. Mvuu means “hippo” in Tonga and the name epitomises the large numbers of pods of these water-loving mammals that float in the river. In this lush and fertile area, an excellent diversity of animals can be seen.
Accommodation comprises eight luxury tents, one of which is a romantic honeymoon suite. Each tent has en-suite bathroom facilities and a deck built to look over the water. Lodge facilities include a dining room, pub, lounge area and a swimming pool.
Activities include boat safaris, nature walks, treks & trails birding, and traditional game drives by day and night. No visit to Mvuu is complete without a visit to one of the villages on its boundaries to experience authentic African village life.
DAY 11 – 13: MUMBO ISLAND CAMP | MUMBO ISLAND
Mumbo is a pristine island in Lake Malawi National Park which, with its crystal-clear waters and innumerable species of cichlid fish, offers some of the best freshwater scuba diving in the world and the best snorkelling on the Lake.
The island lies 10km northwest of Cape Maclear, where reception and the nearest point of road access are located. The camp comprises five units (two twin tents and three twin reed chalets) perched on rocks high above the water shaded by lush foliage, each with bucket showers, ‘eco-loos’ and a wooden deck. A hammock provides a comfortable spot to take in the idyllic Lake view. A twin-tented family unit is tucked into the forest near the main beach. There is a dining area, bar and watersport gazebo of timber and thatch.
Activities here vary from lazing in a hammock to snorkelling, diving, swimming, kayaking, walking and birdwatching. Guests have the option of boating or paddling to explore the granitic islands of the Lake.
DAY 13 – 15: BLUE ZEBRA ISLAND LODGE | NANKOMA ISLAND
The perfect getaway for nature lovers looking for a combination of adventure and relaxation in a tranquil, private setting. Exclusively situated on Nankoma Island, a wild paradise in Lake Malawi National Park (UNESCO World Heritage site). Unobtrusive and eco-friendly, operating on solar power.
Offering a unique and sustainable travel experience, Blue Zebra is a conservation driven lodge working with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife in Malawi to protect three islands making up the Marelli group: Nankoma, Maleri, and Nakantenga. These uninhabited islands are home to a vast array of freshwater fish, including some of the rarest and colourful in the world. They support diverse flora and fauna and are a bird watcher's paradise.
Accommodation: a unique set-up with 9 en-suite safari-style tented chalets and 1 Superior Cottage overlooking Lake Malawi. Secluded executive chalets boast stunning views from private balconies, some with lake access. The chalets are set in an unspoiled environment, immersed in nature.
Facilities: spa, infinity pool, cocktail bar, restaurant, games room, meetings room, curio shop.
Activities: nature trails, birding, kayaking, snorkelling, seasonal scuba, water-sports, a sunset cruise.
Just a 2-hour drive from Lilongwe, this is a great combination with Zambian Safaris as well as various wildlife parks in Malawi.
Welcome to Malawi! On your arrival at Lilongwe International Airport, you will be met by a Crafted Africa guide who will welcome you. After collecting your luggage, your driver/guide will transfer you to Wines and Wings Guest House situated at a 20-minute walking distance from the Capital City Centre. You will stay here for the night before you cross the border to Zambia.
Located in Area 12 and just minutes, by foot, from The Four Seasons Centre (restaurants, cafes and bars) and a 20-minute walk from the city centre – it is an ideal setting to discover Lilongwe from. The house has 6 staff to help cook, clean and look after you. This home is well furnished and comfortable, with a pool, lovely garden, good social areas, modern kitchen, fast Wi-Fi and DSTV, so if you don’t want to explore Lilongwe you can chill out in comfort!
Next, you head to the famous valley of the leopards, South Luangwa National Park. You will stay at the gorgeous Chikunto Lodge for the next five nights of your tour.
Right on the banks of the Luangwa River, there is abundant wildlife and very few other lodges in the area so you should have all the views to yourself! Enjoy some excellent big cat sightings as well as huge herds of elephants, pods of hippo, plenty of birds and the famous endemic Thornicroft giraffe. Enjoy a luxury safari experience in the untouched wilderness set along the iconic Luangwa River.
Today you will head back to Lilongwe to stay for the night at Wines and Wings Guest House before you proceed to Liwonde National Park for yet another great bush adventure.
As your tour gets more exciting, today you will head to Liwonde. Your driver/guide will transfer you to Mvuu Lodge situated along the Shire River right within Liwonde National Park.
You will spend three nights on the Shire River exploring the conservation success that is in the park on land and the river, from its thriving populations of black rhino and cheetah to the endless bird species. This is the perfect place to experience Malawi’s flourishing wildlife.
After your morning game activity, you will today head your way to the lake, Malawi's crowning jewel, your driver/guide will transfer you to Cape Maclear in Magochi for your scheduled boat transfer to Mumbo Island. You will spend nights of digital detox, situated on a gorgeous island in the middle of the lake and surrounded by turquoise waters is Mumbo Island. Snorkel the crystal-clear lake and experience breath-taking sunset views from Pod Rock.
Mumbo Island is a pristine and deserted tropical island floating on the expansive waters of the Lake Malawi National Park. With a maze of massive underwater boulders, innumerable species of colourful cichlid fish and calm, clear water, the National Park offers what many consider the best freshwater snorkelling and SCUBA diving in the world.
You will wind up your adventure in the Warm Heart of Africa at Nankoma Island, a lonely and private Island situated within lake Malawi at Senga Bay. You will this morning be transferred back to the mainland to meet your driver/guide who will then transfer you to Senga for your boat transfer to Blue Zebra Island Lodge, a beautiful piece of paradise.
During your stay at the island, our trusted doctor will come ashore to conduct your COVID 19 tests, preparing you for your onward travel.
Today you will be transported off the island and back into Lilongwe to collect your results certificate and catch your flight home.
End of your tour!
LILONGWE - Resting on the banks of the Lilongwe River, the sprawling, bustling city of Lilongwe serves as the capital of Malawi. It is the largest city in Malawi and is the economic and transport hub of the country. It features thriving markets, lush green spaces, and rich cultural heritage. While the city has all of the twentieth-century urban developments, it retains the appearance of a traditional African settlement. The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, in the heart of Lilongwe, provides a sanctuary for local wildlife seeking refuge. Other sights worth seeing include the Kumbali Cultural Centre, offering the opportunity to view traditional Malawian dancing and drumming; as well as the nearby Chongoni Rock Art Area featuring over 127 sites displaying ancient rock art.
SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK - Bordering the Luangwa River, the northern and southern Luangwa National Parks contain some of the most breathtaking and untouched wilderness in Africa. As a result of this and the parks’ successful anti-poaching campaigns, the area has developed into a world-renowned wildlife haven. The South Luangwa National Park is renowned for its walking safari, which allows visitors to view elephant, hippo and even lion close-ups under the supervision of professional and knowledgeable armed guides.
LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK - Liwonde National Park is situated at the southern tip of Lake Malombe in southern Malawi. Although Liwonde is one of Malawi’s smaller parks, it is arguably the most popular of all the game parks in the country. Malawi’s main river, the Shire, forms its western boundary and is the reserve’s lifeblood. With plentiful wildlife including hippos, kudu, elephants, crocodiles and elephants and even black rhino, the park had become one of Malawi's premier wildlife-viewing destinations. The birding is excellent and a favourite sighting among birdwatchers is the Pel’s fishing owl. Visitors can look forward to a wide selection of activities including excellent wildlife viewing, canoeing and boating safaris and overnight stays at well-positioned safari camps.
MUMBO ISLAND - Mumbo Island is an ecotourist’s dream. Measuring just one square kilometre across, this remote islet is virtually uninhabited and covered with pristine miombo forests interspersed with ancient figs and baobab trees. It is surrounded by the calm, crystal clear waters of Lake Malawi, where you can swim and snorkel amidst schools of vividly coloured tropical fish. You may also encounter the island’s sole mammal inhabitant - playful and curious Spotted-necked Otters. The only resort on the island is built from sustainable natural materials that blend beautifully into the pristine surroundings.
NANKOMA ISLAND - Nankoma Island is part of the Marelli Archipelago in southern Lake Malawi, where the waters are particularly rich in brightly coloured tropical fish known as cichlids. It is an amazing experience to swim or snorkel with them as they flash by in iridescent shades. There is also rich birdlife on the island, including hornbills, kingfishers, paradise flycatchers and owls, as well as cormorants and fish eagles on the lake shores. You can go kayaking around the island, take a boat trip to neighbouring islands or go on a sundowner cruise.