Lilongwe
Sprawling, a little chaotic and seemingly never-ending, Malawi’s capital city Lilongwe has a dynamic atmosphere that's a far cry from the laid-back vibe pervading the rest of the country. But then, that’s what a capital city is all about! It’s a city of two halves – the Old Town and the New Town. Dotted around both halves are restaurants of the hidden gem variety, beautiful green oases and a couple of elegant boutique hotels, which make a visit wonderfully worthwhile.
A blissful lodge tucked away on a 650-hectare farm a mere 25 minutes from Lilongwe's International Airport. Accessed via a bumpy dirt road, the Kumbali estate lies between the Capital Hill Dairy Farm and the Nkhoma mountain range. This upmarket country lodge is valued for its privacy, and is just the place to relax and unwind. We appreciated the friendly staff, who do a great job of combining smiling service with discretion (as is the norm in Malawi, a country known for the warmth of its welcome).
- Main Destination:
- Lilongwe (City)
- Accommodation:
- Kumbali Country Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Majete Wildlife Reserve
Back in 2002, Malawi's Majete Wildlife Reserve wasn't in a good way. But, thanks to joint efforts by the government and African Parks, its 7,000 hectares were re-populated with a variety of species, and robust anti poaching policies put in place. Today, it's one of the outstanding success stories of African conservation, and the only park in Malawi where you can see the Big Five. And now there's even a lodge to accommodate the steady trickle of tourists - effortlessly chic Mkulumadzi, located on the edge of the magnificent Shire River and encased in impressive giant leadwood trees. It just keeps getting better and better.
- Main Destination:
- Majete Wildlife Reserve
- Accommodation:
- Mkulumadzi Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Majete Wildlife reserve
Back in 2002, Malawi's Majete Wildlife Reserve wasn't in a good way. But, thanks to joint efforts by the government and African Parks, its 7,000 hectares were re-populated with a variety of species, and robust anti poaching policies put in place. Today, it's one of the outstanding success stories of African conservation, and the only park in Malawi where you can see the Big Five. And now there's even a lodge to accommodate the steady trickle of tourists - effortlessly chic Mkulumadzi, located on the edge of the magnificent Shire River and encased in impressive giant leadwood trees. It just keeps getting better and better.
- Main Destination:
- Majete Wildlife Reserve
- Accommodation:
- Mkulumadzi Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Majete Wildlife Reserve
Back in 2002, Malawi's Majete Wildlife Reserve wasn't in a good way. But, thanks to joint efforts by the government and African Parks, its 7,000 hectares were re-populated with a variety of species, and robust anti poaching policies put in place. Today, it's one of the outstanding success stories of African conservation, and the only park in Malawi where you can see the Big Five. And now there's even a lodge to accommodate the steady trickle of tourists - effortlessly chic Mkulumadzi, located on the edge of the magnificent Shire River and encased in impressive giant leadwood trees. It just keeps getting better and better.
- Main Destination:
- Majete Wildlife Reserve
- Accommodation:
- Mkulumadzi Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Mulanje & the Highlands
Imagine a sea of rolling tea fields dotted with pretty colonial houses, and pristine lowland forests watched over by towering mountains wrapped in wispy clouds. The glimmering mountains are the Mulanje Massif, proclaimed a forest reserve in 1927, and home to exceptional walking, cycling, climbing, trekking and horse-riding trails. If that all sounds a bit strenuous, then the beautiful tea plantations provide the perfect antidote.
In the early '20s, a young Scotsman called Maclean Kay bought his first piece of land in Malawi. And it was here, in the temperate Shire Highlands in the country's south, that he planted his first tea plantation, and called it Satemwa. In 1936 he built Huntingdon House for his family, and the original home has now been turned into a beautiful boutique guesthouse. Surrounded by emerald lawns, elegant trees and lily-filled ponds (and hectares of tea), the house is tranquil and relaxed – the perfect setting in which to appreciate this stunning corner of Malawi.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Mulanje
- Accommodation:
- Huntingdon House
- Meals & Drinks:
Mulanje & The Highlands
In the early '20s, a young Scotsman called Maclean Kay bought his first piece of land in Malawi. And it was here, in the temperate Shire Highlands in the country's south, that he planted his first tea plantation, and called it Satemwa. In 1936 he built Huntingdon House for his family, and the original home has now been turned into a beautiful boutique guesthouse. Surrounded by emerald lawns, elegant trees and lily-filled ponds (and hectares of tea), the house is tranquil and relaxed – the perfect setting in which to appreciate the colonial magic of this stunning corner of Malawi.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Mulanje
- Accommodation:
- Huntingdon House
- Meals & Drinks:
Mulanje & the Highlands
In the early '20s, a young Scotsman called Maclean Kay bought his first piece of land in Malawi. And it was here, in the temperate Shire Highlands in the country's south, that he planted his first tea plantation, and called it Satemwa. In 1936 he built Huntingdon House for his family, and the original home has now been turned into a beautiful boutique guesthouse. Surrounded by emerald lawns, elegant trees and lily-filled ponds (and hectares of tea), the house is tranquil and relaxed – the perfect setting in which to appreciate the colonial magic of this stunning corner of Malawi.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Mulanje
- Accommodation:
- Huntingdon House
- Meals & Drinks:
Liwonde National Park
For a dose of traditional safari in the "Land of the Lake", make a beeline for Malawi’s most famous wildlife area, Liwonde National Park. An eccentric mix of classic Zambia (think stout sausage trees, palms and baobobs) and a little bit of southern Tanzania (swampy lagoons and pretty reed-beds), the park is not a tick-off-the-Big-Five sort of place. Instead, you’ll find yawning hippo and snoozing crocs on the banks of the Shire River, and sable, oribi, zebra and kudu roaming the plains. Leopard and lion make up the predator quota and excitingly there’s an excellent number of elephant, and even black rhino. Liwonde is a birding paradise.
This new camp in southern Malawi's Liwonde National Park has just four modern, eco-friendly tents that shelter beneath fever trees and baobabs on a large open plain that reaches towards the Shire (pronounced "Shiree") River. The tents are just perfect, with en-suite bathrooms and private decks that open to lush views.
- Main Destination:
- Liwonde National Park
- Accommodation:
- Kuthengo Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Liwonde National Park
For a dose of traditional safari in the "Land of the Lake", make a beeline for Malawi’s most famous wildlife area, Liwonde National Park. An eccentric mix of classic Zambia (think stout sausage trees, palms and baobobs) and a little bit of southern Tanzania (swampy lagoons and pretty reed-beds), the park is not a tick-off-the-Big-Five sort of place. Instead, you’ll find yawning hippo and snoozing crocs on the banks of the Shire River, and sable, oribi, zebra and kudu roaming the plains. Leopard and lion make up the predator quota and excitingly there’s an excellent number of elephant, and even black rhino. Liwonde is a birding paradise.
This new camp in southern Malawi's Liwonde National Park has just four modern, eco-friendly tents that shelter beneath fever trees and baobabs on a large open plain that reaches towards the Shire (pronounced "Shiree") River. The tents are just perfect, with en-suite bathrooms and private decks that open to lush views.
- Main Destination:
- Liwonde National Park
- Accommodation:
- Kuthengo Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Liwonde National Park
For a dose of traditional safari in the "Land of the Lake", make a beeline for Malawi’s most famous wildlife area, Liwonde National Park. An eccentric mix of classic Zambia (think stout sausage trees, palms and baobobs) and a little bit of southern Tanzania (swampy lagoons and pretty reed-beds), the park is not a tick-off-the-Big-Five sort of place. Instead, you’ll find yawning hippo and snoozing crocs on the banks of the Shire River, and sable, oribi, zebra and kudu roaming the plains. Leopard and lion make up the predator quota and excitingly there’s an excellent number of elephant, and even black rhino. Liwonde is a birding paradise.
This new camp in southern Malawi's Liwonde National Park has just four modern, eco-friendly tents that shelter beneath fever trees and baobabs on a large open plain that reaches towards the Shire (pronounced "Shiree") River. The tents are just perfect, with en-suite bathrooms and private decks that open to lush views.
- Main Destination:
- Liwonde National Park
- Accommodation:
- Kuthengo Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Lake Malawi
From the moment you fly onto Likoma Island in your tiny, five-seater Cessna, you’ll be entranced by the laidback rhythm of island life. And then you’ll reach Kaya Mawa, tucked away on a cotton-candy beach overlooking the lake, and life just gets better and better. One of those fabulous lodges that has effortlessly-relaxed, beach-chic style down to a T, Kaya is truly a slice of heaven. Think immaculately decorated rooms built into the granite rocks, chilled-out water activities, and gourmet food, all mixed with incredible views and even better cocktails. In the local Nyanja language, Kaya Mawa actually means ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ – and relaxation is most certainly the order of the day here.
- Main Destination:
- Likoma Island (Lake Malawi)
- Accommodation:
- Kaya Mawa
- Meals & Drinks:
Lake Malawi
From the moment you fly onto Likoma Island in your tiny, five-seater Cessna, you’ll be entranced by the laidback rhythm of island life. And then you’ll reach Kaya Mawa, tucked away on a cotton-candy beach overlooking the lake, and life just gets better and better. One of those fabulous lodges that has effortlessly-relaxed, beach-chic style down to a T, Kaya is truly a slice of heaven. Think immaculately decorated rooms built into the granite rocks, chilled-out water activities, and gourmet food, all mixed with incredible views and even better cocktails. In the local Nyanja language, Kaya Mawa actually means ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ – and relaxation is most certainly the order of the day here.
- Main Destination:
- Likoma Island (Lake Malawi)
- Accommodation:
- Kaya Mawa
- Meals & Drinks:
Lake Malawi
From the moment you fly onto Likoma Island in your tiny, five-seater Cessna, you’ll be entranced by the laidback rhythm of island life. And then you’ll reach Kaya Mawa, tucked away on a cotton-candy beach overlooking the lake, and life just gets better and better. One of those fabulous lodges that has effortlessly-relaxed, beach-chic style down to a T, Kaya is truly a slice of heaven. Think immaculately decorated rooms built into the granite rocks, chilled-out water activities, and gourmet food, all mixed with incredible views and even better cocktails. In the local Nyanja language, Kaya Mawa actually means ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ – and relaxation is most certainly the order of the day here.
- Main Destination:
- Likoma Island (Lake Malawi)
- Accommodation:
- Kaya Mawa
- Meals & Drinks:
Travel Back to Lilongwe
On your final day you will travel back to Lilongwe International Airport to complete your trip.
- Main Destination:
- Lilongwe International Airport (Lilongwe)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks: