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.
The super-stylish Latitude 13, originally built as a private house, it's now a sleek design hotel and totally different to anything else on offer in Lilongwe - or Malawi for that matter! From the cutting edge design, to the monochrome interiors and the fabulous facilities (including the bistro-style restaurant, funky bar, and outdoor pool), no detail has been overlooked. And at only 30 minutes drive from the airport and 10 from the markets and shops of Lilongwe's old town, it really is a pretty perfect stopover.
- Main Destination:
- Lilongwe (City)
- Accommodation:
- Latitude 13
- Meals & Drinks:
Majete Wildlife Reserve
Ten years ago, Majete Wildlife Reserve in southern Malawi was eerily void of wildlife. Thanks to the African Parks Network, this is no longer the case – they've reintroduced 2500-plus large mammals, including all of the Big Five. Thawale Lodge, which is operated by Sunbird Safaris, is one of only two lodges in the sanctuary. It offers comfortable accommodation and a variety of ways in which to make the most of your wilderness experience (including no fences, so the wildlife wanders freely). Notably, Thawale also donates all profits to the management and operation of the reserve.
- Main Destination:
- Majete Wildlife Reserve
- Accommodation:
- Mkulumadzi Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Majete Wildlife Reserve
Ten years ago, Majete Wildlife Reserve in southern Malawi was eerily void of wildlife. Thanks to the African Parks Network, this is no longer the case – they've reintroduced 2500-plus large mammals, including all of the Big Five. Thawale Lodge, which is operated by Sunbird Safaris, is one of only two lodges in the sanctuary. It offers comfortable accommodation and a variety of ways in which to make the most of your wilderness experience (including no fences, so the wildlife wanders freely). Notably, Thawale also donates all profits to the management and operation of the reserve.
- Main Destination:
- Majete Wildlife Reserve
- Accommodation:
- Mkulumadzi Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Majete Wildlife Reserve
Ten years ago, Majete Wildlife Reserve in southern Malawi was eerily void of wildlife. Thanks to the African Parks Network, this is no longer the case – they've reintroduced 2500-plus large mammals, including all of the Big Five. Thawale Lodge, which is operated by Sunbird Safaris, is one of only two lodges in the sanctuary. It offers comfortable accommodation and a variety of ways in which to make the most of your wilderness experience (including no fences, so the wildlife wanders freely). Notably, Thawale also donates all profits to the management and operation of the reserve.
- 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
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
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:
Liwonde National Park
For a dose of traditional safari 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.
Mvuu Camp overlooks the magnificent Shire River inside Liwonde National Park. The camp's name means "hippo", which you're bound to see many of along this broad stretch of river and around the camp in the evenings. The camp is a superb option for budget-minded travellers, especially those driving themselves. It offers a well-rounded safari at a relaxed pace.
- Main Destination:
- Liwonde National Park
- Accommodation:
- Mvuu Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Liwonde National Park
For a dose of traditional safari 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.
Mvuu Camp overlooks the magnificent Shire River inside Liwonde National Park. The camp's name means "hippo", which you're bound to see many of along this broad stretch of river and around the camp in the evenings. The camp is a superb option for budget-minded travellers, especially those driving themselves. It offers a well-rounded safari at a relaxed pace.
- Main Destination:
- Liwonde National Park
- Accommodation:
- Mvuu Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Liwonde National Park
For a dose of traditional safari 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.
Mvuu Camp overlooks the magnificent Shire River inside Liwonde National Park. The camp's name means "hippo", which you're bound to see many of along this broad stretch of river and around the camp in the evenings. The camp is a superb option for budget-minded travellers, especially those driving themselves. It offers a well-rounded safari at a relaxed pace.
- Main Destination:
- Liwonde National Park
- Accommodation:
- Mvuu Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Lake Malawi
A small private beach cozied between granite rocks at the bottom of a wall of dense indigenous forest welcomes you to one of Lake Malawi's largest unpopulated islands. Domwe, just a mere 11km, is in the spectacular water wonderland of the Lake Malawi National Park. Hike up to take advantage of the mountains views with a picnic, lounge along the shore or in a hammock or get into the water and explore. With such a pristine part of the world you are hard pressed not to kick off your shoes and give in to the natural beauty in this refreshingly remote retreat.
- Main Destination:
- Likoma Island (Lake Malawi)
- Accommodation:
- Kaya Mawa
- Meals & Drinks:
Lake Malawi
A small private beach cozied between granite rocks at the bottom of a wall of dense indigenous forest welcomes you to one of Lake Malawi's largest unpopulated islands. Domwe, just a mere 11km, is in the spectacular water wonderland of the Lake Malawi National Park. Hike up to take advantage of the mountains views with a picnic, lounge along the shore or in a hammock or get into the water and explore. With such a pristine part of the world you are hard pressed not to kick off your shoes and give in to the natural beauty in this refreshingly remote retreat.
- Main Destination:
- Likoma Island (Lake Malawi)
- Accommodation:
- Kaya Mawa
- Meals & Drinks:
Lake Malawi
A small private beach cozied between granite rocks at the bottom of a wall of dense indigenous forest welcomes you to one of Lake Malawi's largest unpopulated islands. Domwe, just a mere 11km, is in the spectacular water wonderland of the Lake Malawi National Park. Hike up to take advantage of the mountains views with a picnic, lounge along the shore or in a hammock or get into the water and explore. With such a pristine part of the world you are hard pressed not to kick off your shoes and give in to the natural beauty in this refreshingly remote retreat.
- 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 (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks: