From the unique highlands of the Nyika Plateau to the peaceful tranquility of Lake Malawi and from the cultural and historical highlights of the one-time capital at Zomba to the prolific wildlife of Mvuu, this Exploration displays the essence of the “friendly heart of Africa.”  Along with these outstanding attractions, this experience is enhanced by local guides with tremendous local knowledge.  An exceptional aspect of a Malawi safari is the “journey between” – along the road, guests gain an authentic insight into the land: the friendly people, superb scenery, and there is always something of interest to stop off and see.

This adventure provides a unique perspective of the Great African Rift Valley - an incredible blend of different experiences, including Malawian culture, scenic and historical aspects of the country.  Experience a diverse mixture of scenery and landscapes: mountain plateaus, Lake Malawi, rolling grasslands and lush forests.  Activities include boat trips, game drives, hiking, snorkeling, bicycle trips to local villages, horse riding, kayaking, wildlife viewing and introductions to community projects.  Varied accommodation types are utilized such as log cabins in spectacular settings.

The essence of this trip is flexibility and variety-travelling with an experienced guide in a comfortable vehicle and with plenty of snacks and water on board, each travel day can be as long or as direct as we choose.

Malawi is a country where there are endless possibilities to stop in a village, shop in the local market, meet the people , and visit places of historical interest.  While there are some long days on the road, the travelling gives the trip an added dimension. Each evening your guide will sit with you and discuss the options for the next day.

About Malawi
There is no country in all of Africa that has its geography so sculptured and determined by Africa’s Great Rift Valley, the 5000-kilometre long geological formation that bisects much of Africa from Egypt to Botswana.

Towering mountains, lush, fertile valley floors and enormous crystal-clear lakes are the hallmark of much of the Rift Valley and this is what Malawi is all about. It is a little-known gem of a country in the heart of central southern Africa that offers a true African experience .

Malawi is a long and narrow landlocked country, covering more than 1000 km from north to south. Lake Malawi, nearly 600 km long and up to 80 km wide, dominates the countryside. The Rift Valley, the largest single geographical feature on Earth, is an ancient geological formation with fertile soils and evidence of this is to be found everywhere in Malawi. Throw a seed to the ground and a plant grows there. When David Livingstone arrived at the lakeshore in 1861, he was the first European explorer to see the Lake, and so awestruck that he started missions here.

Malawi’s scenery is diverse and the habitats are varied. At its lowest point, the country is only about 35m above sea level; its highest point, Mount Mulanje, is 140 km away and over 3000m above sea level.

Safari Style:  Discoverer

DAY 1; (1 Night)
LUWAWA FOREST LODGE, Viphya Mountains

The drive
Arrive Lilongwe and meet your vehicle and guide. Today we drive approximately 4 hours north. The drive today is initially through the country’s central plateau. Set at an average height of about 1000 metres, this is a flat fertile plain with occasional large granite outcrops. There are many small holder farms and small villages.

Our drive takes us through the Kasungu area. After Kasungu Town the landscape changes from Brachystegia (Miombo) woodland to rolling open hills as we steadily climb in altitude. 

Luwawa Forest Lodge
Arrive in time for lunch at Luwawa Forest Lodge, a delightful lodge situated on a clearing in one of the largest forested areas in central Africa at 1300m above sea level. The accommodation is simple but comfortable with large en-suite rooms and a comfortable central lounge and dining area.  The scenery is spectacular and the air crisp and clear.

Afternoon walking along streams within the forest gives us opportunities looking for one of southern Africa’s rarest and most sought-after birds, the African Broadbill. For the more adventurous, mountain biking can be arranged. Dinner is served at the lodge around a warm, comforting log fire. There is good walking and birding in the area as well as boating, fishing and kayaking on the nearby lake.

DAYS 2 - 3; (2 Nights)
LAKE KAZUNI SAFARI CAMP, Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve

The drive
We drive through the forests back to the main road and head north towards the regional capital city of Mzuzu, passing through the dramatic landscape of the northern Viphya, which has some spectacular granite inselbergs and wonderful views down to the lower lying plains to the west.

Just before the town of Rumphi we can see the steep walls of the Nyika Plateau and as we near the Zambian border, the altitude dips somewhat.  We stop for lunch in the Njakwa Gorge on the banks of the Rukuru  River - a great spot for our keen birders to look for black eagles. 

Continuing north, the road now turns to dirt and can be bumpy and dusty for the last 20 kms into camp.  We would expect to arrive in the early afternoon, settle into the camp and then go out for either a game drive or an evening walk.

Lake Kazuni Safari Camp and Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve
Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve is one of Malawi’s best-kept secrets. It lies on a wide plain to the southwest of the Nyika Plateau and boasts a mosaic of landscapes and biomes covering roughly 1000 sqkm. Highlights are the varied types of biomes, from Brachystegia and mopane woodland to large rivers which feed the Kazuni Swamp. During the dry season there are large herds of elephant and buffalo, impala, kudu, puku and warthog. Hippos are always present in the lake, and lion and leopard are occasionally seen.

Birding, particularly at the end of the dry season and during the early rains, is exceptional with many waterfowl species that are not easily seen elsewhere on this safari. Activities include game drives (day) as well as walks.

Our accommodation at Lake Kazuni is set on the edge of a broad floodplain where the Rukuru River flows out of Lake Kazuni.  The camp has 5 simple en-suite chalets, all positioned with wonderful views out towards the lake. There is an open-air central dining area close to the chalets.

Day 3
The activities available at Vwaza Marsh include walks and drives in the reserve and visits to some of the villages in the area.  As we get further into the dry season - from july to October - we often find that it is wise to allocate some time simply for relaxing at your chalet to take advantage of the abundance of game now congregating at the lake’s edge as other sources of water in the reserve dry up.

DAYS 4 - 6; (3 Nights)
CHELINDA LODGE, Nyika National Park

The drive
Today’s drive takes us north-east on one of the most dramatic drives in central Africa. Upon leaving the reserve we take a little gem of a small rural road which weaves through picturesque villages carved out of the bush for about 35 kms before joining the main road north to the Nyika.

Leaving the dry and low-lying Vwaza marsh behind we move steadily up in altitude to where the Brachystegia gives way to heath and, at around lunchtime, to true rolling grasslands. For most of this drive we are climbing slowly but steadily and should reach the gates of the park about 2 hours after leaving Vwaza.

Nyika is a huge wild area and it is important to note that from the gate it is a full 60 kms to the lodge and although you will pass through some stunning scenery, you usually only begin to see game nearer to the lodge as we climb out of the forests and onto the spectacular open grasslands of the high Nyika.

We have reached the famed Nyika Plateau and check in to the warm, cozy Chelinda Lodge. This lodge is situated in the middle of the high grasslands (around 2100m above sea level) and experiences a pleasantly cool climate (jumpers and jackets a must!).

Chelinda Lodge and Nyika National  Park
Nyika National Park is scenically Malawi’s most spectacular wild area. It boasts an incredible mixture of scenery and landscapes – pristine brachystegia woodland, mature montane forest patches, crystal clear running streams and miles and miles of open rolling grassland.  Being situated at a mean height of over 2,000 metres guarantees a permanently temperate climate, which is of particular contrast to the lakeshore areas of Malawi.

Nyika is Malawi’s largest national park. Game drives are successful, with highland game abounding – it is possible to see mixed herds of over 200 eland, Burchell's zebra, Common reedbuck, eland, bushbuck, warthog, hyena, side-striped jackal, serval, and Roan antelope. Leopards are also fairly common, and peculiarly diurnal because of the cool climate. Elephants are also sometimes encountered and blue monkeys can also be seen

Birding is exceptional with over 400 species recorded. Walking in the afro-montane forest remnants is a must, where specials such as Fülleborn's black Boubou, and Bar-tailed Trogon. Other specials include Churring and Mountain cisticolas, Red-tufted malachite sunbird, Mountain nightjar and several species of Bulbul which occur deep in the canopy of the forests.

During the early summer months Nyika boasts one of Africa’s best orchid viewing opportunities. Horse riding, trout fishing and overnight camping in the remote corners of this extraordinary reserve are also available (at extra cost).

Chelinda Lodge is situated on the edge of Chelinda Forest and has 8 superb log cabins, each with a lounge and fireplace and connected by wooden walkways to a large central lounge and dining area with sweeping views over the grasslands of the high Nyika.  The climate is always cool due to the altitude and night time temperatures can be chilly.  With its panoramic views over the rolling grasslands of the Plateau, Chelinda Lodge has one of the most magnificent settings in Africa.

Days 5 and 6
As the climate is always cool and the game drive loops are long, we may choose to spend one whole day on an extended drive out to one of the dramatic viewpoints at the plateau’s edge. There are also excellent walking possibilities with walks of anything from an hour to a day and even for the hardy the opportunity to swim in some of the world’s cleanest (but coldest) mountain streams.

Days can be spent walking, game driving, mountain biking or just relaxing at camp.

DAYS 7 - 8; (2 Nights)
CHINTHECHE INN, northern shores of Lake Malawi             Jump to Chintheche Inn

The drive
We now move back down the Nyika Plateau. The destination for the next three days is clearly in sight, but nearly 1700m below – it is the shimmering blue of Lake Malawi. The road descends steeply and, as this is one of Malawi’s highest rainfall areas, it always looks lush and green.

Descending the massif, we stop over at the northern region’s capital, Mzuzu. We may decide to visit Nkhata Bay, which is only a short drive off our route.  The town has an idyllic setting surrounded by steep hills and with two semi-circular bays, plus vibrant markets and curio stalls.  Between Nkhata Bay and Chintheche we pass through a rubber plantation and then through two remnant patches of rain forests.

Chintheche Inn
We arrive at Chinteche Inn, situated on a private, pristine white sandy beach with the Viphya Mountains and rainforest as backdrop. The inn is spectacularly situated in one of the Lake’s best and most tranquil settings and has simple, comfortable en-suite rooms.

We have chosen the two lakeshore stops on this itinerary with the following logic:  While both are in wonderful settings, Chintheche is surrounded by busy fishing villages and a relatively large local population.  The second stop, Kayak Africa, operates in a totally untouched wilderness, away from any human disturbance.  Kayak Africa offers  the wilderness experience and Chintheche the cultural one.

During your time at Chintheche there are a number of activity options. You can take a guided walk to a local fishing community to see the catch coming in, perhaps take a mountain bike into the villages behind the inn, go swimming, canoeing and snorkeling, or visit the nearby Bandawe Mission, which was started in the late 19th century by the Scots.

For the more adventurous, nearby scuba diving is also on offer (at extra cost).

Day 8
There is so much to do at Chintheche that we can easily be busy all day; however, we have a long drive tomorrow and one of the options will be a morning activity followed by a relaxing afternoon on the beach.

DAYS 9 - 10; (2 Nights)
KAYAK AFRICA, Cape Maclear Peninsula, Lake Malawi

The drive
This is the longest drive of the trip and we can either choose to go more or less non-stop for a comfortable arrival at Kayak Africa or go for a very early start to allow us to stop and enjoy some interesting stops en route.

Continuing south along the lakeshore, the early part of the journey takes us through some beautiful areas where the Viphya Mountains fringe the lake.  The town of Nkhotakota, on the central lakeshore, is an old Arab slaving town where slaves collected in the area were shipped across the lake in Arab sailing dhows and then walked to the Indian Ocean coast from where the survivors were shipped to the slave market in Zanzibar.

Further south we pass Mua Mission and if time allows we will stop for a visit.  This Catholic Mission, started in the 1900’s, is home to Malawi’s finest woodcarvers and also has a unique museum dedicated to the culture and history of the local Angoni people.

On arrival at Cape Maclear and the Kayak Africa base camp we will either board a boat for the 45-minute journey to our island camp or, if time and fitness permit, there is also the option to kayak into camp.

Kayak Africa and the Cape Maclear Peninsula
The Cape Maclear peninsula is an exquisite rocky promontory full of towering forest-clad hills.  The peninsula was named by Dr. David Livingstone after Sir Thomas Maclear who, in the 1840’s, taught Livingstone the rudiments of map making. The early Scottish Missionaries chose it as one of their earliest stations, owing to the safe shelter from the often stormy lake.

Cape Maclear is today a proclaimed protected area called Lake Malawi National Park and is the first national park in the world set aside for the preservation of freshwater fish. The lake is home to over 2,000 species of brightly coloured, mostly algae-feeding fish from the cichlid family. Many are endemic to the lake and species are still being discovered and catalogued. These fish are extremely popular in the tropical fish hobbyist trade for their lovely colors and interesting behavior.  The areas around the Kayak Africa Camps are among the best spots on the whole lake for viewing these fish, most of whom live near the surface and can easily be spotted by snorkeling.

The 2 Kayak Africa camps (we might choose either one) are on Domwe and Mumbo Islands (off Cape Maclear). They are totally isolated form the mainland, only accessible by boat, and both islands have no other developments whatsoever on them. Each camp offers five spacious tents with incredible views overlooking the lake and each has a balcony and hammock. As all rubbish and waste is carried off the island, the tents are not en-suite, but there are “eco loos” and bucket showers.

Located at the tip of the Cape Maclear Peninsula this company operates kayak safaris around the glorious islands of this part of the lake. Guests paddle themselves in state-of-the-art sea-going klepper kayaks, supported by a motorised wooden fishing boat. All kayaking is done on a leisurely basis and cold drinks are taken on board the kayaks.

These island wilderness camps are the ideal base from which to explore and enjoy this outdoor paradise.  There is a choice of kayaking, scuba diving, swimming, snorkeling, nature trails, bird-watching and fishing. The kayaks are very stable and require no previous experience.

This is a great experience, enjoying a little more action than the traditional beach holiday.

Please note that if you are keen to Scuba dive, then this is available but at extra cost. If you already have a diving certification, then you need to bring this with you as proof.  Kayak Africa also offers dive courses for anyone wishing to learn.  Please let us know if you are interested and we will forward all costs.

Day 10
Today can be as active or as relaxed as you choose, with ample opportunity for both exploring on foot or by kayak, plus swimming, snorkeling or just relaxing in your hammock.

DAY 11; (1 Night)
KU CHAWE INN, Zomba Plateau

The drive
Today’s is not a long drive but it is packed with interest and because tomorrow is only a very short drive to Mvuu Lodge, we will see what time we arrive at the Inn and what activities and options we have not covered and will do these tomorrow.  Our first stop will be at the town of Mangochi on the Shire River to visit the market and a number of improbable historical monuments (the gun which won the first naval battle of the First World war is here!) and will then head south for Zomba.

Ku Chawe Inn and Zomba
Zomba is located 80 kms south of Mvuu Lodge and was the original capital city of the old British Central African Protectorate. Its development is entirely due to the temperate climate on the nearby Zomba Mountain, a massive granite massif which dominates the western edge of the town. The mountain was settled by the British in the late 19th century as a respite from the heat of the low-lying plains, in a similar fashion to the hill stations of India.

Our trip around Zomba will take in both the mountain and the town and, depending on our time of arrival in the town, we will probably do a town tour before driving up to the mountain and then a mountain tour tomorrow morning.  In town there are many turn of the 20th century colonial buildings and a trip around the market offers wonderful photographic opportunities, this being one of the busiest and most colorful markets in all of Malawi. Witch doctors, tin smiths and second hand clothes stalls are literally wedged in between the piles of freshly picked fruit and vegetables.  

After leaving town we head up to the top of Zomba Mountain on a spectacular mountain road to the Ku Chawe Inn, which boasts one of the most dramatic settings in Africa.  The Inn is perched 2000 metres up on a steep edge of the Mountain, with spectacular views.  The Inn is a short distance away from clear-running streams and a trout farm.

The hotel offers spacious en-suite rooms with cozy fireplaces. Being so high, the weather is pleasantly cool in the hot months and can be chilly at night during the winter.

DAYS 12 - 14; (3 Nights)
MVUU WILDERNESS LODGE, Liwonde National Park            Jump to Mvuu Wilderness Lodge

We will likely do a mountain tour in the morning. Zomba Mountain offers spectacular scenery, forests of both plantation pine and indigenous woodland, clear running streams, and excellent walking and bird watching. Depending on the weather, we will visit Chingwe's Hole, a wonderful viewpoint on the western edge of the mountain.

We then retrace our steps to the north, climb back down onto the floor of the Rift Valley, and drive on to Mvuu Lodge.

Liwonde National Park
Liwonde National Park is considered to be the finest in Malawi and one of the best birding locations in Africa. It is also Malawi’s premier wildlife viewing destination.  Liwonde offers some of the most scenic landscapes, beautiful riverine surroundings, and varied game viewing in the region.  A great deal of the terrain is Shire River floodplains, much loved by the healthy population of elephants in this park. 

An astonishing diversity of birdlife occurs in the reserve. On a three-night stay in this reserve, the record has been 300 bird species! The center stage of the reserve is the Shire River, the only river that flows out of Lake Malawi. A myriad of species make the river their focus and it is on this river where one is able to take part in unusual, but hugely productive game viewing.  Birlife along the Shire River, where the African Fish Eagle and the Pel’s Fishing Owl are frequently sighted, includes Böhm’s Bee-eater, White Backed Night Heron, and a host of local "specials".  Bird specials further inland include Brown-breasted Barbet and Livingstone’s Flycatcher.

Mvuu boasts “game boats” constructed locally out of Mulanje cedar wood. These comfortable boats enable game to be viewed in the heat of the day, when animals emerge out of the bush to drink at the river’s edge. They also allow for exciting night boat trips to find rarely seen animals such as civet, large spotted genet, large grey mongoose, White-backed Night-heron and Pel’s Fishing Owl. Game drives and walks as well as visits to a hide overlooking the river are also offered.

Large mammals occurring in Liwonde include Sable antelope, Roan antelope, kudu impala, waterbuck, large herds of elephant, buffalo, and large numbers of crocodile (reputedly the largest in central Africa) and hippo. Serval cats are also fairly common

Mvuu Wilderness Lodge
Mvuu Wilderness Lodge is situated along the banks of a quiet lagoon flowing off the Shire River. The lodge offers comfortable tented accommodation in five spacious, ‘Hemingway’-styled, safari tents with en-suite facilities for a maximum of 10 guests. The dining room, which is high above the lagoon on stilts, is a breezy and relaxing place to spent time in between activities. There is a pool, which is especially welcome during the summer months, set amongst shady trees within earshot of hippos in the river.

Days 13 and 14
With three nights at Mvuu Lodge, we will have plenty of time to explore all the options on offer and will craft a daily routine to suit everyone’s interests.

DAY 15
Cross country to Lilongwe and flight out

The drive
We will need to get to the airport in good time and should allow 5 hours for the drive today.

This is likely to be an early start day with limited time to stop en route. There is however, and as always in Malawi, some magnificent scenery to be enjoyed as we slowly climb up onto the western spine of the great African Rift and enjoy huge views to Lake Malawi to the east and over into Mozambique to the west.  In fact, for 70 kms, the road is the actual border between the two countries.