Malawi - individual trip
Pristine and diverseDue to the warmth and hospitality of its people, Malawi is often referred to as “the warm heart of Africa. “ The country between Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique awaits you with its originality and diversity. Magnificent landscapes, national parks rich in wildlife, untouched nature and dream beaches on Lake Malawi make the still relatively unknown country a gem of Africa. Away from mass tourism, you can discover the continent’s fascinating wildlife on game drives, bush walks and boat trips and experience a lasting African adventure.
Your journey begins on a charming tea plantation in the hilly south of Malawi. In the Majete and Liwonde National Parks you will experience fantastic safari adventures, and, with a little luck, you will come across the ‘Big Five’. The impressive Lake Malawi, home to countless seabirds, enchants with small fishing villages, picture-perfect beaches and a wide range of water activities.
You will stay in enchanting boutique hotels and comfortable lodges, always attentively and at the same time unobtrusively cared for by the warm-hearted Malawians.
The best time for this trip is from April to October. In April, May and June, after the rainy season, the land is lush and green, and the paths are dry. From July to October the grass is drier and allows for better sightings of the animals. October is the warmest month of the year (good for water activities in Lake Malawi). In the other months, travel is limited.
Travel itinerary
- Greeting at Blantyre Airport
- Transfer to the hotel
- Overnight stay at Huntingdon House*** on the Satemwa Tea Estate
- Time for acclimatization
- Tour through the plantation
- Visit to the production facilities
- Tea or coffee tasting
- Possibility to rent mountain bikes
- Overnight stay at Huntingdon House***
- Drive through the Lower Shire River Valley to Majete Wildlife Reserve
- Free time
- Overnight stay at Mkulumadzi Lodge**** in Majete Wildlife Reserve
- Early morning safari/wildlife observation
- Free time
- Afternoon activity (bush walk, boat trip, or safari)
- Overnight stay at Mkulumadzi Lodge****
- Drive to Zomba
- Scenic hike on the plateau
- Overnight stay at Kefi Boutique Hotel*** in Zomba
- Besuch eines Jugend-Projektes/NGO in Zomba
- Fahrt zum Liwonde Wildlife Reserve
- Freizeit
- Übernachtung im Kuthengo Camp*** im Liwonde Wildlife Reserve
- Morgens/vormittags Wildtierbeobachtung/Safari
- Freizeit
- Nachmittags Wildtierbeobachtung/Safari
- Übernachtung im Kuthengo Camp***
- Morgens/vormittags Wildtierbeobachtung/Safari
- Freizeit
- Nachmittags Wildtierbeobachtung/Safari
- Übernachtung im Kuthengo Camp***
- Fahrt zum Südufer des Malawi-Sees
- Freizeit
- Übernachtung in der Pumulani Lodge**** in Cape Maclear
- Freizeit
- Möglichkeit zur Teilnahme an verschiedenen Aktivitäten
- Übernachtung in der Pumulani Lodge**** in Cape Maclear
- Fahrt in die Region Salima/Senga Bay
- Fährüberfahrt nach Nankoma Island
- Freizeit
- Übernachtung in der Blue Zebra Island Lodge**** auf Nankoma Island
- Freizeit
- Möglichkeit zur Teilnahme an verschiedenen Aktivitäten
- Übernachtung in der Blue Zebra Island Lodge****
- Fährüberfahrt auf das Festland
- Transfer zum Flughafen von Lilongwe
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Lunchbox / Picnic
- Tasting
- Night
Prices (per person)
*Minimum number of participants: 2 guests
°We are happy to provide you with an appropriate flight offer for your trip. For departures from/to Frankfurt or Brussels, we recommend flights with Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa to Blantyre and returning from Lilongwe via Addis Ababa.
Included services:
*2-3 travelers: Toyota Fortuner, 4-8 travelers: Toyota Quantum
**Safaris/excursions with other guests of the lodges if necessary, maximum nine travelers per vehicle, open Land Rovers/Land Cruisers are used for these excursions.
Authentic and sustainable
- Overnight stay at Malawi’s first fair trade estate, the Satemwa Tea Estate, which supports efforts to combat deforestation, operates a primary school for 900 students, runs a sports program for workers and employees, and uses local products for meals.
- Visit a social project aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of orphans, young people, and the elderly.
- Overnight stay at the Blue Zebra Lodge on Nankoma Island, which supports various conservation projects.Evening breeze air conditioning at Blue Zebra and Mkulumadzi Lodge—energy-efficient, quiet, and unobtrusive for guests.
- Opportunities to engage with the local population along the way.
- CO2 compensation (479 kg per traveler) through Atmosfair.
Important information
Information about the national parks
The Majete Wildlife Reserve is located away from mass tourism and has an incredible history of nature conservation. Ten years ago, the animals in the reserve were almost extinct. Today it is home to numerous black rhinos, elephants, buffalo, waterbucks, antelopes and zebras, as well as leopards and lions. Animals have since been relocated from there to other parks in Malawi.
The Zomba Plateau is located within the Shire Highlands, the highest peaks reach over 2000 meters. It is a true paradise for hikers and offers a magnificent view. Steep slopes rise up to the plateau on three sides and turn into wooded hills further down. There you will find cypresses, cedars and pines. Zomba is known for its diverse birdlife and is home to numerous antelope species.
The Liwonde National Park is dominated by the sluggish Shire River and its lush vegetation along the edge. It evokes the romantic image of untamed Africa, especially at night, when the air echoes with the chirping of frogs and the grunting of hippos. Grassland and savannah, forests and marshland alternate. A boat safari on the Shire River is a must to see the wonderful nature from a different perspective. Bush walks with experienced guides and game drives offer unique experiences. The park has the largest elephant population in the country and a large number of hippos, antelopes, leopards, hyenas, lions and more than 400 species of birds.
Lake Malawi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, covers a third of the country and is a highlight of every trip to Malawi. At 560 km long and 80 km wide, it is the third largest inland body of water in Africa and is home to the greatest diversity of fish species of any lake in the world. Small bays with white beaches and the wonderfully clear water quickly make you forget that you are on a lake. If you love nature and want to escape the crowds, this is the perfect place to relax.
Driver Guide / Guide
Your driver, who is also your tour guide, will accompany you throughout the entire trip (from Blantyre airport/to Lilongwe airport). During the safaris that you take from the various lodges, the nature guides employed there are responsible for you and look forward to introducing you to their country and its unique nature and wildlife. Other guests from the respective lodges may take part in these excursions, which take place in open Land Rovers/Land Cruisers (maximum 10 participants).
For Luxembourg and German citizens with a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry, is in good condition and has at least two blank pages; Luxembourg citizens also require an electronic entry permit. There are currently no restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this can change at short notice at any time.
No vaccinations are required (a yellow fever vaccination is only necessary when entering from yellow fever infected areas), but we recommend keeping your standard vaccinations up to date (as of 09/2024). With your travel confirmation you will receive a personalized link with tips and recommendations, and with your travel documents you will receive further information about the country you are traveling to.
Malawi is not yet fully developed for tourism, so not all accommodations have WiFi. However, your guide can help you purchase a local SIM card if you wish. You may also want to ask your provider before departure about the options available for using your mobile device in Malawi. Please note that the hotels and lodges only offer non-smoking rooms.
No insurance is included in the travel price. We strongly recommend taking out travel cancellation insurance that includes Covid-19 as well as appropriate travel health insurance that includes treatment (including quarantine) for Covid-19.
This trip is not suitable for guests with mobility issues. If necessary, please tell us the type of mobility restriction you have before booking and clarify with us whether we can meet your individual needs.
Planet B is a brand of Bollig Tours s.à r.l.. Bollig Tours is therefore named as the organizer in our general travel conditions.
Related document(s)
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