Experience the very best of warm-hearted Malawi on this 9-day safari and beach adventure that begins in the dense floodplains of Liwonde National Park and ends on the waters of Lake Malawi.
Arrive in Blantyre and transfer to Mvuu Camp on the lush palm-fringed banks of the Shire River in Malawi's premier Liwonde National Park for four days of superb game viewing. Be thrilled by early morning cruises through waters teeming with crocodiles and hippos, walk with a guide through mopane woodlands, and savour sundowners on a mirror-still lagoon.
Then fly north from Lilongwe to tiny Likoma Island in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Malawi and switch off and relax at beautiful Kaya Mawa, which is tucked away at the southern tip of the island. Soak up the sun on the lake's beach and choose from a range of water activities, from sailing and kayaking to windsurfing to water-skiing.
Upon arrival at Chileka International Airport in Blantyre, you will be met by your representative and transferred to Mvuu Camp in Liwonde National Park. The journey takes approximately three hours by road, followed during the wet season by an exciting 30-minute boat transfer.
Situated on the banks of the Shire River, Mvuu Camp—named after the Chichewa word for "hippo"—offers spacious stone-and-canvas chalets with beautiful river views. After settling in and freshening up, relax on your private verandah while watching hippos and crocodiles along the river. In the evening, enjoy dinner in the camp's thatched dining area beneath towering baobab trees as you prepare for the adventures ahead.
After breakfast, embark on a morning boat safari along the Shire River. Watch crocodiles basking on the riverbanks, hippos wallowing in the water, and a variety of birdlife including African fish eagles, malachite kingfishers, African open-bill storks, squacco herons, and blue-cheeked bee-eaters. Vervet monkeys can often be seen playing in the riverside trees.
In the afternoon, choose from a game drive, guided nature walk, or another boat excursion. Keep an eye out for elephants, sable antelope, and other wildlife gathering along the water's edge. Return to camp for dinner under the stars in the traditional boma or beside the river.
Today, enjoy a game drive through Liwonde National Park's Rhino Sanctuary and surrounding mopane woodlands. This area offers excellent opportunities to spot the rare black rhino, along with herds of buffalo, hartebeest, elephants, and other plains game.
Spend the afternoon at leisure back at camp. Relax by the natural rock swimming pool, unwind with a book on your private verandah, or simply admire the tranquil riverside scenery. As the sun sets, enjoy a refreshing sundowner while watching animals come to the river to drink before another memorable dinner in the wilderness.
Make the most of your final full day with a choice of morning and afternoon safari activities, including boat cruises, game drives, or guided bush walks with experienced scouts. Liwonde National Park's diverse habitats provide excellent opportunities to encounter elephants, hippos, crocodiles, antelope, and its exceptional birdlife.
As evening falls, savour your final dinner beneath the African sky, accompanied by the calls of Pel's fishing owls and the sight of bat hawks gliding over the Shire River—an unforgettable conclusion to your stay at Mvuu Camp.
After an early breakfast, transfer to Lilongwe's Kamuzu International Airport for your one-hour flight to Likoma Island on the sparkling waters of Lake Malawi. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to Kaya Mawa, a scenic 10-minute drive from the airstrip.
Perched on a granite headland overlooking a crescent-shaped beach, Kaya Mawa—meaning "maybe tomorrow" in the local Chinyanja language—is a secluded lakeside retreat built by hand using local stone, mahogany and teak in partnership with the local community. Settle into your private stone-and-thatch cottage, relax on your deck overlooking the lake, and soak up the tranquil surroundings of ancient baobabs and mango trees. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at the lodge's multi-level restaurant before spending the afternoon unwinding by the beach or pool. End the day with sundowners and a candlelit dinner beneath the stars.
Wake up to the peaceful beauty of Lake Malawi and spend the day enjoying the lodge's wide range of water-based activities. Swim in the crystal-clear waters, go kayaking, sailing, windsurfing or water-skiing, or simply relax on the golden sandy beach.-Optional
Lake Malawi is one of the world's deepest lakes and is renowned for its remarkable diversity of colourful African cichlids, making it an exceptional destination for snorkelling and exploring its underwater world. Return to the lodge in the evening for another spectacular sunset over the lake and a relaxed dinner by the water.
Today, explore the cultural and natural beauty of Likoma Island. Cycle along quiet island trails, enjoy an exhilarating quad-bike excursion, or take a leisurely 45-minute walk through traditional fishing villages to the bustling market in Mbamba.
Watch local life unfold as Mozambican dhows arrive along the shoreline to trade, then visit the remarkable St Peter's Cathedral, a century-old landmark famed for its impressive size, beautiful stained-glass windows and carved soapstone features. Return to Kaya Mawa to relax before enjoying sundowners and dinner overlooking the tranquil waters of Lake Malawi.
Spend your final full day on Likoma Island entirely at your own pace. Relax beside the infinity pool with a good book, stroll along the beach, enjoy another water activity, or simply take in the breathtaking scenery from your private deck.
As the sun sets over Lake Malawi, savour one last evening at Kaya Mawa with drinks overlooking the lake, followed by a memorable candlelit dinner on the beach or on the deck, bringing your island escape to a perfect close
After breakfast and a final farewell swim, transfer back to Likoma airstrip for your connecting flight to Lilongwe’s Kamuzu International Airport for your onward journey home, Malawi having snuck itself into your heart.
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