South Malawi - Self-Drive Safari

Welcome to Lilongwe, Malawi - the warm heart of Africa! After your arrival at Lilongwe International Airport, one of our guides will be waiting for you and will provide you with all the necessary information, the car, routes, maps, etc. for the coming days. Then you will head towards Senga Bay. Upon arrival, you will take a boat across to Nankoma Island. You will spend the next two nights at the Blue Zebra Lodge. The lodge offers eight exclusive covered en-suite chalets, each with a view of the lake with its crystal-clear water. The chalets are nestled in untouched nature, surrounded by luxury and wildlife. It is advisable to relax at the infinity pool. For those seeking more activity, you can paddle around the island in a kayak or organize a volleyball tournament. Additionally, the lodge offers free use of snorkeling equipment. How about an extensive snorkeling session to discover the uniquely large and colorful diversity of native fish?

Enjoy your last morning at the Zebra Lodge, as after breakfast you will be moving on. Zomba Forest Lodge (Mid-Range Package): After breakfast, you will take a boat back to the mainland and then continue towards Zomba Plateau. Your accommodation for the next days and nights will be the Zomba Forest Lodge, with its incredible location. It is a very inviting, charming lodge with four rooms, surrounded by a colorful garden just waiting to be explored. Here you can, for instance, bird watch or simply take a leisurely stroll. The Zomba Forest Lodge is perfectly located, as it is just a few minutes away from a riding stable. Sunbird Kuchawe Hotel (High-End Package): After breakfast, you will be taken by boat from Nankoma Island to Senga Bay. Upon arrival on the mainland, you will receive your car and your adventure to the wonderful Zomba Plateau will begin. Once there, your accommodation will be the Sunbird Ku Chawe Hotel. At an altitude of up to 1800 meters, Zomba offers a fantastic setting for a cycling tour, a horseback ride, or simply relax and enjoy a walk through the forest. At this altitude, the plateau and its air often feel more pleasant than in the rest of the country. Additionally, there is a great variety of birds to observe on the Zomba Plateau.

Lujeri Lodge, Mulanje (Mid-Range Package): Today is the day you have to leave the Zomba Plateau. You will head to Mulanje Mountain to catch some fresh air and take some incredible photos. To climb the mountain, you will first drive to the southeast of the country, where your lodge is located at the foot of the mountain. The Lujeri Lodge is built in an old colonial style and is a fantastic place, with nice and friendly staff. After a few hours in the car, you may want to take a short walk to the Blue Lagoon Pool. If not, you can also take the car to get there; but however you get there, it is definitely worth a look. Additionally, there are various hiking trails here that vary in length and difficulty level. Huntingdon House, Satemwa Tea Estates (High-End Package): After breakfast, you will set off towards Blantyre to continue to Satemwa, Thyolo. The Huntingdon House is located in the stunning tea region. Scenically, Thyolo, the heart of Malawian tea production, is possibly the most beautiful region in Malawi, where hilly landscapes merge with lush green plantation landscapes. The Huntingdon House was built in the 1920s and the estate has been owned by the Cathcart Kay family for generations. Some of the family members even still cultivate the tea and coffee fields! The estate is surrounded by beautiful gardens with very old trees. There are also plenty of activities available, such as hiking or cycling. Additionally, you can participate in a tea tasting or simply relax by the pool.

From the incredible tea region and Mulanje Mountain, today after breakfast you will move on towards Liwonde National Park. In the middle of the park lies your accommodation for the next days: the Mvuu Camp. The Mvuu Camp overlooks part of the Shire River, abundant with hippos, crocodiles, and birds of Liwonde National Park. Activities offered include hikes, birdwatching, game drives, stargazing, and much more. Of course, you can also set off and explore the surroundings without a guide; either on foot or by bike.

Enjoy your last day at the Mvuu Lodge. After the morning boat safari, you will prepare for your onward journey. Your next destination is Mumbo Island. First, you will head to the Kayak Africa reception, from where you will be taken by boat to the wonderful Mumbo Island. Here you will spend the next two nights. Mumbo Island is a desert-like tropical island in the waters of Lake Malawi. With amazing underwater landscapes, around 800 different colorful fish species, and calm, clear waters, the national park probably offers the best snorkeling and diving experience in the world. Tours on Mumbo Island are devoid of stress, hurry, and are also tailored to your personal preferences. However, you can also spend your day snorkeling, sunbathing, relaxing by the pool, or exploring the island. At the end of the day, you will know where the best viewpoint is to watch the sunset. And after a delicious dinner, why not sleep in a hammock under the starry sky? Mumbo Island is an unforgettable experience; all in all, a little taste of heaven on earth...

On the thirteenth travel day, after breakfast, of course, it is back to the mainland. You will pick up your car for the onward journey at the Kayak Africa reception. From there you will head to your lodge. Here you will spend your last days before heading back home. Danforth Yachting Lodge (Mid-Range Package): The lodge offers eight en-suite, air-conditioned, tastefully furnished rooms, in cool, neutral colors. All rooms have a spectacular view of the lake. The garden has shaded grass areas leading to the shimmering infinity pool. And just a stone's throw away lies the luxury yacht 'Mufasa' in the harbor waiting for you. Pumulani Lodge (High-End Package): Located on a private beach, the Pumulani Lodge offers an exclusive lodge in the middle of Lake Malawi National Park. The lodge has ten individually designed villas along a slope with lake views. Each villa features a large bedroom, a spacious living room, and a private terrace with lake views. Guests can relax on the sandy beach or unwind by the infinity pool. For those seeking more activity, there are plenty of outdoor activities available, such as water skiing, diving, snorkeling, fishing, or birdwatching.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, today it is time for your journey to end as well. From your lodge, you will drive to Lilongwe International Airport to take your flight home. Upon arriving at the airport, you will find an employee to whom you will return your rental car keys and documents. We hope you enjoyed your trip and we look forward to seeing you again soon in Africa!