Highlights of Southern Malawi

Day 1: Blantyre to Majete 
Day 2: Majete 
Day 3: Majete to Thyolo 
Day 4: Thyolo to Mulanje, Hiking: 4mi. (7km)
Day 5: Mulanje, Hiking, 9 mi. (14 km)
Day 6: Mulanje to Zomba, Hiking, 4 mi. (7 km)
Day 7: Zomba to Liwonde
Day 8: Liwonde
Day 9: Liwonde to Cape Maclear
Day 10: Cape Maclear
Day 11: Cape Maclear
Day 12: Cape Maclear to Lilongwe 

Day 1: Blantyre to Majete 
Welcome to Malawi aka ‘The warm heart of Africa’! On arrival in Blantyre, your guide will meet you and transfer you to Majete Wildlife Reserve (approx. 2 hours). Malawi’s first Big 5 game park, Majete is a stunning wilderness area flourishing with over 12,000 African mammals including elephants, black rhinoceros, and lions, and more than 300 species of birds. Previously ravished by poaching, this reserve is a symbol of what can happen when conservation and tourism come together, resulting in a thriving natural area that boasts fantastic game viewing. Overlooking the Shire River, your lodge is the perfect setting to unwind before your afternoon game activity. A choice of guided safari activities includes 4WD game drives, walking safaris, and boat safaris. (B, L, D)

Category A: Mkulumadzi. The lodge offers eight superb chalets, each with spacious living quarters and a private viewing deck. There is also a swimming pool at the main lodge area.
Included activities: One guided safari in the late afternoon
Category B: Thawale Tented Lodge. Offering six double- and twin-tented chalets, all en-suite and each with its own private veranda overlooking the waterhole. 
Included activities: One guided safari in the afternoon. Extra activities are available (extra cost).

Day 2: Majete Wildlife Reserve 
Get your wildlife fix on your choice of game activities today. Your guides will explore the reserve in search of wildlife such as the elusive leopard, a herd of buffalo, or endemic birds in the area. Whatever your interests may be, your guides will do their best to show you the best. A boat safari (in season) will get you up close to crocodiles, birds, and hippos from the advantage of the water. You can also spend time relaxing back at the lodge overlooking the river, where game frequently comes to visit. A choice of guided safari activities includes 4WD game drives, walking safaris, and boat safaris. (B, L, D)

Category A: Mkulumadzi
Included activities: Two guided safaris per day in the morning and late afternoon
Category B: Thawale Tented Lodge
Included activities: One guided safari per full day. Extra activities are available (extra cost).

Day 3: Majete to Thyolo 
Say goodbye to the African bush for a short while as you make your way to the tea plantations of Thyolo (pronounced “Cho’lo”) in the Shire Highlands of southern Malawi. With its rolling green plains of tea estates, Thyolo borders Mount Mulanje in the east and is the epitome of tranquility. Take the opportunity to learn about tea on a tea tasting tour of Satemwa Tea Estate or take a guided bird tour on one of the many walking or bike trails in the area. Tea is Malawi’s second-largest export. Some of its historical tea and coffee estates date back as far as the early 1900s. (B, L, D)

Category A: Huntingdon House. A charming colonial house with a wrap-around verandah situated on Satemwa Tea Estate with five individually decorated suites.
Included activities: Unguided walking and hiking trails, birding, mountain biking, tea tasting. Guides on request (extra cost).
Category B: Game Haven. This family-owned lodge has a variety of 25 rooms with a communal dining area, bar, and lounge.
Included activities: Access to Lake Bvumbwe, guided game walks, one guided game drive per stay, unguided mountain biking and birding.

Day 4: Thyolo to Mulanje, Hiking: 4 mi. (7km)
From Thyolo you will have had majestic views of Mount Mulanje. Now it is time to get up close and personal with this magnificent mountain on your two-night hiking trip. You will meet up with your hiking guide at 08h00 hrs. After a detailed briefing and equipment check, you will start climbing the fairly shaded trail that follows the Likhubula valley to the top of Chambe plateau via Chapaluka path. Hiking time is roughly 4 hours. You will arrive at your overnight hut in the early afternoon. Lunch will be served en-route. (B, L, D)

Category A: Mount Mulanje hiking (Chambe) hut: A very basic hiking hut that can accommodate up to 16 people in two large rooms (one with cooking fireplace) and an outdoor covered veranda. Drinking water is piped to a nearby tap and there are two pit latrine toilets.
Included activities: Guided hiking 
Category B: Mount Mulanje hiking (Chambe) hut
Included activities: Guided hiking 

Day 5: Mulanje Mountain, Hiking, 9 mi. (14 km)
After an early breakfast in the morning, you will proceed via an undulating trail to Luchenya hut, with lunch en-route. Depending on your fitness level you might reach Sapitwa - the highest peak of the mountain - today. Dubbed the ‘Island in the Sky’ it has an imposing rock face, exposed on misty days when Mount Mulanje’s base is shrouded in a haze, creating the effect of a floating island. Your exhilarating hike today will take you past mountain streams, waterfalls, and pristine wilderness, with a chance of spotting small mammals and birds along the way. (B, L, D)

Category A: Mount Mulanje hiking (Chambe) hut
Included activities: Guided hiking 
Category B: Mount Mulanje hiking (Chambe) hut
Included activities: Guided hiking 

Day 6: Mulanje to Zomba, Hiking, 4 mi. (7 km)
You will descend to the pickup point at Tinyade via Likulezi path to Likhubula House, where your debriefing will be done. You will then transfer to Zomba for a night. With stunning views and a tropical feel - created by the gardens and wild vegetation - you will have time to relax and unwind after your two days of hiking. The perfect place to rejuvenate. The city of Zomba formerly served as the colonial capital of the country. It is known for its Colonial architecture and its location on the southern slopes of the scenic Zomba Plateau. Zomba is great for bird watching and forest walks. (B, L, D)

Category A: Sunbird Ku Chawe Resort. Malawi’s premier mountain resort overlooking the Zomba Plateau providing ensuite rooms, a bar, a restaurant, and Wi-Fi.
Category B: Zomba Forest Lodge. A cosy, intimate guest house with 4 ensuite rooms nestled in 20 acres of beautiful mixed woodland and secret gardens.

Day 7: Zomba to Liwonde
Your tour gets even more exciting today as you make your way to Liwonde National Park. Situated on the southern tip of Lake Malombe in southern Malawi, it is arguably the most popular game park for spotting the big 5. Malawi’s main river, the Shire, forms its western boundary and is the reserve’s lifeblood. With plentiful wildlife including hippos, kudu, elephants, crocodiles, and even black rhino, the park had become one of Malawi's premier wildlife-viewing destinations. The birding is excellent and a favorite sighting among birdwatchers is the Pel’s fishing owl. Visitors can look forward to a wide selection of activities on offer including excellent wildlife viewing, canoeing and boating safaris, and overnight stays at well-positioned safari camps. (B, L, D)

Category A: Kuthengo. Modern safari tents located on the banks of the Shire River, which are all en-suite, each with a bathtub and an outdoor shower.
Included activities: Two daily game activities (boat safari/game drive)
Category B: Mvuu Camp. The camp, comprising 14 units with a thatched dining and lounge area.
Included activities: Two daily game activities (boat safari/game drive)

Day 8: Liwonde
Spend a full day exploring Liwonde National Park for African game and birds on morning and afternoon game activities. A boat safari on the Shire River provides the perfect vantage point to view and of course photograph hippo and crocodile and water birds such as fish eagles, weavers, and kingfishers. You will also stop for sundowners on your afternoon game activity to take in one of Liwonde’s spectacular sunsets. Your lodge will welcome you back with deliciously prepared meals and ice-cold drinks. (B, L, D)

Category A: Kuthengo
Included activities: Two daily game activities (boat safari/game drive)
Category B: Mvuu Camp
Included activities: Two daily game activities (boat safari/game drive)

Day 9: Liwonde to Cape Maclear
After your final round of game viewing in Liwonde, you say goodbye and head for Lake Malawi for some downtime on the shores of Cape Maclear. Located on the southern shore of the Lake, with its golden sand, Cape Maclear’s relaxed atmosphere is the perfect spot for fantastic water sports like snorkeling, kayaking, and even scuba diving. Home to Lake Malawi National Park, Cape Maclear is the first freshwater national park in the world. There are some enjoyable hiking trails around the national park you can do either with a local guide or by yourself. The hikes aren’t particularly challenging but be sure to take plenty of water. (B, L, D)

Category A: Pumulani. Situated on the south end of Lake Malawi, the lodge has ten villas, a pool, bar, and restaurant.
Included activities: Non-motorised water sports eg. Snorkeling, kayaking
Category B: Mumbo Island Camp. Located in Lake Malawi National Park, the camp comprises five units perched on rocks high above the water each with bucket showers, ‘eco-loos’, and a wooden deck. There is a dining area, bar, and watersport gazebo.
Included activities: Non-motorised water sports eg. Snorkeling, kayaking

Day 10: Cape Maclear
You can decide what you would like to do today. If you feel like relaxing back at camp, suntan on the shores of Lake Malawi, or head out on a water activity - the choice is yours. 

The protected waters of Lake Malawi National Park bring kayaking within reach of anyone, irrespective of fitness or experience. The two-person kayaks are large and stable, and the guides (available on request) are local residents with an intimate knowledge of the area. Guests with a sense of adventure have the option of kayaking out to Mumbo Island from reception on the beach at Cape Maclear. Lake Malawi supports over two thousand species of freshwater fish – a greater variety than any other lake on Earth. Snorkeling through the island's calm, warm, and crystal-clear waters, where the colorful Cichlid fish, coupled with the massive granite boulders that make up much of the underwater terrain, make for a truly remarkable and unusual snorkeling experience. The island’s only mammals - the Spotted-necked Otter - are remarkably tame and sometimes join guests for a swim or snorkel! All equipment is provided. Motorized sports are also available at an extra cost like skiing and tube rides. (B, L, D)

Category A: Pumulani
Included activities: Hiking and non-motorized water sports eg. Snorkeling, kayaking
Category B: Mumbo Island Camp 
Included activities: Hiking and non-motorized water sports eg. Snorkeling, kayaking

Day 11: Cape Maclear
Again, you will decide how you want to spend your day. In addition to snorkeling and kayaking as described above, you may want to try out scuba diving. Experience an underwater world of giant granite boulders and hundreds of multi-colored freshwater tropical fish! Lake Malawi is a great place to Scuba dive, ideally suited to beginners or those who prefer relaxed diving with no dangers. Mumbo is a PADI registered resort, offering beginner, advanced, and specialty courses, as well as gear hire and casual dives. At additional cost (includes equipment hire).

Five different nature trails weave their way through the massive granite boulders that constitute the island. The island is heavily wooded, hosting baobab trees (Adansonia digitata) and several species of Ficus, Sterculia, Khaya, Albizia, and Brachystegia. A map is provided in every tent and extras are available at the bar. There are no poisonous snakes or dangerous animals on Mumbo, so you can walk anywhere with confidence and are rewarded with magnificent views. Our guide will take a guided walk every morning at 9:30 on request. (B, L, D)

Category A: Pumulani
Included activities: Non-motorized water sports eg. Snorkeling, kayaking
Category B: Mumbo Island Camp 
Included activities: Non-motorized water sports eg. Snorkeling, kayaking

Day 12: Cape Maclear to Lilongwe 
Your tour ends after breakfast with a drop-off at Lilongwe International Airport for your onward travel arrangements.

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Category A: Luxury accommodations, except in Mulanje which is a basic mountain hut.
Category B: Comfortable mid-range accommodations, except in Mulanje which is a basic mountain hut.

You will require your own sleeping bag for night 4, 5, and 6 (Mulanje hiking hut).

Please keep in mind that you will not have access to wifi.