An elongated country with high mountains, fascinating national parks and a cooling lake. The species richness of animals makes each safari exciting with leopards, elephants, many species of antelopes, Burchells Zebra unique to the area, hippos, waterbucks, crocodiles and a wide variety of bird species. Along the lake there are long sandy beaches, fishing villages, fantastic cycling and hiking trails. The lake’s crystal clear waters invite to snorkeling, diving, kayaking, sailing and fishing. The world’s largest aquarium. Short for MWI by abbreviationfinder, Malawi is a country located in eastern Africa defined by countryaah.
Malawi – 19 days
Day 1 Departure to Malawi by plane
Day 2 Arrival Lilongwe
You arrive in Malawi’s capital Lilongwe at lunch. Upon arrival, you will be met for assistance with passport and customs formalities before transfer to your hotel located in one of Lilongwe’s quiet suburbs. Lilongwe is the capital of Malawi and is the administrative capital of the district of the same name. The city was founded as a small village on the Lilongwe River and became a British colonial center in the early 20th century. Thanks to its position along the main road from the countryside to neighboring Zambia, Lilongwe grew and became Malawi’s second largest city. On January 1, 1975, the capital was officially moved from Zomba to Lilongwe.
Hotel: Heuglins Lodge, Lilongwe (dinner)
Day 3 Lilongwe – Viphya Mountains (4 – 5 hours)
After breakfast you continue north from Lilongwe on good roads through an area where life in the villages is lived as it always has been. You have the opportunity to make stops along the way for leg stretchers and photography. Where the Viphy Mountains meet the lake, you drive along one of Malawi’s most beautiful roads with mountains on one side and Lake Malawi on the other.
Lodge: Luwawa Forest Lodge, Viphya Mountains (noon)
Day 4 Viphya Mountains – Nyika National Park (6 – 7 hours)
You eat a hearty fruit cheese before continuing your journey north along the spectacular country road from Lake Malawi and inland, past farms with orchards and banana plantations to the colorful market in the city of Mzuzu. From here, the road climbs higher and higher through less and less inhabited areas, through beautiful deciduous forest and rolling grasslands to Nyika National Park, located on a high plateau in the northern part of the country. In time for afternoon tea, you will arrive at your Lodge in Nyika National Park.
Lodge: Chelinda Camp, Nyika National Park (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 5 – 6 Nyika National Park
For two full days you follow your guides in the national park to experience animals and bird life. In Nyika National Park, in addition to leopards, there are lots of different species of antelope, about 40 elephants and one species of Burchell’s zebra, which is endemic to the area.
Lodge: Chelinda Camp, Nyika National Park (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 7 Nyika National Park – Nkhata Bay (6 hours)
After breakfast, return south to the shores of Lake Malawi. This is Africa’s third largest lake and stretches over 500 kilometers from north to south and is home to over 2000 different species of fish, most endemic to Malawi. Palm-adorned beaches and high mountains surround the crystal clear bodies of water and beautiful fishing villages are scattered along the beaches untouched by the ravages of time.
Hotels: Chinteche Inn, Lake Malawi (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 8 – 10 Nkhata Bay
The northern beaches are the most lush region in the country with tropical rainforest and the Viphy Mountains as a dramatic backdrop. This is the location of the Cintheche Inn. Just south of Nkhata Bay in lush surroundings, the hotel is located on a wide pristine sandy beach. The ten double rooms with ceiling fans face the beach and are tastefully decorated with locally made furniture and crafts. In the common areas is a bar, dining room, lounge and pool for the days when the waves go a little higher on the lake.
Hotels: Chinteche Inn, Lake Malawi (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 11 Nkhata Bay – Livonde National Park (6 – 7 hours)
You eat a hearty breakfast before you start the long drive south along the shores of Lake Malawi. It is Africa’s third largest lake and stretches over 500 kilometers from north to south and is home to over 2000 different fish species, most endemic to Malawi. Palm-adorned beaches and high mountains surround the crystal clear water and beautiful fishing villages are scattered along the beaches, untouched by the ravages of time.
In time for afternoon tea, you will arrive at your lodge in Livonde National Park. Mvuu Lodge is located along the banks of the River Shire in Liwonde National Park. Mvuu offers accommodation in large safari tents. There are eight tents with private bathrooms and verandas overlooking the river for the best chances to see the rich wildlife. The lodge has a communal restaurant, pub, lounge and pool. Activities on offer include boat trips, safaris in open 4 × 4 Landrovers, hiking and bird watching.
Lodge: Mvuu Camp, Livonde National Park (breakfast, dinner)
Day 12 – 14 Livonde National Park
For three full days you follow your guides in the national park to experience the animal and bird life. This is fantastic terrain for elephant, hippopotamus and crocodile during the dry months. Kudu, saber antelope, impala, water buffalo and warthog are seen especially at night along with serval, civet, mongoose and genets. The baboon, bushbuck, oribi, leopard and lion appear from time to time and the bird life is very rich all year round. Black hippopotamus has been reintroduced from Kruger Park in South Africa, alongside zebra, Liechtenstein’s hartebeest and buffalo from other parts of Malawi.
Lodge: Mvuu Camp, Livonde National Park (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 15 Livonde National Park – Mumbo Island (4 – 5 hours)
After breakfast you drive north towards Cape Maclear and take the boat over to Mumbo Island. Mumbo Island is a tropical island located in Lake Malawi National Park near the southern end of the lake, 10 kilometers northwest of Cape Maclear, where the nearest road connection ends. There are 7 tents, of which 5 with double beds and a family tent with room for 4 guests. In total, 14 guests can stay here at the same time. Each tent is erected on timber decks or high cliffs under thatched roofs and is equipped with toilet and shower. The toilet is environmentally friendly dry compost and the showers consist of buckets with wood-fired hot water. Each tent has a mosquito net. From the hammock on the porch outside the tent you have a fantastic view of the lake. There is no electricity on the island.
The kitchen is powered by LPG and the lighting consists of storm lanterns. All water is purified, even if it is hardly needed.
Camp: Mumbo Island Camp, Lake Malawi National Park (breakfast, dinner)
Day 16 – 17 Mumbo Island
Freedom and quality time out in the fresh air is what a stay on Mumbo Island is all about. The only fixed times are for the meals, otherwise you have to do exactly what you want. High on the list of recommended activities is a morning dip and swim before breakfast. The word refreshing takes on a whole new meaning. And ending the day with kayaking at sunset is not far behind on the scale. The invigorating breakfast contains fruit salad, homemade muesli, freshly baked bread, eggs & bacon and is a good start to the day. Lunch and dinner are a rich mix of salads, fresh fish, chicken, vegetables, stews, curries and pasta.
Camp: Mumbo Island Camp, Lake Malawi National Park (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 18 – 19 Mumbo Island – Lilongwe / Homecoming
After early breakfast you return by boat to Cape Maclear and continue back to Lilongwe where you say goodbye to your guide and begin your journey home to Sweden.
