DAY 1
D included
After meeting at Blantyre airport in the afternoon, we have a short road transfer (half an hour) south to Thyolo mountain where we stay in stylish suites in a grand colonial house on Malawi’s oldest tea estate. Surrounded by manicured lawns and garden terraces, the house has a delightful setting – the perfect place for a Malawi gin and tonic before dinner.
DAY 2
B, L, D included
We walk on the Thyolo mountain trails, seeing giant tree ferns, cycads and proteas, vervet monkeys and many bird species in the remnant rain forest and enjoying spectacular views stretching to the 3,000 m Mount Mulanje (subject of Laurens van der Post’s book ‘Venture to the Interior’) on the far side of the Rift Valley. After lunch we have the option of touring the tea estate, with a tea tasting, or relaxing in the gardens.
DAY 3
B, L, D included
A morning drive to the southern end of Lake Malawi is of great cultural interest, especially once we are on dirt tracks which link the small villages. Everywhere people are walking, carrying water, or goods to the market, and everywhere we have a smiling welcome - Malawi’s reputation as the ‘warm heart of Africa’ is absolutely deserved. Our destination for the next 3 nights, reached by boat, is a luxury safari lodge sited on a lagoon just off the Shire river in the heart of Liwonde National Park.
DAYS 4 & 5
B, L, D included
The game viewing, especially in the dry season, is excellent and we spend 2 days thoroughly investigating the area, taking boat rides on the Shire river (particularly good for close views of elephants – Liwonde has famously large herds - hippos and crocodiles), and day and night game drives by open 4WD. Bird watching is very rewarding with specialities including Bőhm’s bee eater, Pel’s fishing owl, Livingstone’s flycatcher and palmnut vulture. A particular highlight is the opportunity to track animals on foot, accompanied by an armed ranger and an expert tracker/guide – the mixed habitat of Borassus palms, candelabra trees, mopane and baobabs harbours rarer species such as sable and roan antelope, black rhino and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest. We have an opportunity to visit a local school; there is a small natural rock swimming pool; an excellent library; and each luxury 'tent' has a private raised viewing platform over the lagoon.
DAY 6
B, L, D included
A morning’s drive northwest is punctuated by photo and bird watching stops. On arrival at our luxury lodge (Malawi’s Leading Hotel 2012), beautifully situated above Lake Malawi, we have plenty of time to relax and take a swim from the private white sand beach or in the infinity pool before a gourmet dinner under the stars – in fact, when Livingstone first set eyes on the lake in 1859, he dubbed it ‘the lake of stars’.
DAYS 7 & 8
B, L, D included
Two days to enjoy the bewitchingly beautiful lake – snorkelling or scuba diving (Lake Malawi contains more endemic species of fish than any other lake in the world, most of them brilliantly colourful); kayaking; waterskiing; fishing; a walk to the nearby village or a birdwatching walk through the hills; enjoying the panoramic views from each suite’s private deck – and a sunset sail on the lodge’s traditional wooden dhow.
DAY 9
B, L, D included
After a final swim in the lake and ‘breakfast with a view’ we have a morning’s road transfer (3 hours) to Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital and then a private charter flight over the border into southern Zambia. We clear customs formalities at Mfuwe airstrip, are met by our guides and transfer in 4WDs (an hour) to our exclusive lodge set on private land on the banks of the Luangwa river. Once settled in, we head out on a game drive, hoping for the major predators (lion, leopard and African wild dog) and endemic species such as the Thornicroft giraffe. With 9,050 sq. km of diverse habitats, including huge ox bow lagoons, woodlands, ebony groves, grassland and thickets, the South Luangwa National Park hosts truly impressive numbers of wildlife. The birdlife is also excellent with around 450 species to be seen, including magnificent Martial Eagles and colonies of vivid Carmine Bee-eaters.
DAYS 10 & 11
B, L, D included
Walking safaris, led by a professional safari guide and escorted by an armed National Park scout, are a speciality of the South Luangwa and bring fascinating insights into the natural environment – the most exciting way to spend each morning. After lunch the quiet part of the day is spent reading, taking a siesta, swimming in the pool or watching game at the waterhole. We also have the opportunity to visit the nearby Kawaza village and meet the local Kunda people, plus buy some unique tribal textiles and reed baskets from a local project. Afternoon tea and cake prepares us for a game drive by open 4WD, sundowners out in the bush and then a night drive in search of nocturnal species such as thick-tailed bush baby, white-tailed mongoose, aardvark, large spotted genet and the leopards for which South Luangwa is famous. The days conclude with a complimentary drink from the spectacular bar, built round a huge ebony tree, and a gourmet dinner served by candlelight.
DAY 12
B included
After a final early morning walk or game drive we transfer to Mfuwe airstrip and fly to Lusaka to connect with flights home or optionally continue on an extension to Victoria Falls.