Malawi wildlife & beach holiday
| country: | Malawi |
| departures: | This trip can be arranged at any time and can be tailored to fit your own unique requirements, interests and budget. |
| price: | From £2445 (10 days) excluding flights. Price includes accommodation on full board basis, safari activities, park fees and internal transfers by charter plane. We can arrange flights from the UK |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
You will visit the low-lying area of Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve. Most of the reserve is flat and covered with Mopane and Miombo woodland, but the eastern side is hilly. The reserve is rich in wetlands with the Vwaza Marsh itself in the North and Lake Kazuni in the South, providing a haven for animals and birdlife. In remarkable contrast to Vwaza, the next port of call is Nyika Plateau. "It was so unlike anything else. It was deep in the heart of Africa, filled with the animals of Africa, and yet it was covered with the grasses the flowers and colours of Europe." So described Laurens van der Post of the 2,607 metre high Nyika Plateau, where the rolling montane grasslands stretch as far as the eye can see, broken only by the occasional patch of evergreen forest, whilst the lower slopes are hidden by extensive miombo woodlands.
You will finish on Likoma Island in the Mozambique waters of Lake Malawi. The flight is an amazing experience in its own right, as you never really ascent – it merely takes off from Nyika Plateau at 18,000 ft and slowly descends towards the shores of Lake Malawi. Likoma Island is small and sparsely populated, inhabited by the local fishing community - enchanting with many winding trails and pristine beaches.
You will finish on Likoma Island in the Mozambique waters of Lake Malawi. The flight is an amazing experience in its own right, as you never really ascent – it merely takes off from Nyika Plateau at 18,000 ft and slowly descends towards the shores of Lake Malawi. Likoma Island is small and sparsely populated, inhabited by the local fishing community - enchanting with many winding trails and pristine beaches.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrival at Lilongwe International airport and internal scheduled flight to Mzuzu and a short hop on a private charter to Kazuni Safari Camp, Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve. Kazuni Safari Camp has 4 twin-bedded rondavels, made entirely of poles and grass with en-suite facilities. The views from the camp are fantastic with groups of elephants, impalas and kudus visiting the camp on a regular basis. Overnight Kazuni Safari Camp (full board basis and bar). |
| Day 2: | All day for game drives, walking safaris and/or night drives all led by a professional safari guide. Commonly encountered are elephant, hippo, buffalo, kudu, impala, bushbuck, warthog, baboon, grey duiker, puku and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest. You can also see roan antelope, eland, zebra, reedbuck, sable antelope and klipspringer. The predators are not in high numbers, but lion, leopard, spotted hyena and wild dog are present. The Reserve’s bird-life is excellent. Owls are a specialty of the camp with the possibility of giant eagle owl, barred owl, pearl spotted owl and scops owl being sighted in one evening. Overnight Kazuni Safari Camp (full board basis & bar). |
| Day 3-5: | On day 3, transfer by private charter to Nyika National Park. In Nyika you will check into Chelinda Lodge, built entirely of timber, logs and stone in a traditional log cabin style 2 floors with an open plan bedroom, lounge, en-suite bathroom (shower & bath) and comfy chairs in front of an open log fire. The main building has a large dining room, a comfortable lounge, a reception area and curio shop and a breathtaking view.Besides walking safaris, game drives and mountain biking, the big skies, open country and vast panoramas combined make Nyika the most perfect riding country. Follow Elephant trails down secluded steep sided valleys, trot with the herds of Eland, Roan, and Zebra, canter the edge of 500 m high escarpments and gallop across the rolling hills of the plateau. Nyika is suitable for riders of all levels of ability. Overnight horse safaris are also available. Overnight Chelinda Lodge (full board basis & bar). |
| Day 6-9: | Transferred by private charter to Likoma Island, where you will check into Kaya Mawa Lodge (maybe tomorrow). This eco-friendly lodge was built entirely by hand and in partnership with the local community. It is situated on a rocky peninsula with 8 cottages tucked discreetly away, all with stunning views over the lake. There is a honeymoon Island, which can be reached by its own boat, and is totally private, hidden from view from the rest of the lodge by a giant pod mahogany tree growing from its mount. Chipyela, the over 100 years old cathedral, is located on the island and is one of the largest buildings in Malawi (available for weddings!). It was built on the site where the first missionaries witnessed witches being burnt at the stake. Hence the name Chipyela - "The Place of Burning". Likoma Island is widely regarded as having the best scuba-diving in Lake Malawi. With no tides, no currents, pleasant all-year temperatures and freshwater, it is the ideal place to learn.Overnight Kaya Mawa Lodge (full board basis) |
| Day 10: | You will be flown back to Lilongwe on time for your international flight back home. |
travellers' tales
The entire holiday was a wonderful experience. A major part of the experience was the Malawian people, who remain wonderfully happy and positive despite some terrible poverty. (more)
don't leave it too late!
Please note that due to the nature of tailor-made trips to Sub-Saharan Africa we need at least 14 days between time of booking and departure. This time is essential for you to sort out passport, visa and health requirements and for us to make all the necessary holiday arrangements.how this holiday makes a difference
 All companies used in this itinerary are all involved in a range of different community projects. For example, Kaya Mawa Lodge recently launched Sponsor an Island Child project, enabling children from Likoma Island to attend primary school, which they otherwise won't be able to afford. For only £2.50/month for 5 years a child can be sponsored through primary school.The accommodation is all run by small companies, who train & employ local people into the tourist industry not only as cleaners, cooks & waiters, but also as lodge managers and wildlife & mountain guides. All hotels buy all their fresh produce from local suppliers. A strong effort is being made to be as environmentally sensitive as possible by recycling of many waste products, the use of solar energy and sometimes even wind. In Chelinda Lodge exotic pine from the forest plantations is used as fire wood. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |