Zambia and Malawi tailor made safaris
| country: | Zambia, Malawi |
| departures: | Available all year. This suggested itinerary can be modified entirely to your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used and how long you spend in each destination |
| price: | From £4500 (15 days) including flights from the UK |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
There is fabulous variety in this itinerary, which offers a chance to see one of the world's natural wonders, experience a top class safari and relax in a beautiful lakeside setting. You begin in Livingstone, full of colonial history and home to the majestic Victoria Falls. The Falls are worth visiting a number of times in their own right, with numerous other attractions to be enjoyed in the area. You can try white water rafting, helicopter or microlight flights over the Falls, sunset Zambezi cruises and cultural visits to local villages.
Next you fly up to the South Luangwa National Park, one of Africa's most renowned safari destinations. There is a phenomenal array of game, with sightings of elephant, hippo, giraffe, zebra, hyena and lion all virtually guaranteed. It is a fantastic place for leopard spotting due to the relatively abundant population and the fact that night drives are permitted. Wild dogs are a rare sighting anywhere in Africa, but there is a healthy community in the South Luangwa so you may get lucky. Walking safaris were pioneered here in the 1950s and are still a particular speciality. All of the camps in the national park are small and intimate, meaning you will never have to share game viewing opportunities with a long line of other vehicles.
After a stunning light aircraft transfer across the border, you make your way to Lake Malawi. There are various places you can stay on the lake, the best of which are at Cape Maclear or Likoma Island. Wherever you choose, Africa's third largest lake is perfect for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and intense relaxation. Malawi is still untouched by mass tourism, helping it to retain a laid back charm which is accentuated by the wonderful people, who are often labelled Africa's warmest.
Next you fly up to the South Luangwa National Park, one of Africa's most renowned safari destinations. There is a phenomenal array of game, with sightings of elephant, hippo, giraffe, zebra, hyena and lion all virtually guaranteed. It is a fantastic place for leopard spotting due to the relatively abundant population and the fact that night drives are permitted. Wild dogs are a rare sighting anywhere in Africa, but there is a healthy community in the South Luangwa so you may get lucky. Walking safaris were pioneered here in the 1950s and are still a particular speciality. All of the camps in the national park are small and intimate, meaning you will never have to share game viewing opportunities with a long line of other vehicles.
After a stunning light aircraft transfer across the border, you make your way to Lake Malawi. There are various places you can stay on the lake, the best of which are at Cape Maclear or Likoma Island. Wherever you choose, Africa's third largest lake is perfect for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and intense relaxation. Malawi is still untouched by mass tourism, helping it to retain a laid back charm which is accentuated by the wonderful people, who are often labelled Africa's warmest.
best time to go
You can visit all of these destinations throughout the year, although peak safari time in Zambia is from mid-May to the end of October. November to April is known as the "Green Season" in Zambia, when many of the bushcamps close and the national parks become more inaccessible. Despite this, there are still some wonderful safari experiences to be had during the wetter months, when the environment is more verdant and picturesque, the game much more healthy and content, and many young animals are born. day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Fly overnight from London to Johannesburg. |
| Day 2: | Livingstone. Arrive in Johannesburg and board a connecting flight to Livingstone. At the airport you will be greeted and driven a short distance to your lodge or hotel. After spending the afternoon relaxing, you might want to go on a romantic sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. |
| Day 3: | Victoria Falls. A day that can be dedicated to exploring the magnificent Victoria Falls, either as part of a guided tour or under your own steam. There are so many different perspectives from which to enjoy the Falls, so in the afternoon you may choose to view them from the air in an exciting helicopter or microlight flight. |
| Day 4: | Mfuwe. The day begins with two short light aircraft flights to Mfuwe, gateway to the South Luangwa National Park. You will be able to relax on arrival before your first late afternoon / evening game drive. |
| Day 5: | The South Luangwa boasts a massive variety of game, and during your stay you can expect to see lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, hippo, hyena and antelope. |
| Day 6: | Game viewing activities. Today you will participate in two game viewing activities, the first of which will begin early in the morning when the game is active before the heat of the afternoon. For your evening drive, you will stop for sundowners in the bush before moving on to search for leopard, which are commonly sighted in the South Luangwa. |
| Day 7: | Game viewing activities. In the morning you will either take a game drive or walk to one of the South Luangwa's fantastic bushcamps. Here you will get as close to nature as possible, spending two nights in a remote area of the national park, often with just a sheet of canvas between yourself and the wildlife outside. Falling asleep to the sound of hippo, elephant and lion right outside your tent or chalet is an unforgettable experience. |
| Day 8: | Walking safaris. It is from the bushcamps of the South Luangwa that the famous walking safaris really come into their own. With each camp boasting wonderful guides, you will learn so much about bush life, noticing many of the smaller things that are not possible to observe from a game vehicle. At some point you are also likely to get up close and personal with elephant, lion, buffalo, zebra or giraffe, a truly exhilarating experience. |
| Day 9: | Lake Malawi. The day begins with your final game drive, before you are taken to the airport for a breathtaking one hour light aircraft transfer to Lilongwe, captial of Malawi. From here you will be transferred by light aircraft or car to a secluded accommodation on the shores of Lake Malawi, for five nights of uninterrupted relaxation. |
| Day 10: | Relax at Lake Malawi. It is easy to forget that you are not at the ocean when you stay at Lake Malawi. The lake is vast, calm and beautiful, with an array of cichlid (small fish) and some excellent spots for diving and snorkelling. There are also some lovely beaches for swimming and sun bathing, the perfect way to unwind after all the early morning starts on safari! |
| Day 11: | Explore Malawi. Malawi was a key area on the route of the colonial pioneers such as Stanley and Livingstone. This influence is reflected in a number of incongruous colonial sights, such as the awesome St Peter's Cathedral on Likoma Island and the charming Mua Mission, near Cape Maclear. |
| Day 12: | Visit local schools/projects. A number of the lodges on Lake Malawi are closely involved in community work and will be able to arrange for you to visit local schools and development projects. |
| Day 13: | Last full day in Malawi. For the last full day of your trip you will probably want to do as little as possible, enjoying the wonderful tranquility of the area with perhaps a few swimming breaks. But if you are feeling active, there are some picturesque island walks you can try, and the kayaking on Lake Malawi is extremely good. |
| Day 14: | Depart. After a relaxing morning you will be driven to Lilongwe for a transfer to Johannesburg, where you will catch on overnight flight to Heathrow. |
| Day 15: | Arrive back in the UK.. |
tailor made holidays
This trip can be tailor made to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more individual trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments, with the flexibility to plan a trip at your own pace. Quality and value are the hallmark of these trips, with most services being provided on a private basis.how this holiday makes a difference
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Environment:
Livingstone - The Mosi Ao Tunya National Park is the smallest in Zambia but there is a good concentration of game, including a conservation project for some of Zambia's last remaining black rhino. South Luangwa - One of the lodges has recently instigated a carbon offsetting scheme, where a tree is planted for any guests who stay with them through us. In addition, each of the operators conduct extensive work in wildlife conservation and anti-poaching schemes. Lake Malawi - On the southern lakeshore, where many excellent lodges are based, Cape Maclear has been made a national park to protect all aquatic life in the area. Community: Livingstone - Many lodges in the area have either helped to establish schools or are actively involved in supporting them, both financially and in areas such as construction and teaching. Lodge staff are almost entirely drawn from the local community, from guides and masseurs to chefs and housekeepers. South Luangwa - All of the safari operators in the South Luangwa have a long history of local conservation and community work. Since as far back as the 1950s, local residents have been trained as guides and many of them are now amongst the finest anywhere in Africa. Each safari operator runs a joint project with a different local school, so anything you can take with you, such as stationary and clothes, will be gratefully welcomed. Lake Malawi - All of the Lake Malawi accommodations we use employ local staff in a variety of roles, and some are closely involved in community projects such as schools and missions. |
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