Zambia & Malawi small group safari
Description of Zambia & Malawi small group safari
An exciting safari experience exploring the diversity of the lesser travelled South Eastern African countries. This tour is not for the fainthearted, and requires some patience; the travelling can be slow, some nights the accommodation is basic, however the journey offers amazing scenery and fantastic highlights, well worth the long travel days. We recommend malaria prophylactics. A safari for travellers with a sense of adventure.
DEPARTS: LUSAKA on Saturday at 16:00pm, ENDS: Lilongwe on Monday at 08:00am.
Highlights
* Lower Zambezi–canoeing
* South Luangwa NP–game walk & 4WD game drives
*Mulanje Massif–tea plantations, hiking
*Liwonde–boat cruise& game drive
*Lake Malawi–snorkelling & island beaches
Overnight- 13 nights on safari we stay at chalets, tented lodges and guest houses, with en suite facilities. On Mumbo Island, 2 of the tented rooms share a bathroom – rooms will be allocated by guides. 3 nights camping – for 1 night we “camp wild” without fences in the wilderness on an island in the Zambezi and 2 nights in a formal campsite in Liwonde. (Sunway will provide tents, mats and chairs, but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag). Meals -16 breakfasts, 15 lunches & 8 dinners are included. Of which, 13 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners are provided by the lodges. The remaining included meals are prepared by the Sunway crew at the vehicle & enjoyed around the campfire. . Transport - Due to the sometimes-demanding road conditions you travel in a Safari truck with 12 seats. Potholes, speed bumps (!) & rain-damaged gravel roads are characteristic of the areas we travel through and can make driving slow and bouncy. However, we pass through roadside villages and thus have the opportunity to witness the local lifestyle. For the game drives in South Luangwa we use open-sided 4WD vehicles with local guides. Limited participation - An essential part of your safari is some participation. From carrying your own bag to cleaning your window and packing the truck in the morning–it’s all part of your adventure. For the longer days if everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Where the tour leaders provide meals we ask that clients help (on rotation) with washing up.
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Reviews
1 Reviews of Zambia & Malawi small group safari
Reviewed on 30 Jul 2019 by Birgitt Edmeades
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Bush walk in South Luanga National Park.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Reasonable level of fitness needed for kayaking on the Zambezi and hiking in Mulanje.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
To a certain extent; food shopping solely at Shoprite - did not support locals
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very enjoyable holiday: saw lots of animals, diverse range of activities, beautiful landscapes, very nice lodges.
Responsible Travel
Planet
Small Group TravelWe specialise in small group safaris, with a maximum of 12 and a minimum of 4 clients per tour. Travelling together means transport and activities are shared between a limited number of travellers, while our experienced guides manage the driving and logistics.
Fuel Use
Our purpose built safari trucks average approximately 25L/100km. With an average of 9.5 clients on board, this equates to approximately 2.6L/100km per passenger. For comparison, a typical 4WD rental using 12L/100km and carrying two people uses around 6L/100km per passenger. Actual fuel use varies according to the vehicle, route, road conditions and passenger numbers.
Waste and Water
We follow a leave no trace approach and collect waste for disposal at appropriate facilities. At our workshop, we recycle used oil and containers, use oil traps and use biodegradable cleaning products wherever practical. Our safari vehicles carry tanks of clean, safe tap water, which clients can use to refill reusable bottles, reducing the need for single use plastic water bottles.
Resources and Wildlife
Where practical, we use gas rather than wood or charcoal for cooking, particularly in remote areas where firewood is limited. We also ask clients to use water thoughtfully, especially in the drier regions we visit. Our guides follow established wildlife viewing practices, including maintaining appropriate distances, avoiding unnecessary disturbance and never feeding wild animals.
People
Local Crafts and MarketsWhen visiting curio markets, we encourage clients to buy locally made crafts and to consider smaller wooden items rather than large pieces. This supports local artisans while reducing the amount of timber required for larger carvings. When bartering, we encourage clients to do so respectfully and remember that even a small purchase can be meaningful to a local vendor.
Tours for Young People, South Africa
We run educational trips to South Africa’s national parks for young people aged 14 to 18 from Johannesburg, in partnership with the PEN Organisation. Many participants have never visited a protected area or experienced wildlife in the wild. The trips provide an opportunity to learn about nature, conservation and careers in tourism.
National Park Fees
National park entry fees contribute towards the operation and management of protected areas. Depending on the park, these funds can contribute to infrastructure, conservation activities and services for park staff and surrounding communities. Clients can ask their guide about the park fees included in their safari and how they are used.
Locally Owned Accommodation
Where practical, we use locally owned lodges, guesthouses, B&Bs and tented camps. Staying at locally owned properties means that our accommodation spend contributes to businesses operating in the areas we visit, including through local employment and the use of local services and suppliers.
Local Guides and Community Experiences
Our safaris include two professional Sunway guides, and we also use local guides and community experts for specific activities. Their knowledge provides a direct connection to the places we visit, while the activities provide income and employment within local communities.
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