Explore scenic Southern Malawi on this week-long lodge safari, visiting travel highlights of the Warm Heart of Africa. Safari highlights on this Malawi Tour include: Visit Game Haven and Tea Estate in the Shire Highlands, Liwonde National Park, game drives and walking or boat safari. Stay on Nankoma Island in Lake Malawi National Park. An affordable African Lodge Safari through the beautiful and friendly land of Malawi.
Set off southeast from Lilongwe, capital of Malawi, on the first morning. We travel via Dedza and Blantyre to the Thyolo tea region, enjoying a picnic lunch en route.
To begin with,our first stop, Game Haven – a scenic and peaceful game park in the Shire Highlands of Southern Malawi. Here we stay in chalets inside the park, surrounded by indigenous forests and grasslands where an array of wild animals and birds also live. In addition, the reserve is also home to plains game, including kudu, roan, eland, sable, giraffe and zebra, as well as prolific bird life.
Finally, end the day off with a dip in the pool and a sun downer in the Victorian-style bar at the lodge beside Lake Bvumbwe, followed by a delicious dinner at the restaurant.
On day two we explore the highlands, beginning with Statemwa Tea Estate, only half an hour’s drive from our lodge.
We take an hour-long walking tour of the internationally recognised tea estate, which produces a variety of white, black, gold and flavoured teas. During our visit, we also enjoy a tea tasting workshop.
Next, we tuck into a superb lunch at Huntingdon House, in the grand old colonial manor house or in the rambling gardens. Later, after lunch, we take a short drive, followed by a walk on the estate. We walk up to a beautiful picnic spot on the slopes of Thyolo Mountain, taking in the sweeping views of the estate and surrounding Lower Shire Valley. Keep an eye out for the rare and endemic Thyolo Alethe and other birds in the forest.
Later this afternoon we retrace our steps to Game Haven where you are free to laze at the pool, play a round of golf, or explore the reserve on foot or mountain bike.
Day three, sees us journeying on to Liwonde National Park, via Zomba. Our next lodge is located on the banks of the Shire River in Liwonde National Park.
Afterwards, in the late afternoon, we embark on a sunset game drive in Liwonde, returning to the lodge after dark. Liwonde is home to plenty of wildlife and abundant birdlife with over 400 bird species recorded. Wildlife sightings include buffalo, black rhinos, elephants, leopards and a variety of antelopes, including rare sable, kudu, waterbuck and eland.
Day four brings morning and afternoon game drives in the unspoilt Liwonde Park, as well as a boat safari or game walk. Boat cruises on the Shire offer excellent game viewing and are especially good for watching large hippo pods, Nile crocodiles and the big herds of elephants drinking and bathing in the river.
In between game viewing activities, you can also swim in the large pool and unwind at the lodge, also watch wildlife and birds along the Shire River.
After breakfast on day five, we leave the untamed wilderness of Liwonde behind, driving north for three hours to reach Salima. From Salima, we take a scenic boat ride along the Linthipe River and out to Nankoma Island on Lake Malawi. Our final lodge is on Nankoma Island, which forms part of the Marelli Island Archipelago, lying three kilometres from the shores of the lake within Lake Malawi National Park.
Settle into your en-suite tented chalet looking out over the lake and soak up the pristine and peaceful natural surroundings.
Day six is free for relaxing on the island. Non-motorized water sports are also included in your tour price, with kayaking and snorkeling being favorite activities in this secluded area. Other optional activities include bird watching, a nature walk leading to the highest point on the island and a boat trip around Nankoma Island to watch cormorant colonies and fish eagles. Scuba diving, windsurfing and wake boarding are also available at extra cost.
We begin our day with a leisurely full breakfast, taking our time to pack up and admire our island setting. Leaving Lake Malawi we make our way back to Lilongwe, where our Southern Malawi Budget Lodge Safari started.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Malawi, the Warm Heart of Africa!
Please feel free to contact us at South Rift Galaxy Safaris.
Office Location: Wabera Street, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 720 824 502 OR +254 720 823 229
Email: info@southriftgalaxysafaris.com
Mon – Sat 8.00 – 18.00 Sunday CLOSED
