Zambia & Malawi Safari

Arrive in Lusaka, Zambia’s capitol city, where you will be met and assisted to the light aircraft transfer to Mfuwe. Upon arrival, meet your guide and head through Mfuwe village and into the park to Mfuwe Lodge.

South Luangwa National Park’s history dates back over 30 years and is where the concept of walking safaris originated. This national park lies along the Luangwa River and is home to some of Africa’s largest concentrations of wildlife. The lifeblood of the park is the mighty Luangwa River which is one of the most pristine river ecosystems in Africa. The vegetation of the park is predominately dry woodland interspersed with floodplain grasslands, coupled with the dominating Luangwa River and its many languid oxbow lakes. Unique and varied animal species are found here, from large herds of elephant and buffalo to impala and puku. Dominant predators include lion and leopard. The wide variety of antelope species seen include common waterbuck and reedbuck, bushbuck, kudu, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, sable and roan. Unique to the area are Thornicroft’s giraffe as well as the Cookson’s wildebeest, both sub-species found nowhere else in the world. A healthy hippo population dots the riverbanks and the lagoon in front of camp. The birding is equally diverse, with regular sightings of Saddle-billed Stork, Lilian’s Lovebird, African Skimmer and even Bat Hawk. Three nights Mfuwe Lodge.

Set out this morning on a game drive deep into the park as you head to the first of your remote Bushcamps. During your stay you will expereince two of the Bushcamps, with the option to walk from one camp to the next on Day 4. Each of the six bushcamps is set in glorious surroundings and can accommodate a maximum of just eight guests, ensuring that your stay is a peaceful one and tailored to your personal needs. Together with the warmest of hospitality, sumptuous meals and first-class guides, the bushcamps are the perfect gateway for individuals and small groups wishing to explore the spectacular wildlife of the South Luangwa.

In the South Luangwa, the walking safari is king. This is what we are famous for, so it is only fitting that most of your outings will be on foot with the very finest guides. Game drives are also on offer, particularly at night when a whole new cast of characters fills the landscape.

Set out early this morning to return back to Mfuwe Airport to meet the flight to Likoma Island and Lake Malawi (stopping in Lilongwe to clear customs on the way). It’s about an hour’s flight from Lilongwe to Likoma with beautiful scenery all the way up. Upon arrival you will be met by a guide and transferred to Kaya Mawa for three nights.

Likoma Island is the larger of two inhabited islands in Lake Malawi. Although both islands lie just a few kilometers from Mozambique, and are entirely surrounded by Mozambican territorial waters, they are both properties of Malawi. There is one town, Likoma Town, and (amazingly) here you’ll find St Peter’s Cathedral – the third largest cathedral in Central Africa! Built in 1903, this remarkable building is about the same size of Winchester Cathedral and is of real architectural and cultural interest. Inside, you’ll not only find a lovely working cathedral, but also a great deal of carved soapstone and stained-glass windows kept in perfect condition.

The island’s sandy beaches and secluded coves have some of the best snorkelling and diving in Malawi and Kaya Mawa is the only lodge! Activities include scuba diving and snorkeling (there is a PADI dive center at the lodge), kite surfing, kayaking, waterskiing, wakeboarding, fishing, sailing in the solo Lasers, exploring the island on foot on your own or with a guide, mountain biking, quad biking, taking some treatments or simply relaxing at the lodge or on the beach!

Sadly, on day 9 it’s time to depart. Enjoy one last breakfast on the beach before you are transferred back to the Likoma Airstrip for the flights to Lilongwe and on home.