An exciting safari experience exploring the diversity of the lesser travelled South Eastern African countries. This tour is not for the faint hearted, 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.
Day 1 Lusaka
- lodge ---
[B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner]
The group will meet in Lusaka, in Zambia, at 16:00 at the lodge. This evening, after the tour briefing, we have a group dinner at the lodge (own expense).
Day 2 Kafue River
- lodge BL-
A long drive takes us across the rolling Miombo forested hills of southern Zambia and down into the Zambezi Valley lowlands and our lodge on the banks of the Kafue River. Being a major tributary to the Zambezi River it is the largest and longest river lying entirely within Zambia. We overnight on its banks and enjoy the sunset from the elevated deck.
Day 3 - 4 Lower Zambezi Canoeing
- 1 x camping BLD
- 1 x lodge BL-
We paddle down the mighty Zambezi River, home of the tribal mythical god – Nyami Nyami. Canoeing past local riverside villages and magnificent scenery. We overnight at a wild campsite on Elephant Bones Island in the heart of untamed Africa. The following morning we continue our canoe safari through an area teeming with elephants, hippos and other wildlife. We will be collected by a motorboat and transferred back up river to our lodge.
Day 5 Lusaka - Great East Road
- chalet BLD
We head north to Lusaka the capital of Zambia where we stock up on supplies in the bustling shops and markets. Taking the Great East Road, we continue our journey this afternoon, passing small villages and roadside markets, before reaching the town of Petauke at sunset. Here we overnight at a simple, functional lodge that provides a stopover en route to South Luangwa.
Day 6 - 8 South Luangwa National Park
- lodge chalet BL-
We make our way down into “the valley” of the South Luangwa National Park. This remote region is one of Africa’s finest wildlife sanctuaries where elephants, hippo, lion and leopard abound. Our lodge, on the banks of the Luangwa River, overlooks the national park and you can frequently see hippos and elephants from the camp swimming pool!
We explore the game management area and the national park on a game walk and open 4WD game drives, one at night with spotlights, to see nocturnal animals. (In the green season, Dec – Apr, walks may not be possible in which case we’ll do extra game drives). There is time on the last afternoon either to relax in camp or take another game walk, game drive or village visit activity (own expense).
Day 9 Lilongwe
- lodge BL-
We cross the border at Chipata into Malawi and make our way to the capital Lilongwe where we restock on supplies. The afternoon is free to wander the town or search the markets before we head to our lodge on the outskirts of town.
Day 10 - 11 Mulanje Massif
- lodge BLD
We tour one of Malawi’s famous tea plantations in the Thyolo region before making our way to our lodge in Mulanje. Mount Mulanje’s bare rock flanks tower to almost 3002m, dwarfing all that surrounds it, and influencing cloud patterns in the area, making it an important source of rain water at the head of almost every river in this part of southern Malawi. Formed about 130 million years ago, the first European to see the Massif was David Livingstone in 1859, but archaeological investigation reveals evidence of human activity since the Stone Age. We take a day walk on the slopes to see the streams, waterfalls and towering peaks
Day 12 - 13 Liwonde
- camping BLD
Ancient baobab trees and lofty palms provide the backdrop for this magnificent southern Malawi reserve. Covering 548 km² of the upper Shire River plains and valley slopes, Liwonde harbours Malawi’s largest remaining elephant population and the critically endangered Black Rhino.
In the morning we’ll explore the grassland and woodland habitats in search of leopards, elephants, hippos, antelopes and rare Lilian’s lovebirds in our safari truck.
The river Shire flows along Liwonde’s western border and we’ll board a river cruise safari in the hopes of finding hippo, crocodiles, elephants or any other game coming down to quench their thirst.
Day 14 - 15 Lake Malawi
- lodge BLD
Lake Malawi is the jewel of Malawi and one of the magnificent lakes of the Great Rift Valley. Travelling to the shores of Lake Malawi National Park, we take a boat transfer to the secluded tropical paradise of Mumbo Island, located off Cape Maclear.
A dramatic granite outcrop surrounded by crystal clear waters, this remote island retreat offers an unforgettable escape. Explore the lake by kayak, snorkel among the colourful endemic cichlid fish for which the lake is famous, or simply relax and enjoy the tranquillity of island life. Combined with the hospitality of the Malawian people, it is easy to understand why Malawi is known as the “Warm Heart of Africa.”
Day 16 - 17 Lilongwe
- lodge BL-
After a final morning enjoying the peaceful surroundings of Mumbo Island, we take a boat transfer back to the mainland and continue by road to Lilongwe. Arriving at our lodge in the afternoon, there is time to relax, reflect on the journey and enjoy the lodge facilities. This evening, the group gathers for the final night of the tour, with dinner at your own expense at the lodge’s restaurant.
The following morning, we enjoy breakfast together and the tour ends at 8:00am at the lodge (the truck will do an FOC drop-off at Lilongwe airport at +/-09:00am. Airport transfers at other times are available on request.)
