Safari tour in Malawi

A tour to discover Africa

Safari tour in Malawi. A trip for those who want to explore tourist and pristine areas, with an incredible biodiversity. In southern Malawi, to understand nature and the people, with special and unique photographic opportunities.

WHAT WE WILL SEE

Safari tour in Malawi. A trip for those who want to explore tourist and pristine areas, with an incredible biodiversity. In southern Malawi, to understand nature and the people, with special and unique photographic opportunities.

Majete Wildlife Reserve, in the Shire Valley, is a success story in restocking a wildlife reserve. All the big five are present. Lions, leopards, blacks rhinos, elephants and buffaloes, as well as sable antelope, zebras, eland and Lichestein’s heartebeest. We will venture into the mid of the park even at night for safaris in search of predators.

Following the Shire Valley, new panoramic views eco-systems.

We enter in Liwonde National Park, perhaps the most famous park in Malawi: the boat safaris is “truly unmissable”. Elephants swimming a few meters away from the boat, hippos grub, crocodiles, impalas drinking from the river and troops of monkeys who engage in daily grooming. Birdlife is truly amazing. Black rhinos present within the Sanctuary, a place in which they are well protected.

At the foot of Mount Mulanje is Mulanje Forest Reserve, one of the highest mountain in southern Africa. 650km2 of forest and many species of animals and plants unique in the world. Malawians consider Mulanje as magic to the wealth of legends and stories that populate the collective imagination.

Under Mount Mulanje we will see the rolling hills covered by pure tea: walking through the immense spaces of the plantations we meet the tea pickers and people hiking  the mountain.

We will dive into the rich cultural heritage of Malawi in Chamare museum at Mua, the oldest and original operational mission in Malawi. Inside the museum, the largest collection in the world of the Gule Wamkulu masks, secret ceremony of the ethnic Chewa Heritage  and Tradition.

On the banks of the third biggest lake in Africa, in the region of Monkey Bay, the Lake Malawi National Park. Its bio-diversity compared to the Galapagos, is one of the largest water reserves in the world, by the clear waters and white sands. It is estimated that the endemic fish that inhabit the waters, cichlids, are around 500 species. A part from that, between the poignant beauty of its landscapes, the people of Malawi are hospitable and incredibly friendly.

DURATION

11 days. Possibility of extensions on the shores of Lake Malawi or in Mulanje, at the foot of the magic mountain.

STAFF

Staff is made by professional guides trained by Malawi Tourism sector. WHO WE ARE 

ACCOMMODATION – Safari tour in Malawi

Three nights in Thawale lodge into Majete Wildlife Reserve, immersed in the wild nature of the park. At Mulanje accommodation exclusive  to us set up in ancient colonial house, AfricaWildTruck eco-lodge & camp within a historic garden, inside of tea plantations; on Mount Mulanje nights in mountain huts. Subsequent nights are in a nice lodge on Lake Malawi near the Lake Malawi National Park. In Liwonde National Park, Mvuu camp overnight in the incredible camp overlooking the river where elephants come to drink. At Mua, night in well-equipped bungalows, property belonging to the White fathers. There can be nights in camping tents organized for you, on request.

The room in the lodge / chalet / hotel, is intended, unless otherwise requested, in double or, in rare cases, triple or quadruple; They could be replaced for technical-organizational problems without distorting the original plan.

The facilities have been carefully chosen following an idea of​land conservation and sustainability of travel, preferring  positions in close contact with nature. For a list of the lodge / camping , please write to us!

TO KNOW MORE

Download the travel program in .pdf of the Expedition Safari tour in Malawi – Expedition 152

 

 

DAY 1 BLANTYRE CHILEKA AIRPORT - MAJETE WILDLIFE RESERVE, MALAWI. Arrival in Blantyre around 14:00 with Ethiopian Airlines. The country is welcoming and warm: its people have a warm and hospitable heart that in no other country in Africa we have ever heard. Despite the poignant beauty of its landscape, its hospitable and incredibly friendly people, the kilometers of pristine beaches of golden sand, Malawi is a country not yet discovered by tourism and this makes it even more fascinating. After meeting at the airport, we will move immediately into Majete Wildlife Reserve, to get to the heart of the park and safari. Overnight at the lodge, located in the park overlooking a waterhole where often spotted are elephants and nyala. Full board.

DAY 2 MAJETE WILDLIFE RESERVE. Introduction to the park. First day safari in the morning, with the possibility of spotting species like buffalo, elephants, lions and nyala. Return to camp for lunch. In the afternoon, night safari and return to camp for dinner. Stunning location of the lodge, in the heart of the park. Often you sight shy antelopes, baboons, or, if lucky, elusive leopards. Full board.

DAY 3 MAJETE WILDLIFE RESERVE. The rich diversity of habitats will be immediately apparent in our third safari and during the afternoon drive. The banks of the Shire River are an ideal environment for hippos and crocodiles, while in the forests of marula elephants find their perfect habitat. Among the animals sighted within the reserve are lions, leopards, genets, civets, nightjar ... and all the big five. The  African Parks Conservation was founded and built by Nelson Mandela and operates in several African states. Overnight at the lodge. Full board.

DAY 4 MAJETE WILDLIFE - MULANJE FOREST  RESERVE. We will cross the Shire river and will climb to 800m altitude after the city of Blantyre to reach the massive Mulanje and the spectacle of the tea plantations. The hills are like endless expanses and bright green leaves with only the red space of the labyrinthine routes through the plantations. Overnight in old colonial house, set in the plantations. Full board.

DAY 5 and 6 MULANJE MOUNTAIN FOREST RESERVE. Walking through the vast spaces of the plantations. We meet the tea workers who patiently  pluck the young leaves at the top of the plants, leaf by leaf, to fill the huge baskets on their backs. The first tea plantations in Africa were introduced in the late nineteenth century precisely in this area of ​​Malawi. We then enter the magical forest of Mulanje and dedicate this day to a trek in the forest to the Likhubula waterfall, surrounded by greenery, including endemic chameleons and unique plants such as the famous cedar of Mulanje, a protected species. Legends and stories are part of Malawian culture that describes the Mulanje mountain, "Island in the Sky".  Then we will told you some legends from those who have always lived under this mountain spread over 650 km2, which with its 3002 meters is the highest in the southern tip of Africa. For those who wish, you can reach the CCAP hut, (5/6 hour) with a hiking that takes us on top of the island in the sky. Spectacular scenery will open behind us and finally we will arrive in the afternoon to simple shelter of CCAP, one of the largest, from which we can observe the south-eastern slope of the peak of Chambe, located at 2557m altitude. Overnight in mountain huts or in old colonial house, like the previous night. Full board.

DAY 7 MULANJE - LAKE MALAWI, MONKEY BAY AREA. From Mulanje traveling to Monkey Bay, Mangochi and Lake Malawi, headed to a bay where we will find a relaxing afternoon of fishing eagles and fishing villages with their canoes defy the third largest lake of 'Africa, one of the largest water reserves in the world; it is estimated that the endemic fish that inhabit the waters, Cichlids, are around 1000 species. Overnight at the lodge on the lake. Half board

DAY 8 LAKE MALAWI, MONKEY BAY AREA.  The fishing villagers are many, and in the morning it is easy to meet them in their canoes while returning from a night of fishing. Lake Malawi in this area is close to the Lake Malawi National Park: a real sea and provides livelihood to all villages settled on the banks of the lake. From here we can organize a boat trip to the island of Boadzulu, the lake Malawi National Park where we will be able to fully enjoy the wonder and the transparency of the lake. Women dry out the fish and preparing the stalls for sale. We will spend the day on Lake Malawi, in the villages and to devote to the knowledge of the people’s business. Overnight at the lodge on the lake. Full board

DAY 9 LAKE MALAWI, MONKEY BAY AREA - MUA - LAKE MALAWI. A few kilometers separate us from Mua, the oldest and original operational mission in Malawi. It was born with the support of the Ngoni tribe in 1903, at the request of two French White Fathers, an order which was born in Algeria. Father Boucher, anthropologist and missionary, started a center of culture and art, at Kungoni ( meaning “Waterfall”, because it sits near a waterfall) and the Museum of Chamare, named after Chapmartin, French father who founded the school of carpentry, still appreciated around the area today. At Mua they preserve the rich cultural heritage of Malawi and have collected about 400 of the 10,000 (yes, we wrote well, ten thousand!) Masks of the Gule Wamkulu, secret ceremony of the majority Malawian ethnic group: the Chewa. Since a few years ago the Gule Wamkulu became a World Heritage Site, protected by UNESCO. Overnight as previous night. Full board.

DAY 10 LAKE MALAWI - LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK. In the morning, wake up at sunrise and after breakfast we will reach the banks of the Shire River, where we will enter the Liwonde National Park and we will organize the famous boat safari to better spot and photograph the wildlife of the park: many elephants, hippos and crocodiles! The boats are motorized and will come accompanied by a guide who will maneuver the boat and, in addition to our presence, we will be adding a safari guide. The chances of sighting elephants are unique and often swim in front of us, across the river in search of food. In the afternoon, the second boat safari increases the chances of more sightings. Accommodation in the middle of the park, in one of the most beautiful lodge / Malawi courts, overlooking the Shire River. Full board

DAY 11 LIWONDE - CHILEKA  AIRPORT, BLANTYRE. Return to Blantyre through the fertile highlands of the Rift Valley; Transfer to airport for international departure flight.

* The current times are estimates calculated on flight plans provided by the airlines by the year 2021. If the route changes then this could be varied.

 

EXTENSIONS

  • Lake Malawi beaches, adventure or relaxation
  • Indian Ocean wonderful sea
  • Hidden Ntchisi Forest
  • Mulanje forest, behind AfricaWildTruck

ATTENDANCE FEE: 2760 Euro

incluse VAT 16,5%, Tourism Levy 1% e tasse 30%

PARTECIPANTS: MINIMUM 6

 

DISCOUNTS

The following discounts are possible:

  • Discount of 40Usd per day if you decide to camp
  • family discounts: for children and young boys/girls under 12 years
  • 100Usd for travelers who already took part at least in a travel with AFRICA WILD TRUCK (minum base of 4 persons)
  • groups discount

Discounts are subject to variations and can't be combined together.

 

THE FEE INCLUDES

  • English speaking guides authorized by Minister of Tourism
  • all transports, to and from the airport, road taxes
  • all game drives activities (in Majete wildlife reserve 4 game drives, in Mount Mulanje Reserve and in Lake Malawi national park and Liwonde national park 2 boat safari or game drives)
  • all overnights in lodge as to program - no camping (see page 3)
  • all meals as per full board/ indication
  • VAT (16,5%),  TOURISM LEVY (1%) and government taxes.

THE FEE DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • flights
  • Malawi Visa
  • Single supplement (15%)
  • park national fees in Liwonde and Majete (30 Usd per day respectively at the moment )
  • Euroassistance/Globy or similar travel insurance (cancellation, luggage, health insurance highly advisable – it is possible to stipulate it with the above cited agency or online – write to us, we will help you to find the best solution!)
  • drinks
  • optional excursions not mentioned
  • any possible personal expense
  • tips
  • anything not expressly specified under "The fee includes"

HEALTH

No obligation to vaccination.

We recommend these vaccines:

  • tetanus
  • typhoid fever
  • hepatitis A and B
  • Covid19

Concerning malaria, disease transmitted by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito, its prevention is accomplished, first of all, with a mechanic prevention i.e. avoiding getting stung, following these rules:

  • sleeping under mosquito tents
  • using insecticide to get rid of possible mosquitos
  • after sunset, when mosquitos are more active, avoiding leaving parts of the body uncovered, wearing light-colored long trousers and long-sleeve shirts, because dark colors attract mosquitos and spraying parts of the body uncovered with Autan Extreme

For the use of any possible antimalarial drugs we suggest that you consult your Public Health Service; health norms change very rapidly.

TRAVEL MEDICAL KIT

We suggest that you take with you a small supply of these medicines:

  • analgesics/fever reducers: acetylsalicylic acid and nimesulide
  • antibiotics like ciproxin or amoxicillin or clavulanic acid
  • antimalarials: anyway carry with you 2 packs of Lariam for emergency cases
  • antidiarrheals: loperamide or kaolin in case of symptoms (to use only if really necessary!)
  • rehydration salts: in case of fluid leaks
  • against car or air sickness: a pack of pills or chewing-gums
  • antihistamines: in case of allergic reactions
  • scissors, tweezers and thermometer
  • suntan cream
  • insecticides (like Autan Extreme)

 

Required documents and Visa

It is necessary to have a passport valid for at least 6 months after departure date with at least two free pages; for the entry in Malawi the Visa is obtainable under 75 Usd payment. Write us for more informations

CLOTHING

comfortable trekking shoes

technical sandals

easy to dry slippers for the shower

windbreaker

k-way

sweatshirt/pile

cotton/linen long trousers

cotton/linen long sleeve shirts

cotton T-shirts

bathing suit

panty

belly pack for passport

sunglasses

cap

OTHER

towel

binoculars

head torch-light

water bottle

camera/videocamera/spare batteries!!

passport photocopy and 2 passport photos

energy bars may be useful

any other mountain trekking that you might need

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