Description
Malawi may be one of Africa’s smallest countries but when it comes to exploration and adventure, it has tremendous amounts to offer; from grasslands and forests, mountaintops, unspoilt wildlife parks to Africa’s third largest and most beautiful Lake!
Situated on the Great Rift Valley, Malawi is dominated by Lake Malawi, a magnificent body of water 365 miles long and 52 miles wide – sometimes referred to as the calendar lake! The lake is teaming with life, including over 400 species of cichlid fish, a lot of which are endemic to it. Most of Lake Malawi’s astounding underwater diversity is protected within the Lake Malawi National Park, which is a World Heritage site and also one of the first in the world set aside for the protection of freshwater fish.
The wildlife parks in Malawi are picturesque as well as diverse in game. Also unlike other African parks these have a very exclusive feel to them with only a few lodges operating in each. Reserves such as Majete Wildlife Reserve are virtually undiscovered by tourists and thus visiting it feels more like an expedition, making for unique and exciting safaris. Majete is also the only official Big 5 Park in Malawi. Malawi is not an economically wealthy country, but there are great riches in the people and their culture.
Malawians are never short on smiles and hospitality; making you feel welcome in the, ‘Warm Heart of Africa’ right from the start of your unforgettable journey.
Itinerary
Day 1 – 3 : Mkulumadzi
On arrival at Blantyre International Airport a guide from Brothers Safaris will meet you for the drive to Mkulumadzi, which is approximately 2.5hours through colorful local scenes of villages, agriculture and bushveld.
The camp is located on the confluence of the Shire and Mkulumadzi River, within Majete Wildlife Reserve 70km South West of Blantyre, Southern Malawi. Majete is Malawi’s only Big 5 Reserve and also one of the largest protected areas, covering over 70 000 hectares. The reserve is located within the Miombo woodland ecoregion and much of the higher lying areas in the west of the park are dominated by Miombo/Brachystegia woodland. Mixed Combretum woodlands and mosaics of riparian forest can be found in the East of Majete.
Depending on your arrival time in the day you will either enjoy a lunch looking out over the Shire River, afternoon tea, or the afternoon and night game drives.
The luxurious lodge is in a stunning location and activities include game drives, boating safaris, bush walks, hiking Majete Hill, black rhino tracking, cultural tours, birding trips on the Shire River and game-viewing from a hide. Guests are free to be as energetic or as idle as they please although at least one activity per day is encouraged to best enjoy Majete.
Day 4 – 6 : Mvuu Lodge
After breakfast and farewells, you will be transferred to Mvuu Lodge by road transfer, approximately 4 hours away. Liwonde National Park is considered to be one of the top birding locations in Southern Africa. The park well deserves these accolades as it offers some of the most scenic game viewing, beautiful riverine surroundings and varied bird watching you could wish to find. A great deal of the terrain is Shire River floodplains, which are much loved by the healthy population of elephants in the park. The elephants are best viewed during your boat safari on the Shire River, one of the many highlights of your stay at Mvuu Lodge.
Mvuu Wilderness Lodge offers comfortable tented accommodation in spacious ‘Hemingway’- styled safari tents, with own en suite facilities for a maximum of 10 guests. Each tent has its own private viewing platform alongside the lagoon.
The lodge has a swimming pool, sun deck and al fresco dining platform overlooking the river and lagoon. Your stay is on a full board basis, including the game activities that centre on game drives by day and night in open vehicles. Walks and boat safaris are unique activities at Mvuu. We explore the Shire River and lagoons – an excellent opportunity for sightings of elephants, hippo, crocodile and bird life. Birding is rewarding – specialities include Lillian’s lovebird, brown breasted barbet, osprey, palmnut vulture, Pel’s fishing owl and Livingstone’s flycatcher. Also available is a viewing hide on a tributary of the Shire River and some interesting visits by bicycle to the local school and surrounding rural communities.
Day 7 – 10 : Pumulani
Transfer to Pumulani after breakfast, by either driving all the way, or if necessary when the roads are wet by boating to Liwonde to pick up the vehicle. The direct drive is around 2.5 hours (around 100 km), first skirting the shores of Lake Malombe where most of the year we are able to visit the fish drying racks which dot the villages along the lakes edge. Then you will reach the Nankumba Peninsula of Lake Malawi. This is recognised as one of the most beautiful shores of the Lake and borders Lake Malawi National Park.
Pumulani is exclusively situated on the west-side of the Nankumba Peninsula, surrounded by National Park. The ten villas are scattered around the hillside and are individual in shape and style but all have a spacious bedroom, bathroom and extensive sitting area. The front sliding doors open onto the deck, which is elevated above the ground giving optimal views.
Our remote beach setting is ideal for those who simply want to soak up the sun and swim in the clear blue waters of the lake. For those who prefer to take a dive in the swimming pool there is an infinity pool near the central dining area with grand views over the lake, as well as another infinity pool on beach level. For those seeking activity we offer many water sport activities like snorkelling, fishing, sailing, kayaking, water skiing, wake boarding and fun tube rides (all motorised activities are excluded). At the end of the day climb aboard our dhow and let our experienced local crewmen take you sailing into the sunset.
Lake Malawi is the world’s most ecologically diverse lake. Its crystal clear waters are home to more than a thousand species of fish, including hundreds of species of colourful cichlids. We offer special diving courses at the best diving spots near one of the islands. For those who are interested in the real Malawian village life we offer guided walks through one of the local villages. Malawians are renowned for being amongst the friendliest people in Africa and during your stay you will have the opportunity to meet them. You can also simply relax in the beautiful and tranquil scenery or you can enjoy the many other activities.
Day 11 : Transit
On the final day of your stay at Pumulani you will bid farewell to the lodge. You will be transferred back to Monkey Bay where you will take a light aircraft to Lilongwe in time for your connecting flight.
Included
All transfers by road and air starting in Blantyre and ending in Lilongwe; accommodation on a full board basis; local drinks; activities (except motorised water sports) and laundry.
Excluded
Gratuities; visa fees where applicable and international flights.
FAQ's
Our approach to travel is defined by our motto “Constantly in Pursuit of Excellence”, as we strive to provide top quality tour or safari options. We’d love to hear from you, so please contact us with your questions, comments or suggestions through our Support System and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Please also review our FAQ’s to save you time in case your question has already been answered.
