TANDALA NO KWANGALA – BEST OF MALAWI – 11 NIGHTS AND 12 DAYS

12 Days

Destination

Latitude 13° – Lilongwe – 1 night – B&B

At approximately 90 square meters, each one of our nine rooms is significantly larger than your traditional hotel bedroom – making way for sumptuous sprung beds dressed in crisp white sheets and feather pillows that say, ‘ahhh’ – a stylish oversized workspace, large flat screen TV, enormous cozy sofa, sunken bath, drench shower and his and her sinks.

Thawale Lodge – Majete Wildlife Reserve – 2 nights – Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities

Thawale Lodge is African Parks’ own tourism operation and places emphasis on responsible tourism by applying 100% of the camp’s revenue back into conserving and protecting Majete. Situated within Majete around a serene floodlit waterhole that attracts a variety of wildlife, Thawale Lodge is a peaceful haven from which to experience Majete. Completely unfenced, the camp is regularly visited by wildlife.

Thawale Lodge offers six double- and twin-tented chalets, all en-suite and each with its own private veranda overlooking the waterhole. The more luxurious chalet has a unique open-air bathroom built among the rocks with a shower and a sunken bath and views of the floodlit waterhole. The chalets are spaced out to offer visitors privacy and an individual bush experience.

Adjacent to the park entrance of the lodge is a self-catering community campsite powered by solar energy and with a thatched bar and dining area, barbeque facilities, toilets, and hot-water showers. A communal lapa and traditional lounge area with a fully staffed kitchen is available in the centre of the camp. Meals are served in the thatched bamboo restaurant and bar with a birding veranda. Dinner can be combined with an ‘under the stars boma night’ with entertainment from the local Gule wa Mkulu dancers.

Huntingdon House – Thyolo – 2 nights – Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities

Originally the family home built by Maclean Kay in 1928, Huntingdon House exudes a colonial charm and unique character that cannot be recreated. This magnificent house forms the heart of Satemwa Tea Estate and is surrounded by sprawling manicured gardens with secret patios and terraces waiting to be discovered by guests.

As one of Malawi’s first land claims registered in 1874, Satemwa Tea Estate is undoubtedly among the countries most respected and established tea and coffee producers managed and operated by third generation members of the Cathcart Kay family. Chip, one of Maclean Kays sons, and his wife Dawn, live on the estate and Huntingdon?s guests are invited to step back in time and share some of Chips wonderful memories of his family home, discover the multitude of teas exported from the estate, and hear the fascinating history of Satemwa Tea Estate.

The house has been tastefully refurbished to offer 5 unique suites, each individually decorated to reflect the quirks and character of this grand residence. Each area of the house has a story of it?s own from the original children?s nursery to the resident priests quarters and private Chapel. Guests are encouraged to share the colourful history of one of Malawi’s oldest homes while being spoilt by our team of professional staff.

Mvuu Camp – Liwonde National Park – 2 nights – Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities

Mvuu Camp has a spectacular vantage point along the Shire River that draws all manner of fauna to its banks. The camp, comprising 14 units as well as a nearby campsite, is a clever mix of spacious stone and canvas chalets and specially designed family tents. An impressive thatched dining and lounge area offers a magnificent river vista that is framed by two large baobab trees. Dinners are sometimes held under the stars in a specially constructed boma. A custom-built education and conference centre with facilities for up to 40 delegates or smaller corporate and team building functions is available.

Mvuu Camp offers a wide range of accommodation options such as full board rates and camping, and a variety of activities including boat safaris on the Shire River, game drives, nature walks & trails and non-stop birding. Trips to community projects in nearby villages and Nanthomba School are also popular.

Fast Facts:

Safari Lodge

Spoken Languages: English

No. Rooms: 14

Special Interests: Birding, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife

Mumbo Island Camp – Mumbo Island – 2 nights – Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities

Mumbo is a pristine island in Lake Malawi National Park which, with its crystal clear waters and innumerable species of cichlid fish, offers some of the best freshwater scuba diving in the world and the best snorkelling on the Lake.

The island lies 10km north-west of Cape Maclear, where reception and the nearest point of road access is located. The camp comprises five units (two twin tents and three twin reed chalets) perched on rocks high above the water shaded by lush foliage, each with bucket showers, ‘eco-loos’ and wooden deck. A hammock provides a comfortable spot to take in the idyllic Lake view. A twin-tented family unit is tucked into the forest near the main beach. There is a dining area, bar and watersport gazebo of timber and thatch.

Activities here vary from lazing in a hammock to snorkelling, diving, swimming, kayaking, walking and birdwatching. Guests have the option of boating or paddling to explore the granitic islands of the Lake.

Fast Facts:

Safari Lodge

Spoken Languages: English

No. Rooms: 6

Special Interests: Adventure, Beach / Coastal, Birding, Hiking, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Watersports, Wildlife

Livingstonia Beach Hotel – Senga – 1 night –  Half Board – Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Opposite Bird Island on the Salima shores of Lake Malawi is Sunbird Livingstonia Beach. The exclusive hotel is located on the one kilometer long private beach, adjoining the beach is the hotel’s spectacular campsite. The hotel is a 2 hour drive from Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe.

The open-air terrace restaurant and the second storey dining room both overlook the beautifully tended gardens and the long stretch of beach. A range of local and international cuisine is available, with fresh Lake fish a specialty. The Kasupe Bar offers relaxed drinks around the swimming pool. The hotel offers a comprehensive range of water sport facilities, as well as conference facilities, swimming pool, gym and free WI-FI access.

What To Look Forward To

  • At approximately 90 square meters, each one of our nine rooms is significantly larger than your traditional hotel bedroom – making way for sumptuous sprung beds dressed in crisp white sheets and feather pillows that say, ‘ahhh’ – a stylish oversized workspace, large flat screen TV, enormous cozy sofa, sunken bath, drench shower and his and her sinks.
  • A communal lapa and traditional lounge area with a fully staffed kitchen is available in the centre of the camp. Meals are served in the thatched bamboo restaurant and bar with a birding veranda. Dinner can be combined with an 'under the stars boma night' with entertainment from the local Gule wa Mkulu dancers.
  • The house has been tastefully refurbished to offer 5 unique suites, each individually decorated to reflect the quirks and character of this grand residence. Each area of the house has a story of it?s own from the original children?s nursery to the resident priests quarters and private Chapel. Guests are encouraged to share the colourful history of one of Malawi's oldest homes while being spoilt by our team of professional staff.
  • Mvuu Camp offers a wide range of accommodation options such as full board rates and camping, and a variety of activities including boat safaris on the Shire River, game drives, nature walks & trails and non-stop birding. Trips to community projects in nearby villages and Nanthomba School are also popular.
  • Activities here vary from lazing in a hammock to snorkelling, diving, swimming, kayaking, walking and birdwatching. Guests have the option of boating or paddling to explore the granitic islands of the Lake.
  • A range of local and international cuisine is available, with fresh Lake fish a specialty. The Kasupe Bar offers relaxed drinks around the swimming pool. The hotel offers a comprehensive range of water sport facilities, as well as conference facilities, swimming pool, gym and free WI-FI access.A range of local and international cuisine is available, with fresh Lake fish a specialty. The Kasupe Bar offers relaxed drinks around the swimming pool. The hotel offers a comprehensive range of water sport facilities, as well as conference facilities, swimming pool, gym and free WI-FI access.

Itinerary

Day 1 :
LILONGWE
Resting on the banks of the Lilongwe River, the sprawling, bustling city of Lilongwe serves as the capital of Malawi. It is the largest city in Malawi and is the economic and transport hub of the country. It features thriving markets, lush green spaces, and rich cultural heritage. While the city has all of the twentieth-century urban developments, it retains the appearance of a traditional African settlement. The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, in the heart of Lilongwe, provides a sanctuary for local wildlife seeking refuge. Other sights worth seeing include the Kumbali Cultural Centre, offering the opportunity to view traditional Malawian dancing and drumming; as well as the nearby Chongoni Rock Art Area featuring over 127 sites displaying ancient rock art.
Sprawling across 700 square kilometres of the Great African Rift Valley, Majete Wildlife Reserve’s undulating terrain incorporates grassy plains, riverside groves and forests of marula, acacia and leadwood interspersed with palms and the occasional baobab tree. The park provides a sanctuary for a wide range of wildlife, including black rhino, elephant, antelope and warthog, while the Shire River is populated by large numbers of crocodiles and hippos. Make sure to see the spectacularly beautiful Matitu Falls. This conservation success story is a must-see, with over 2500 animals having been reintroduced into the reserve since 2003 - making it home to Africa’s Big 5.
Sprawling across 700 square kilometres of the Great African Rift Valley, Majete Wildlife Reserve’s undulating terrain incorporates grassy plains, riverside groves and forests of marula, acacia and leadwood interspersed with palms and the occasional baobab tree. The park provides a sanctuary for a wide range of wildlife, including black rhino, elephant, antelope and warthog, while the Shire River is populated by large numbers of crocodiles and hippos. Make sure to see the spectacularly beautiful Matitu Falls. This conservation success story is a must-see, with over 2500 animals having been reintroduced into the reserve since 2003 - making it home to Africa’s Big 5.
Day 4 :
THYOLO
Located between Blantyre and Mount Mulanje in what is arguably the most beautiful region of Malawi, the town of Thyolo serves as the administrative capital of the Thyolo District. The area is best known for its historical tea and coffee estates, some of which date back as far as the early 1900s. With its tidy landscape of undulating hills and immaculately kept tea and coffee estates, the Thyolo area is a pleasure to explore whether by bike, vehicle, or on foot. Magnificent views of Mount Mulanje and the Shire River Valley in the distance are a highlight of the region, as are the excellent opportunities for birding, hiking, and mountain biking. Some of the estates also offer guided tours where one can explore the farm, learn how the plantations work, and enjoy tea or coffee tastings.
Day 5 :
THYOLO
Located between Blantyre and Mount Mulanje in what is arguably the most beautiful region of Malawi, the town of Thyolo serves as the administrative capital of the Thyolo District. The area is best known for its historical tea and coffee estates, some of which date back as far as the early 1900s. With its tidy landscape of undulating hills and immaculately kept tea and coffee estates, the Thyolo area is a pleasure to explore whether by bike, vehicle, or on foot. Magnificent views of Mount Mulanje and the Shire River Valley in the distance are a highlight of the region, as are the excellent opportunities for birding, hiking, and mountain biking. Some of the estates also offer guided tours where one can explore the farm, learn how the plantations work, and enjoy tea or coffee tastings.
Liwonde National Park is situated at the southern tip of Lake Malombe in southern Malawi. Although Liwonde is a smaller park, it is arguably the most popular of all the game parks in the country. Malawi’s main river, the Shire, forms its western boundary and is the reserve’s lifeblood. Boasting plenty of animals including hippos, kudu, elephants, crocodiles and elephants, and even black rhino, the park has become one of Malawi's premier wildlife-viewing destinations. The birding opportunities here are excellent and a favourite sighting among birdwatchers is the Pel’s fishing owl. Visitors can look forward to a wide selection of activities including canoeing, sublime boating safaris, and excellently positioned camping spots. The area is also incredibly photogenic, with its lush Borassus palms, Impala lilies, and abundant wildflowers blooming after the rains.
Liwonde National Park is situated at the southern tip of Lake Malombe in southern Malawi. Although Liwonde is a smaller park, it is arguably the most popular of all the game parks in the country. Malawi’s main river, the Shire, forms its western boundary and is the reserve’s lifeblood. Boasting plenty of animals including hippos, kudu, elephants, crocodiles and elephants, and even black rhino, the park has become one of Malawi's premier wildlife-viewing destinations. The birding opportunities here are excellent and a favourite sighting among birdwatchers is the Pel’s fishing owl. Visitors can look forward to a wide selection of activities including canoeing, sublime boating safaris, and excellently positioned camping spots. The area is also incredibly photogenic, with its lush Borassus palms, Impala lilies, and abundant wildflowers blooming after the rains.
Mumbo Island is an ecotourist’s dream. Measuring just one square kilometre across, this remote islet is virtually uninhabited and covered with pristine miombo forests interspersed with ancient fig and baobab trees. It is surrounded by the calm, crystal clear waters of Lake Malawi, where you can swim and snorkel amidst schools of vividly coloured tropical fish. You may also encounter the island’s sole mammal inhabitant - playful and curious Spotted-necked Otters. The only resort on the island is built from sustainable natural materials that blend beautifully into the pristine surrounds.
Mumbo Island is an ecotourist’s dream. Measuring just one square kilometre across, this remote islet is virtually uninhabited and covered with pristine miombo forests interspersed with ancient fig and baobab trees. It is surrounded by the calm, crystal clear waters of Lake Malawi, where you can swim and snorkel amidst schools of vividly coloured tropical fish. You may also encounter the island’s sole mammal inhabitant - playful and curious Spotted-necked Otters. The only resort on the island is built from sustainable natural materials that blend beautifully into the pristine surrounds.
Day 10 :
SENGA
Senga is located at the tip of a broad peninsula jutting into the eastern part of Lake Malawi, 16 kilometres from Salima and just 90 minutes drive from the captial, Lilongwe. The picturesque area boasts a long stretch of sandy beach, and numerous hotels, lodges and campsites. Not as touristy as nearby Cape Maclear, Senga offers incredible scenes for photography. Fishing boats line the sands, and the shore bustles with playing children. By night the culture of the area comes alive with music. The neighbouring town of Salima is an important commercial and trading centre and is home to a wonderful market and all the modern luxuries and services.
Day 11 :
LILONGWE
Resting on the banks of the Lilongwe River, the sprawling, bustling city of Lilongwe serves as the capital of Malawi. It is the largest city in Malawi and is the economic and transport hub of the country. It features thriving markets, lush green spaces, and rich cultural heritage. While the city has all of the twentieth-century urban developments, it retains the appearance of a traditional African settlement. The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, in the heart of Lilongwe, provides a sanctuary for local wildlife seeking refuge. Other sights worth seeing include the Kumbali Cultural Centre, offering the opportunity to view traditional Malawian dancing and drumming; as well as the nearby Chongoni Rock Art Area featuring over 127 sites displaying ancient rock art.

Pricing

Cost includes

  • High Season 1 July - 31 October - US$4,430 pp
  • Low Season - 1 Nov - 30 June - US$4,170 pp
  • Includes:
  • Accommodation
  • Selected Meals
  • All Road Transfer
  • Selected Activities Available at Destinations

Cost excludes

  • All items of a personal nature
  • Visa Fees
  • PCR Test
  • International Flights

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

TANDALA NO KWANGALA – BEST OF MALAWI – 11 NIGHTS AND 12 DAYS