After arrival at the airport, you will be met and taken to Majete Wildlife Reserve. Long neglected, Majete has been the scene of an impressive relocation program. To date, 2,559 animals from 14 species have been reintroduced, including the Big Five: leopard, elephant, buffalo, black rhino, and lion. Other mammals reintroduced were eland, sable, waterbuck, nyala, hartebeest, impala, zebra, warthog, and bushpig. This makes Majete one of the only reserves in Malawi where the Big 5 can be viewed all year round. You will check in at Thawale Lodge, situated within the park in the Shire Valley, and in the afternoon (time-dependent), you will go on your first shared afternoon safari drive to look out for all those mentioned animals.
Driving time: ~2 hours
You will have a morning and an afternoon shared safari drive included. Apart from land animals, you can also see aquatic animals like hippos and crocodiles, which can be found near the river. Between activities, you can look out onto the lodges' waterhole and see animals that come to drink.
Enjoy a last morning activity in Majete Wildlife Reserve before you make your way further north to Liwonde National Park, where you check in at Mvuu Camp. Mvuu Camp overlooks a broad stretch of the Shire River. The camp is a mix of stone and canvas chalets and specially designed family tents, with a total of 14 units. An impressive thatched dining and lounge area is situated between two enormous baobabs, and dinners are sometimes held under the stars in a specially constructed boma. After settling in, enjoy your first afternoon safari activity.
Driving time: ~5 hours
Morning and afternoon shared safari activity. Liwonde is not a Big 5 park but offers a more varied safari experience, as you can do game drives, walks as well as boat cruises on the river Shire from here. Wildlife includes quite large numbers of elephants, and the river attracts countless hippos and crocodiles. Antelope include kudu, sable and bushbuck. There are leopards and hyenas, and the occasional visiting lion. Black rhino has been re-introduced. Birdlife is exceptionally varied. The river attracts fish eagles, and weaver birds build their nests in the thin woodland. Pel’s fishing owl is often seen at dusk along the river’s edge.
Enjoy a last-morning safari activity in Liwonde before you head on to Lake Malawi. You will stay in one of the 11 chalets at Chembe Eagles Nest, a simplistic beach resort in Cape Maclear/Chembe with lake and hill views. Cape Maclear is located on the Nankumba Peninsula, at the southern end of Lake Malawi. Surrounded by forested mountains, it’s known for the sandy beaches and granite rocks of Lake Malawi National Park.
Driving time: ~5 hours
At Chembe Eagles Nest, you can simply relax and sunbathe or choose to be active and go boating, fishing, swimming in the pool or the lake, or walking on the beach (motorised activities are at additional charges). Enjoy sitting around the campfire in the evening while listening to the local music.
Have a last breakfast with a view of Lake Malawi before you will be taken back to Blantyre, where your Malawi adventure ends.
Driving time: ~4.5 hours
