Southern Malawi Wildlife - Small Group, Escorted Safari August 2023 1 SPACE LEFT

Day notes

After passing through immigration and collecting our bags, we will be met by our guide and transferred to Leslie Lodge.

Leslie Lodge is a beautiful, homely lodge run by Ray and Lynne Finch who have lived in Blantyre for 37 years. The lodge is situated in the quiet suburb of Mount Pleasant, a short distance from the town centre and is an ideal place to relax after our flight and get a good night's sleep before heading off on safari.

Day notes

After a relaxing breakfast, we leave Blantyre and head down to Majete Wildlife Reserve and Thawale Lodge in time for lunch and an afternoon activity. 

Majete is a Wildlife Reserve nestled in the south-western part of Malawi, managed by African Parks.  Over 5,000 animals of 17 species have been reintroduced including Black Rhino, elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, Wild Dog, Sable antelope, and buffalo. The restocking of the park has led to Majete becoming a 'Big Five' reserve, and Malawi's premier wildlife destination.  

In a prime location, Thawale lodge is set on the edge of a pristine waterhole that regularly attracts a wide variety of wildlife, including a family of elephants that often frequent the area. Within the reserve boundaries, the lodge is completely unfenced to give guests a unique experience in the natural surroundings, with the tented chalets looking out onto the waterhole.

Activities include game drives, walking safaris and boat safaris (depending on water levels in the park)

Day notes

After breakfast we drive back through Blantyre and then onto the rolling tea estates of Thyolo.

Chawani Buglaow is a private cottage located on Satemwa Tea Estate.  Sited on the slopes of Thyolo Mountain, this historic tea planters' bungalow is a relaxed, retreat surrounded by some of our rare protected subtropical rainforests which are home to a variety of endemic and special species of birds making the property an ideal choice for birding enthusiasts.   We will bring supplies fromBlantyre and have our own house team to prepare our meals whilst we stay here.  ​With its beautiful manicured gardens and panoramic views, Chawani has been sensitively maintained to retain the rustic character and charm; it is typical of farm living and what it may lack in design features, it more than makes up for in character.

During our time here, our guide will take us hiking and birdwatching.  An ornithologists' paradise, the varied vegetation on the estate provides ideal habitats for a variety of Malawi's bird species including the little-known bird of Africa’s disappearing montane evergreen forests; the Thyolo Alethe.  Found in the estate's protected patches of indigenous forests  and listed as an endangered species.

Other activities are available including tea tasting and coffee tours (these can be booked with the lodge directly).

Day notes

We drive up through Limbe and past Zomba with a stop en-route at the museum and continue up to Liwonde. We will enjoy lunch en-route in Zomba and arrive at camp in the mid-afternoon.  Located on a large open plain stretching towards the Shire River, Kuthengo is nestled among Fever Trees and Baobabs.  Isolated from the outside world, this is a wild and natural paradise.

Liwonde National Park is the home of incredible wildlife translocations and reintroductions, which has seen predators restored to the park for the first time in two decades.   It has some of the best river-based elephant, crocodile, hippo and general wildlife viewing in Africa and is home to the rare and critically endangered black rhino.  It's also a bird watchers delight with easy viewing of Pel’s Fishing Owl, Bohms Bee-eaters, Lillian’s Love Birds, and Livingstone’s Flycatcher.

Activities include game drives, boat safaris and walking safaris.

Day notes

Head across the river and meet back with our guide to continue our journey up through Lilongwe.  We stop for lunch in the city and then continue on to Dzalanyama Forest Lodge in time for tea.

We will have our last night here.  It's a place to relax in the forest and head out for a walk to explore.

The forest is an important habitat for miombo birdlife and is a favourite for ornithologists where rare species like the olive-headed weaver, miombo pied barbet, Boulder Chat, White Tailed Flycatcher, Black Eared Seedeater, Stierling’s Woodpecker. The variety of flora is interesting and includes some wonderful ferns and epiphytic orchids.

Day notes

A leisurely start to the morning with breakfast.  

Transfer back to Lilongwe (2 hours' drive) to catch your international flight home.