Welcome to Malawi! Upon landing at Blantyre (Chileka) International Airport you will be met by one of our cheerful and trusted guides who will transfer you to Zomba Forest Lodge. You will spend the next two nights of your tour here. Tomorrow you will be taken on a guided walk on Zomba Plateau.
The house sits in 20 acres of stunning gardens and mixed woodland, varying from indigenous rainforest in the valley by the stream, to pine on the slopes and giant eucalyptus trees overhanging the garden. There are 3.5km on nature trails and a huge variety of birds, including the rare yellow-throated and White-winged apalis, Bertram’s weaver and the double-coloured forest sunbird feeding from the flowers mere inches from the veranda, a real treat for the eyes.
Today you will be transported to the majesty of Mulanje Massif for your grand 3 day / 2 night guided mountain hike.
Mount Mulanje has the highest peak in South-Central Africa - 'Sapitwa Peak' reaches a towering 3,002m. It is a huge, isolated massif with 20 peaks of more than 2,500m rising out of a disjointed plateau. The west face of Chambe offers the longest rock climb in the whole of Africa - 1,700m of sheer cliff.
Mount Mulanje is the best known and most popular mountain area in Malawi. The peaks are steep and rocky, and range in difficulty from moderate hikes to technical scrambles. There are 10 huts on the mountain that provide shelter for all hikers, and several well-marked trails up to the plateau and between the huts. Local guides and porters are found in the surrounding villages. The best time to visit Mount Mulanje is April to November, though excursions during the other months of the year are also possible.
Today you will descend the last of the mountain back to Likhubula House, where you will be met by your guide and transferred to the Shire River to catch a short boat trip across the river to Mvuu Camp in the Liwonde National Park. Go on a game drive or a boat safari or simply relax and rest your feet by the pool before your SHIRE RIVER TRAIL begins tomorrow.
This trail covers an approximate distance of 30km over the course of two and a half days, offering many interesting features and sights and hikers can expect to see a variety of the park’s resident species. The distance may vary depending on game movements and local conditions. The terrain is occasionally challenging and as this is essentially a bush walk, it will involve constant stopping to learn about tracks, habitats, birds and wildlife.
The game that is seen en route is dependent on the time of year and the duration of the previous rainy season. A good, long rainy season will mean that there is surface water remaining in the floodplains, causing the park’s game, particularly its famous herds of elephant, to be dispersed well into the park’s interior and woodlands. A poor, short rainy season will mean that the woodlands will have less game and larger numbers of wildlife can only be seen closer to the river.
Located within the tropics and on the floor of the Great African Rift Valley, Liwonde National Park is home to a wide diversity of habitats and an amazing variety of wildlife, birdlife and vegetation. The park’s single most well-known feature, the mighty Shire River flows from north to south through the park and into Lake Malawi, where it eventually joins the Zambezi River in Mozambique.
Along the banks of the Shire is a mixture of expansive floodplains, grasslands and lagoons densely populated by thriving wildlife ranging from pods of hippos and crocodiles, to herds of elephant, impala, kudu, buffalo, waterbuck and warthog who frequent the river banks during the drier months.
For the duration of the trail, guests are only expected to carry their own day pack with food, water, medication, a lightweight jacket and a camera. Any extra baggage will be carried between camps by porters, who will go on ahead of the group of hikers. The trail will be led by a well-trained field guide, who will be accompanied by an armed scout.
SRT Day 1 of 3: The day starts with a half-an-hour drive from Mvuu Camp, to the Nafiulu Hills, located in the central east side of the park. The trail starts at the foot of these hills, from where the ascent stretches for a distance of about 11km, yielding sweeping views of the surrounding Miombo woodland. This part of the trail is quite rocky and challenging underfoot. Specialist game that could be found in this area includes klipspringers and a variety of other flora and fauna. Heading west from the hills, the trail leads to the banks of the Mwalasi River, a watercourse that only flows in the wet seasons, but leaves behind pools and waterholes which are frequented by the parks’ herds of sable and elephant.
SRT Day 2 of 3: This part of the trail which leads from the Mwalasi River to the Shire River, stretches for another 11km and is on flat terrain all the way. Passing through the mopane woodland, into the expansive floodplains of the Shire, sightings of warthog, buffalo, as well as large herds of impala, waterbuck and kudu can be expected. The last few kilometres covered on this day will be right along the river bank, where wonderful sightings of birdlife, pods of hippos and crocodiles can be enjoyed.
You will wind up your adventure in the Warm Heart of Africa, at Lake Malawi. After your morning walk you will be transferred to Cape Maclear on the southern shores of Lake Malawi to connect with your boat transfer to Mumbo Island Lodge. You will stay here for the last two nights of your tour.
Mumbo Island Lodge is nestled on Mumbo Island, an unspoiled paradise under the protection of Lake Malawi National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Wake up to the sounds of nature, and Lake Malawi, with birds chirping. The lodge has a range of activity options to suit individuals, couples, families and friends. Take a gentle walk around the island - don't forget your binos! Kayak round the island, snorkel, scuba, take a dip in the crystal clear waters of the lake or just sit on your private veranda to relax.
Say goodbye to Malawi and the Lake of Stars as you're transferred by boat back to the mainland. Here you will be met by your same guide and transported to Lilongwe (Kamuzu) International Airport for your onward flight home.
END OF TOUR.
