Zambia & Malawi (Option 2)

Day 1:
Upon your arrival into Kenneth Kanuda International Airport, you will be met by a dmAFRICA representative who will have a name board with your names. Your representative will assist you with immigration and customs clearing then check in for your onward flight to Royal Airstrip in the Lower Zambezi National Park.

At Royal Airstrip, you’ll be met by a representative from Chongwe River House, they will drive you to Chongwe River House, the journey taking approximately 20 minutes. The house itself looks onto the Chongwe River and is near the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi rivers with the mountains of escarpment to the North. The house in unique, built out of feral cement, following the lines of the natural wood, there are no straight lines to be seen.

Each room commands a spectacular view and has a bathroom with ‘waterfalls’ for showers. You’ll arrive in time for a delicious buffet lunch before heading out in the afternoon for your choice of game viewing in a 4x4 vehicle or head out for a boating experience on the famous Zambezi River. You’ll return to the Chongwe River House for an alfresco dinner and conversation around the campfire. Your overnight arrangements will be at the Chongwe River House on a full board basis

Day 2:
Today you can continue with game drives, or guide bush walks. Or you can opt to take advantage of the fantastic fishing opportunities that are available on the Zambezi River. The Zambezi River is home to one of the world’s premiere game fish, the tiger fish. The variety found in the Zambezi River; the Hydrocynus vittatus can grow up to 10 – 12 kilograms and is a superb fighter. A strict catch and release policy is to be adhered to.

Canoeing for a morning or even the whole day is another option which is well worth the effort – although an experienced guide will be with you and you can just float along if you wish. The Lower Zambezi is renowned for superb canoeing safaris – the most unobtrusive way to encounter big game. Your time is yours to decide how you wish to spend it and your hosts at Chongwe River House will follow your wishes.

Overnight you’ll be staying at the Chongwe River House on a full board basis.

Day 3:
Today you can enjoy a further day to take part in the various game viewing options that are available to you. You can choose to just relax within the camp and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. A sundowner boat trip can be the perfect end to your day! Overnight you will be staying at the Chongwe River House on a full board basis.

Day 4:
This morning, you’ll be transferred to the Royal Airstrip for your flight to Mfuwe International Airport. At the airport, you’ll be met by a guide from the Luangwa Safari House. The drive to the Luangwa Safari House is just under an hour, travelling through colourful local scenes of villages, agriculture as well as bush.

The Luangwa Safari House lies on the edge of a wonderful lagoon system – a highway for animals. The four bedrooms are all individually designed, large with fantastic views of the bush. The main sitting area is two storeys high and has an open view over the plunge pool and the lagoon.

Lunch will be served on the deck, stretching out into the lagoon area, so you’ll often be eating lunch with the elephants surrounding you. Depending on the time you arrive, in the day you’ll enjoy a lunch or if you arrive in the afternoon, you’ll enjoy tea followed by an afternoon and night game drive, returning for dinner at the Luangwa Safari House where you’ll be staying on a full board basis overnight.

Day 5:
During your stay at the Luangwa Safari House, how you chose to spend the days will be your choice. This is the benefit of staying at a private house! The usual day will start with breakfast at just after dawn. You’ll then head for a morning walk or game drive soon after, entering the park by boat from the camp or by the nearby pontoon. The game in this area is excellent and includes many herds of elephants! As well as the endemic species of giraffe, the Thornicroft Giraffe.

A mid-morning break of tea, coffee and cake will be taken by a scenic point on a lagoon or the Luangwa River. You’ll return to the house for lunch around mid-day. After lunch you can cool off in the pool or take a siesta. Tea will be served in the afternoon, you’ll then head off on an afternoon game drive that continues into the early night, giving you a chance to see the nocturnal activity of the game. Usually you’ll return to the camp at approximately 20:00 with dinner served at 20:30. Overnight you’ll be staying at the Luangwa Safari House on a full board basis.

Day 6:
Today will be at your leisure, spending another day enjoying the game viewing, you may also decide to go on an all day picnic. Taking a game scout with you, you’ll be able to enjoy a walk or explore further afield in the park. Lunch will be taken under a tree or next to a lagoon, after which you’ll be able to take a siesta or simply spend a couple of hours reading a book or watching the fascinating animals and landscape around you.

Returning to the house when you are ready, you may decide to continue straight on your evening game drive and return after sundowners. This is a very flexible day which can be adjusted to your wishes. With so much game coming past the house, you may choose to spend a morning in, booking a massage whilst you watch the elephant’s herds that may be nearby! Or again, you can head into the bush to explore. Alternatively you could visit the Kawaza Village in the community. Overnight you’ll be staying at the Luangwa Safari House on a full board basis.

Day 7:
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Mfuwe Airport, here you’ll connect with your flight to Lilongwe. The flight time to Lilongwe is approximately 50 minutes.

Upon arrival at Lilongwe’s Kamuzu Airport, you will be met by our staff who will assist you to your Pumulani flight. Pumulani is situated on the Westside of the Nankumba Peninsula on the South end of Lake Malawi – romantically called ‘The Lake of the Stars’.

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, elevated above the ground, providing some stunning views.

The central dinning and bar area is high above the lake with the most spectacular views and leads onto an expansive deck. On a deck below this, you’ll find an infinity swimming pool. The lake shore bar offers light snacks as well as refreshments. Meals will be served in the dining area, on the beach or even on your private deck if you arrange for it.

The stunning setting of the lodge and the unique comfort of the rooms means that many guests choose to make relaxation their main activity but there are enough activities available to keep all guests busy!

Overnight you’ll be staying at Pumulani on a full board basis.

Day 8:
Today you’ll enjoy your first full day of relaxation at Pumulani. The 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. Those who prefer to take a dive in the swimming pool can do in the infinity pool.

In terms of activities, you can indulge in activities such as: snorkeling, fishing, sailing, kayaking, water skiing and wake boarding. Motorized water activities are also available at an additional cost.

At the end of the day, you’ll board the Pumulani dhow and the crew will sail you into the sunset for a sundowner. After this, you’ll return to the Pumulani for your overnight arrangements on a full board basis.

Day 9 & 10:
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. Pumulani offers special diving courses at the best diving spots near one of the islands.

For those who are interested in the real Malawian village life, you can embark on a guided walk through one of the local villages. Malawians are renowned for being amongst the friendliest people in Africa and during your stay you have the opportunity to meet them. You can also simply relax in the beautiful and tranquil scenery or enjoy the many other activities on offer. Your overnight arrangements will be at Pumulani on a full board basis.

Day 11:
Today, after breakfast you’ll be transferred to Lilongwe to connect with your onward international arrangements home.

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