Best of Malawi's safari parks

MAJETE + LIWONDE + NKHOTAKOTA | MALAWI

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HANDCRAFTED EXPERIENTIAL SAFARIS

Trust us to find you the rarest animals, the most spectacular wildlife events, the remotest landscapes and deeply meaningful cultural encounters!

This best-of-Malawi safari takes you to the Big Five havens of Majete Wildlife Reserve and Liwonde National Park and the rugged wilderness of Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve.

The three parks are managed by African Parks - a non-profit conservation organisation - and the results of their effort are plain to see. These conservation success stories are what responsible travel is all about - come and find out for yourself and make a real difference where it counts.

And why not add on a few days after your safari to bask in the sun on an island in Lake Malawi?

3 parks, Big 5 and untrammelled wilderness

Overview

Length: 10 days / 9 nights
Group Size: To suit you
Location: Majete, Liwonde and Nkhotakota - Malawi
Departure Dates: from March to December - see details below

from US$ 4,265 per person sharing (10 days)

Prices & dates

Lodges visited: Thawale Lodge + Mvuu Camp + Rafiki Safari Camp

Dates

Cost per person sharing

17 Mar-Jun, Dec 2024

US$ 4,265

Jul-Nov 2024

US$ 4,475

*An additional $851 applies for those wishing to fly between Liwonde and Nkhotakota (return flights, per person - adult or child)

INCLUDES:

  • Accommodation as per itinerary. Accommodation subject to availability at date of booking.

  • All Meals as per itinerary

  • All excursions and entrance fees as per itinerary

  • All National Park fees

  • Point-to-point transfers

  • English speaking driver

EXCLUDES:

  • All flights ( international, regional or domestic ), airport & departure taxes (unless specifically mentioned in the program as included)

  • Any visa fees for clients

  • Travel and medical insurance

  • Drinks at Rafiki Safari, Mvuu camp & Thawale Lodge

  • Expenses of a personal nature

  • Gratuities

  • Any meals not mentioned in the itinerary

  • All optional activities and activities not mentioned above

Lodges visited: Mkulumadzi Lodge + Kuthengo Camp + Tongole Wilderness Lodge

Dates

Cost per person sharing

17 Mar-21 May, Nov-Dec 2024

US$ 5,925

22 May-Jun 2024

US$ 6,315

Jul-Oct 2024

US$ 7,285

*To fly the sectors Liwonde - Nkhotakota (return), an additional $851 per person (adult or child) is required

INCLUDES:

  • Accommodation as per itinerary. Accommodation subject to availability at date of booking.

  • All Meals as per itinerary

  • All excursions and entrance fees as per itinerary

  • All National Park fees

  • Point-to-point transfers

  • English speaking driver

  • Selected Drinks at Mkulumadzi Lodge & Kuthengo Camp

EXCLUDES:

  • All flights ( international, regional or domestic ), airport and departure taxes (unless specifically mentioned in the program as included)

  • Any visa fees for clients

  • Travel and medical insurance

  • Drinks at Tongole Wilderness Lodge

  • Premium drinks at Mkulumadzi Lodge & Kuthengo Camp

  • Expenses of a personal nature

  • Gratuities

  • Any meals not mentioned in the itinerary

  • All optional activities and activities not mentioned above

Lodges visited: Thawale Lodge + Mvuu Camp + Rafiki Safari Camp

Dates

Cost per person sharing

01 Jan-30 Jun, Dec

US$ 4,680

01 Jul-30 Nov

US$ 4,870

*An additional $1768 applies for those wishing to fly between Liwonde and Nkhotakota (return flights, per person - adult or child)

INCLUDES:

  • Accommodation as per itinerary. Accommodation subject to availability at date of booking.

  • All Meals as per itinerary

  • All excursions and entrance fees as per itinerary

  • All National Park fees

  • Point-to-point transfers

  • English speaking driver

EXCLUDES:

  • All flights ( international, regional or domestic ), airport & departure taxes (unless specifically mentioned in the program as included)

  • Any visa fees for clients

  • Travel and medical insurance

  • Drinks at Tongole, Rafiki Safari, Mvuu Camp & Thawale Lodge

  • Premium drinks at Mkulumadzi, Kuthengo

  • Expenses of a personal nature

  • Gratuities

  • Any meals not mentioned in the itinerary

  • All optional activities and activities not mentioned above

Lodges visited: Mkulumadzi Lodge + Kuthengo Camp + Tongole Wilderness Lodge

Dates

Cost per person sharing

01 Jan-21 May, 01 Nov-31 Dec

US$ 5,940

22 May-30 Jun

US$ 6,335

01 Jul-31 Oct

US$ 7,315

*To fly the sectors Liwonde - Nkhotakota (return), an additional $851 per person (adult or child) is required

INCLUDES:

  • Accommodation as per itinerary. Accommodation subject to availability at date of booking.

  • All Meals as per itinerary

  • All excursions and entrance fees as per itinerary

  • All National Park fees

  • Point-to-point transfers

  • English speaking driver

  • Selected Drinks at Mkulumadzi Lodge & Kuthengo Camp

EXCLUDES:

  • All flights ( international, regional or domestic ), airport and departure taxes (unless specifically mentioned in the program as included)

  • Any visa fees for clients

  • Travel and medical insurance

  • Drinks at Tongole, Rafiki, Mvuu Camp, Thawale Lodge

  • Premium drinks at Mkulumadzi Lodge & Kuthengo Camp

  • Expenses of a personal nature

  • Gratuities

  • Any meals not mentioned in the itinerary

  • All optional activities and activities not mentioned above

Itinerary

Upon arrival at Blantyre (Chileka Airport), you will be met by a local English-speaking representative. Your road transfer will take you through Blantyre and down the Chikwawa escarpment into the Shire Valley and Majete Wildlife reserve. Majete offers 700,000 ha (700km2) of Big 5 safari wildness to travellers who prefer off-the-beaten-track. Thanks to a flourishing joint venture between the Malawian government and African Parks, it is also one of Africa's greatest conservation success stories.

Included Meals: Dinner

Overnight: Budget option: Thawale Lodge or Mid-range option: Mkulumadzi Lodge

The 700km² (70,000-hectare) Majete Wildlife Reserve in southwestern Malawi is one of Africa’s greatest conservation success stories and a premier Big-5 safari destination.

READ MORE about Majete Wildlife Reserve.

Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Overnight: Budget option: Thawale Lodge or Mid-range option: Mkulumadzi Lodge

Majete Wildlife Reserve to Liwonde National Park (3 to 4 hours by road)

After breakfast, your scenic road transfer will take you back up the escarpment and then onto the Zalewa road towards Liwonde National Park. This portion of the Shire River is wider and more gently flowing. You will arrive at your lodge in time for lunch - with time to relax before your late afternoon/evening activity

Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Overnight: Budget option: Mvuu Camp or Mid-range option: Kuthengo Camp

The 548km2 (54,800 hectare) Liwonde National Park stretches along the banks of the Shire River in Malawi - just south of Lake Malombe and Lake Malawi. Verdant landscapes consist of riverine floodplains, woodlands, and arid savannas. This is a great comeback story - how a sustainable Big-5 safari destination was reclaimed from a poached wasteland.

READ MORE about Liwonde National Park

Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Overnight: Budget option: Mvuu Camp or Mid-range option: Kuthengo Camp

The road transfer from Liwonde National Park to Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve takes approximately 5 hours. The flight from Lilongwe to Nkhotakota is only possible from May to November.

Depart after early breakfast with packed lunch – with a short stop at Mua Mission - Ku’Ngoni Museum - a fascinating stop with opportunities to buy souvenirs. The transfer continues along the shore of Lake Malawi with a scenic stop for a picnic lunch.

Flying option: after your morning activity at Liwonde National Park you will be transferred by road to Lilongwe for your 2-hour late-morning flight to the Nkotakota airstrip and transferred by vehicle to your lodge.

Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Overnight: Budget option: Rafiki Safari Camp or Mid-range option: Tongole Wilderness Lodge

Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve is Malawi’s oldest and largest reserve - encompassing 1,800km2 (180,000 hectares) of wild and rugged terrain. It extends east from the edge of the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley to just five kilometres short of the shoreline of Lake Malawi. Nkhotakota is Africa at her most raw and beautiful, removed from the indignities of mass commercial tourism.

READ MORE about Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve

Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Overnight: Budget option: Rafiki Safari Camp or Mid-range option: Tongole Wilderness Lodge

Depending on your flight departure time, a 3.5-hour road transfer along Lake Malwai sore road takes you to Lilongwe airport for your departure flight.

For those flying from Nkhotakota, the flight time from the Nkhotakota airstrip is 45 minutes to Lilongwe, where you will be met on arrival and assisted onto your international departure flight.

Included Meals: Breakfast

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