Majete Wildlife ReserveLiwonde National ParkNkhotakota Wildlife Reserve Nyika National ParkLake Malawi

Malawi is a country known for its stunning wildlife reserves and beautiful national parks and lakes. A tour of the country’s Majete Wildlife Reserve, Liwonde National Park, Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, Nyika National Park, and Lake Malawi promises to be a delightful experience for nature lovers. These destinations provide an opportunity to witness various wildlife, including elephants, leopards, lions, antelopes, and bird species, in their natural habitat. With breathtaking landscapes and a rich cultural heritage, This Grand Tour is a must for anyone wanting to experience a true safari.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Daily Safaris in Parks
  • Big 5 Spotting
  • Water activities in Lake Malawi
  • Learn about tea production
  • Digital Detox

What’s included

  • Private tours for most included activities
  • Meet & greet airport service
  • Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
  • Expert guides in each destination

flexibility

This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.

21

Nights

Price Guide

$16,500 – $20,500 pp

Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more

Day 1

Fly to Malawi

plan line
Day 2-4

Majete Wildlife Reserve

Welcome to Malawi! On arrival at Chileka International Airport you will be met by a guide who will welcome and transfer you to Thawale Camp situated right within Majete Wildlife Reserve, one of the outstanding success stories of African conservation. You will spend three nights of your tour here.

Situated on the edge of a beautiful clearing with a natural waterhole, Thawale is a rustic haven that offers guests the opportunity to experience the Big 5. The accommodation is comfortable and spacious, and you can enjoy the views over the watering hole where plenty of elephants and other wildlife come to drink, from the comfort of your private veranda.

Malawi - The Grand Tour
Malawi - The Grand Tour
Day 4-6

Satemwa Tea Estate

Today you will rise and go on your last activity in Majete Wildlife Reserve before being jetted off to the stunning Satemwa Tea Estates. You will be transferred to the wonderful home, Huntingdon House for the next 2 nights.

Go for guided walks around the estates, play croquet on the lawn, take a tour of the coffee factory and do some tea tasting. Don’t forget to take a trip up to the picnic spot for sundowners for a birds eye view of the estate and far beyond.

You can even take a day trip to Mount Mulanje and do some hiking before heading back to the house to enjoy a home cooked meal and a tea/coffee related cocktail by the fire in the drawing room.

Day 6-8

Zomba Plateau

Today you will be transferred to Zomba Forest Lodge in Zomba Forest for your 2 night stay here.

The atmosphere here at this owner run lodge is intimate, cosy and friendly. The owners want to make sure that you have a great time, whatever you wish to do, whether that is hiking, horse riding or spending your day relaxing listening to the sounds of the forest. The property is completely run without any electricity so enjoy a digital detox or make sure that any electronic items are charged prior to arrival.

Malawi - The Grand Tour
Malawi - The Grand Tour
Day 8-11

Liwonde National Park

Today you will be transferred to the Shire River where you will be met by the Mvuu Camp staff and transferred via boat to your home for the next 3 nights.

You will settle into your room on arrival and rest. That afternoon you will be taken on your first game drive to explore the wildlife of Liwonde National Park. After your activity you will be brought back to the camp in time to freshen up before enjoying delicious three-course dinner.

Up bright and early the next morning for your morning activity, choose from game drives or boating safaris! After your activity, hop in the swimming pool or do some birding on your private deck before lunch. After lunch, why not have a siesta or read a book by the pool before your evening activity. Game drive and dinner and a good nights’ sleep lay ahead.

Day 11-13

Ntchisi Forest

This morning you will rise early for a short drive if you wish, and your boat transfer back to your guide and vehicle, where you will be transferred to The Commonage in Ntchisi Forest for the next 2 nights of your trip. The Commonage is a forward thinking place located in the last indigenous rainforest of Malawi, combining sustainable tourism and specialty coffee with the protection and reforestation of Ntchisi Forest. The Commonage gives you the chance to stay overnight, enjoy the rainforest, relax, recharge, and get in contact with the people and products of the region.

Malawi - The Grand Tour
Malawi - The Grand Tour
Day 13-15

Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve

Today you will go from one wooded area to another. Your guide will transfer you north to your accommodation in the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, where you will stay for the next 2 nights.
Tongole Wilderness Lodge is the only high-end lodge in Nkhotakota and with breathtaking views over the beautiful Bua River, it provides a truly exceptional experience in this pristine region. Paddle the waters of the Bua on a canoe safari, walk through the bush, go on a game drive or do some birding from the lodge.
Indulge in their luxurious, open-plan suites that offer the perfect relaxing retreat after an exciting day of exploration. The dining experience at Tongole is often rated as ‘the best in the country’!

Day 15-18

Nyika National Park

This morning you will rise and be transferred to the Nkhotakota Airstrip for your private charter to Nyika National Park. From the airstrip here you will be met by your guide from Chelinda Lodge to transfer you to the beautiful Chelinda for the next 3 nights of your trip.

Compared to the ‘Scottish highlands’ in Africa, Nyika National Park has plenty of plains game, hyenas and even the occasional lion and leopard. The park is fabulous for walking safaris, cycling, fly fishing in the numerous freshwater dams and is famed for its spectacular birdlife, like the bar-tailed trogon.

After a day of exciting activities, spend the evening curled up in front of the roaring fire. Enjoy a sumptuous three-course meal before retiring to your cosy cabin for a bath in the claw-foot bathtub and enjoy the flames in your own fireplace.

Malawi - The Grand Tour
Malawi - The Grand Tour
Day 18-22

Likoma Island

Off to the Lake we go! Early rise today as you will be transferred to back to the Nyika Airstrip for your private charter flight to the incredible Likoma Island. Settle into your gorgeous chalet at Pure Likoma and take a dip in the warm waters of Lake Malawi.

Take advantage of all the exciting water-based activities like kayaking, snorkelling, or a sunset cruise. A must see is St Peter’s Cathedral. Said to be the same size as Winchester Cathedral. Its stained-glass windows, crumbling masonry and sheer scale are testament to the zeal of its missionary creators’ religious conviction.

Climb the tower for spectacular views. If you’re lucky you might meet the charming verger, who’ll happily give you a tour, and you’re welcome to join in the vibrant service on a Sunday morning. You will stay here for the last 4 nights of your trip.

Day 22

Fly home

A note on price

The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.

Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).

Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.

Price Guide $16,500 – $20,500 per person

When to travel

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec

For most people, the dry (winter) season is most attractive (i.e. April/May to October/November). The chance of rain is slim, daytime temperatures are generally pleasant (in the 20s Celsius), and the low vegetation and limited availability of water mean that game viewing is at its best. However, some of the best bird watching can be had from November to April, and the orchids of Nyika are best seen from December to March/April.

Malawi’s temperatures are moderated by altitude. In the hottest month (usually November) maximum temperatures will be around 30°C. In the coldest month (probably July) maximum temperatures will be in the low 20’s. On the uplands (e.g. Zomba, Nyika and Viphya) it can be quite cold at night. The hottest area, all year, is that at the lowest altitude – the Lower Shire Valley. Rainfall is scarce in the dry season, and even in the so-called wet season, the rains are usually short-lived storms, as is typical of the tropics, and at no time does the climate severely inhibit the traveller. Around the country, rainfall varies, with the highlands causing the highest figures.

Add on’s

There are a multitude of add on holiday options to this Malawi itinerary, for example you could head to Zambia and visit Victoria Falls and Livingstone, or spend a few days in Cape Town or Johannesburg and soak up South African urban culture.

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