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8-Day Southern Malawi Explorer

Customisable Itinerary
5.0 • (1 review)

Trip Overview

The Southern Malawi Explorer offers the very best activities and showcases key wilderness areas and highlights in the south of the country.

In just one week, you'll learn about the astounding natural bounty of southern Malawi and the history that comes with it. From Lilongwe, the capital, you'll discover Liwonde National Park which promises amazing safari experiences following the Shire River.

You'll finish your time in Lake Malawi National Park on the remote island of Mumbo where your time eco-camp is the only sign of human life. This camp focuses on leaving as little footprint as possible. Your time here will be spent kayaking, hiking and maybe even scuba diving to see the natural wonderland of Lake Malawi, one of Africa's Great Lakes.
Outdoors & Nature
Diving
Adventure

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Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Southern Malawi!

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Welcome to Southern Malawi!

Today you embark on your journey to southern Malawi. You will be transferred to Heuglin’s Lodge in the heart of the capital city. This afternoon you may want to visit the Lilongwe wildlife centre, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre that provides a tour of the rescued animals. Alternatively, you can visit Kumbali Cultural Village.

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    Accommodation

    Heuglin's Lodge

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    Activities

    Free Time in LilongweOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Lilongwe International Airport to Heuglin's Lodge

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    Meals

    Dinner

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    Destinations

    Lilongwe

Day 2

Mvuu Lodge & Evening Safari

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Mvuu Lodge & Evening Safari

After breakfast, you'll take a four-hour journey to Mvuu Lodge. An evening game drive in Liwonde National Park is the ideal way to spot the park's nocturnal inhabitants such as lions and cheetahs stalking their prey. You will stop in a safe location to enjoy the sunset with drinks and snacks mid-way through the safari drive.

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    Accommodation

    Mvuu Camp

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Liwonde National Park Evening Game Drive

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Heuglin's Lodge to Chelinda Lodge

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Lilongwe

    Southern Region

Day 3

Liwonde National Park Safari Activities

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Liwonde National Park Safari Activities

Travel through Liwonde's incredibly diverse landscapes in a well maintained open-sided 4×4 vehicle in search of equally diverse wildlife. On the evening game drives, you can enjoy sundowners at an idyllic spot in the bush before heading out in the dark in search of the varied nocturnal wildlife that calls the park home. As an alternative, nature walks allow you to get closer to the flora and fauna in the park.

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    Accommodation

    Mvuu Camp

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    Activities

    Guided Walk in Liwonde National Park

    Liwonde National Park

    Evening Game Drive with Sundowners in LiwondeOptional Activity

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    Restaurants

    Boma Dinner at Mvuu Lodge

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    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Southern Region

Day 4

Bush Breakfast, Boat Safari & Cocktails

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Bush Breakfast, Boat Safari & Cocktails

Start the day with a bush breakfast in the heart of Liwonde National Park, amidst the pristine wilderness and beautiful natural surroundings. The highlight of any stay at Mvuu is a boat safari on the Shire River which provides the perfect opportunity to get close to pods of hippos, elephants (sometimes found in herds of hundreds), crocodiles and a variety of birds. Finish your day with cocktails or mocktails by the pool.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Mvuu Camp

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Boat Safari in Liwonde National Park

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    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Southern Region

Day 5

Mumbo Island Camp & Sunset Cruise

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Mumbo Island Camp & Sunset Cruise

This morning, transfer to Cape Maclear where a short boat ride will take you to Mumbo Island Camp, on a pristine, deserted island 10 kilometres off the Cape Maclear Peninsula. The waters surrounding the island are part of Lake Malawi National Park, the world’s first freshwater park. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the clear waters and finish the day with a relaxing sunset cruise on Lake Malawi.

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    Accommodation

    Mumbo Island Camp

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Swimming around Mumbo Island

    Lake Malawi Sunset Boat CruiseOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Mvuu Lodge to Cape Maclear

    Boat from Cape Maclear to Mumbo Island

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    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

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    Destinations

    Southern Region

    Central Region

Day 6

Kayaking & Snorkelling in Lake Malawi

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Kayaking & Snorkelling in Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi supports over 2,000 species of freshwater fish – a greater variety than any other lake on Earth. Snorkelling through the crystal-clear waters allows you to see some of these, many of which are endemic to the lake. You can also kayak around the island or go further afield to nearby Domwe and other granitic islands that are part of the national park.

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    Accommodation

    Mumbo Island Camp

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    Activities

    Kayaking in Mumbo Island

    Snorkelling in Mumbo Island

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    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

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    Destinations

    Central Region

Day 7

Nature trails, Kayaking & Scuba Diving on Lake Malawi

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Nature trails, Kayaking & Scuba Diving on Lake Malawi

There are five nature trails on Mumbo Island, winding their way through the little forest that covers the island. They are clearly marked and can be done without a guide to learn more about this remote island. Mumbo Island Camp is a PADI-registered resort offering beginner, advanced and speciality courses in scuba diving to explore the might Lake Malawi it sits on. Its astounding underwater diversity awaits its divers with numerous diving spots to explore.

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    Accommodation

    Mumbo Island Camp

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Nature Trails in Mumbo Island

    Kayaking in Mumbo Island

    Scuba Diving in Mumbo IslandOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Central Region

Day 8

Departure

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Departure

Today you depart from Southern Malawi. You will be transferred by boat and by road from Mumbo Island to Chileka International Airport in time for your departure.

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    Transportations

    Boat from Mumbo Island to Cape Maclear

    Private Driver from Cape Maclear to Chileka International Airport

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    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Central Region

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What’s included?

  • 7 nights accommodation
  • 9 activities
  • 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners
  • Airport transfer

What’s not included?

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • Ground transportation
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Licensed English speaking guides
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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