Malawi Safaris: Best Of Central Africa Wing Safari

This safari combines 2 of the regions finest national parks for an unforgettable wildlife experience and finishes with a spell of luxury and relaxation on Lake Malawi.

Days 1 to 3: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Arrive into Lilongwe and met by a Wilderness Safaris representative and assisted onto light aircraft flight to Zambia. Flying time to Mfuwe is about 50 minutes. Met on arrival and transferred to your lodge.
Choice of lodges: Kafunta or Kalamu

Kafunta River Lodge is owner run and situated on the side of the Luangwa River with sweeping views over the floodplains to the Mchinje Escarpment in the distance and located a short drive from the main park gate. The 8 spacious raised chalets look out onto the South Luangwa River.

Chalets are made from thatch and wood and all have balconies, fans, bar fridges, tea & coffee facilities and en-suite bathrooms. The main bar/dining area surrounds a magnificent wild mango tree and also has great views over the river. Drives are taken in the park accessed by a pontoon across the Luangwa river as well as through the main park gate and walks are taken in the surrounding area which is excellent for giraffe & elephant sightings in particular.  The pool and hot tub are firm favourites!

3 nights of game drives with optional walks also in the dry season.

Kalamu Tented Camp is situated in the Luamfwa Concession in the southern sector of the South Luangwa National Park. Accommodation consists of 4 Meru-style tents, each en suite with an indoor and outdoor shower. The camp’s dining and bar area are under a canopy of trees overlooking the Luangwa River and there is a plunge pool. Activities include game drives and guided walks.

The South Luangwa National Park covers about 9 050 sq km of the Luangwa Valley floor, which varies from about 500m to 800m above sea level. Near the banks of the Luangwa the land is fairly flat, and mostly covered with mature woodlands. There are few dense shrubberies but also open areas where beautiful tall trees stand, shading a mixture of small bushes and grassland.

The highest concentration of wildlife is around the Luangwa River, with its rich vegetation. There are large herds of elephant and buffalo. Wildlife includes huge herds of elephant and buffalo.

The Park’s dominant antelope species are impala and puku, with other antelope seen including the common waterbuck, bushbuck, eland, kudu, grysbok, oribi, reedbuck, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, sable and roan.

Unique species such as Thornicroft’s giraffe and Cookson’s wildebeest can also be seen. There are also hippo and crocodile, and the main predators are lion, leopard, spotted hyaena and wild dogs. Cheetah can also be seen in the area.

The camp features 3 twin tents and 1 double tent – all ensuite with an indoor and outdoor shower.   The dining and bar area are under a canopy of trees overlooking the Luangwa River.  Dinners are served on the banks of the river or in the tented dining room.     The camp also features a plunge pool, perfect for a refreshing dip after a mornings game viewing activity.    A combination of walks and game drives can be enjoyed ranging from 2 – 3 hours. 

Included in the tariff at Kafunta River Lodge and Kalamu Tented Camp are: all meals, park entry fees and game viewing activities

Not included are drinks and optional walks

Days 4 and 5: Mvuu Wilderness Lodge Liwonde National Park
Transfer back to Malawi and then connect to onward charter flight to Mvuu in Liwonde National Park.

Mvuu Wilderness Lodge is situated in the heart of Liwonde National Park on the banks of a quiet lagoon flowing off the Shire River. The lodge offers comfortable tented accommodation in spacious ‘Hemingway’-styled safari tents, with own en suite facilities for a maximum of 10 guests. Each tent has its own private viewing platform and is discreetly hidden between the thick undergrowth bordering the lagoon.  The lodge has a swimming pool, sun deck and al fresco-dining platform overlooking the river and lagoon.  Your stay on is on a full board basis, including the game activities, which centre around game drives by day and by night in open vehicles, walks and boat safaris, a unique activity at Mvuu. We explore the Shire River and lagoons - an excellent opportunity for sightings of elephants, hippo, crocodile and bird life. Birding is rewarding - specialities include Lillian’s lovebird, brown breasted barbet, osprey, palmnut vulture, Pel's fishing owl and Livingstone’s flycatcher.

Also available is a viewing hide on a tributary of the Shire River and also some interesting visits by bicycle to the local school and surrounding rural communities.

Included in the tariff at Mvuu Lodge are: all meals, park entry fees and game viewing activities

Not included are drinks

Days 6 and 7: Kaya Mawa Lodge Likoma Island 
After a morning game activity and breakfast depart by light aircraft to Likoma, flying over Lake Malawi and the scenic waters of the Cape Maclear Peninsula and the rugged uninhabited coastline and stunning forests of Mozambique..The flight duration is approximately 1 hour.  Met on arrival where a boat will be waiting to transfer you round the island to the Lodge. This portion of the itinerary will give you 2 days of swimming, relaxing, culture and history.

Likoma is the larger of 2 small islands situated in the far north of Lake Malawi and is well over on the east of the Lake very close to Mozambique.  Its first contact with the outside world was with the English Missionaries of the Universities Missions of Central Africa, who had followed the original Scottish Presbyterian Missionaries into this part of Africa and chose Likoma Island as a suitable and safe place for a base .The island thus remained under the protection of the British and eventually became a part of independent Malawi in 1964.

To visit the island is to step back in time. Just 17 sq kilometers with one small dirt road and 6 vehicles, the local population survives largely by fishing, and rice and cassava farming.  The island has hundreds of huge baobab trees and a number of glorious sandy beaches and rocky coves-the waters are crystal clear throughout the year and the diving and snorkeling is among the best in Lake Malawi. The feeling of being of another era is completed by the impressive Anglican Cathedral built in the early 1900s.

Each cottage faces the lake and has a 7-foot by 6-foot mahogany 4 poster bed, a shower, a sunken stone bath tub and a loo with a view.  All the cottages have private terraces with direct access to the water and some can only be reached by walkways built over the lake.

Activities at Kaya Mawa

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 enough activities are on offer to keep guests busy.

Walking or biking around the island.
This is one activity you simply should not miss. Likoma is 100% safe and the local population is legendary both for its friendliness and its curiosity-a simple unescorted stroll around the island perhaps with a knapsack full of cold drinks and a few snacks is a wonderful experience-you can stop off to swim en route, engage the locals in conversation and visit the cathedral and the lively market nearby.

Swimming and snorkeling
The waters around the lodge are safe and clear—some of the best snorkeling on the island is right at the lodge-snorkels and masks are provided. Alternatively there is a rock swimming pool right by the bar.

Motorized water sports
Water-skiing, tube riding and wake snaking are offered as well as fishing trips.

Sailing safaris
The lodge has a small wooden skip for journeys around the island.

Please note that diving can only be offered to qualified persons who can be accompanied by a Dive Master, as there is no diving instructor on the island.

Included in the tariff at Kaya Mawa are all meals, non-motorized water sports activities and laundry.

Not included are drinks , diving, guided activities and motorised water sports activities

Day 8: Transfer back to the airstrip by boat or walk for flight back to Lilongwe. Met on arrival and assisted with check in for your onward flight.

Luangwa Valley: Kafunta River Lodge  . Other camps quoted on request.

Liwonde National  Park: Mvuu Lodge

Lake Malawi: Kaya Mawa Lodge

NOTES FOR BOCA

1. Minimum two guests – there is room for up to 5 in the aircraft so the cost will reduce slightly as the numbers increase.
2. Other camps in Luangwa Valley are available on request and package cost will be revised accordingly.
3. Inclusive of accommodation, all meals, all activities in game areas, park entry fees, all air transfers, laundry in Mvuu and Luangwa, non-motorised water sports at Kaya Mawa, drinks whilst staying at Kafunta in the high season only.

Excludes the international airport departure taxes (US$30 when departing Malawi and US$25 when departing Zambia), drinks, and motorised water sports at Kaya Mawa. diving.  Also excludes any visa costs.