At a GlanceItineraryDetail

Driving holiday in Malawi

This short holiday explores southern Malawi at your own place, with private car and driver-guide (or self-drive if prefer). It takes in all the best bits of southern Malawi and shows the wonderful wealth of natural beauty that this part of Africa holds. The pace is gentle and includes opportunites to walk and join other activities which are all flexible. The driver-guide is with you throughout to offer suggestions and to bring local knowledge to this warm and friendly corner of Africa.

Tea pluckers with Mulanje Mountain behind

This itinerary can begin any day.

Please note this itinerary can also be arranged as a self-drive.

Day 1 -Drive to Mulanje Mountain

Collected from your accommodation in Lilongwe at 10.30 and drive via Thyolo and the tea estates close to Mulanje Mountain. Picnic lunch en route and arrive at the lodge early afternoon. Late afternoon orientation talk at the forestry office. Return to Likhubula Lodge for overnight. It has 5 bedrooms, of which 2 are en suite.

P, D & B

Day 2 – Explore Mulanje Mountain

In the morning take a walk to the waterfall and spend time exploring the surrounding area. Return to the lodge for lunch. Afternoon walk along the river bank and perhaps take a dip in one of the numerous pools.

FB.

Elephant in Liwonde National Park

Day 3 – Lujeri tea estates

Today there is the opportunity to walk away from the mountain and explore the surrounding tea estates. Perhaps drive through the village towards Lujeri tea estates and walk around the estate. Lunch at the golf club or visit the town market and Mount Mulanje Conservation Trust – your guide will be on hand to discuss the options and tailor the day to your liking; this can be done the preceding evening.

FB.

Day 4 – Off to Liwonde National Park

From Mulanje drive over the Palombe plain towards Zomba. Picnic lunch en route and then head to the west entrance to Liwonde National Park. Mvuu Camp is on the East bank of the Shire River and has spacious chalets. There’s a restaurant nearby in the main building and a large swimming pool. Game viewing is available in safari 4×4 vehicles, on foot or a boat safari. The river safaris are a wonderful way to watch the exceptionally large hippo pods and great herds of elephant which come to the Shire to drink and bathe. Liwonde is pristine wilderness: there’s a great range of wildlife to see including rare black rhino and some really large crocodiles in the river. For birdwatchers, Liwonde is a ‘must visit’ game park containing over 400 species. Overnight Mvuu Camp FB, including safari drives, river boat and walks.

Day 5 – Explore Liwonde National Park

Full day in Liwonde; safari activities included.

FB.

Lake Malawi sunset

Day 6 – Drive to Lake Malawi

From Mvuu it’s an easy 2 hrs drive to Cape Maclear on the shore of Lake Malawi. Eagle’s Nest is right on the shore and offers en suite rooms with mosquito nets and ceiling fans as standard in all rooms. Chalets are lake-facing with a patio to watch the sunset. They guarantee the most relaxing experience in Cape Maclear – a brave boast! Overnight Lodge.

D, B&B. Non-motorized watersports are included.

Day 7 – Explore Lake Malawi

Day on the lake – as active or as relaxed as you wish – Overnight at the lodge. D,B&B.

Day 8 – Dedza pottery and Dzalanyama forest reserve

From the lake, head up the escarpment via Dedza then on to Dzalanyma Forest. Lunch at the popular Dedza Pottery (the cheesecake has an international following !). Arrive at the house is early afternoon with time to walk to either the nearby school or a mountain-top with spectacular views across the surrounding plains. Dzalanyama Forest House is set in the heart of the Dzalanyama Forest Reserve. The forest, largely brachystegia, covers a steep-sided mountain range, which forms the border with Mozambique. Accommodation is in the timber-frame house that was transported from its original site by Lake Malawi and reconstructed in the forest. A great deal of work has been done on the building to make it a simple but comfortable guesthouse. There are three twin-bedded and one double room, each with fitted washbasin. There’s a shared bathroom and toilet. Dzalanyama is justly famous for its quite extraordinary range of birdlife. If ever a location deserved the description of a birdwatcher’s paradise, this is it. Other wildlife includes leopard, hyena, various species of antelope and baboon. This is a charming and peaceful place to get back to unspoilt nature and relax at the end of your journey.

B, P & D.

Lined-up piglets!

Day 9

Today we’ll co-ordinate your departure to get you back to Lilongwe airport in time for your return flight to London or on to your next part of your tailor made holiday adventure!

Legend	B	Breakfast
	P	Picnic Lunch
	D	Dinner
	FB	Full Board – provided by Lodge

Includes

Accommodation as per above schedule, meals as indicated, activities as indicated, services of private guide throughout; private vehicle, all fuel, tolls & taxes.