Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris combine intimate wildlife, Great Migration, lake relaxation, and cultural experiences in one rewarding trip.
Combining Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris offers travelers a unique opportunity to experience two very different yet complementary destinations in one trip. Malawi is renowned for its intimate wildlife reserves such as Liwonde and Majete, where boat safaris along the Shire River bring you close to elephants, hippos, and birdlife without the crowds often found in larger parks. Beyond the reserves, Lake Malawi provides a refreshing contrast with its crystal-clear waters, offering activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and village visits. This quieter, more personal safari style makes Malawi an excellent starting point for travelers who want to ease into Africa’s wilderness while enjoying both wildlife and cultural connections.
Tanzania, on the other hand, delivers scale and drama with its vast savannahs and world-famous reserves. The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater showcase the Great Migration, predator-prey interactions, and dense populations of the Big Five, while southern parks like Nyerere and Ruaha offer remote, wild experiences. By combining Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris, travelers gain the best of both worlds: the exclusivity and intimacy of Malawi alongside the grandeur and diversity of Tanzania. This pairing ensures a balanced itinerary, blending relaxation and adventure, and creating a richer, more rewarding safari experience across East and Southern Africa
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Why combine how to combine Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris
Combining Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris gives travelers a wider range of wildlife and landscapes in one trip. Malawi safari tours are known for their intimate experiences, with smaller parks like Liwonde and Majete offering close views of elephants, rhinos, and hippos along rivers. Tanzania safaris, on the other hand, cover vast areas such as Serengeti and Ngorongoro, where the Great Migration and Big Five dominate. By linking the two, travelers enjoy both the quiet, less crowded feel of Malawi and the dramatic scale of Tanzania. Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris together create balance, offering both exclusivity and variety, making the trip more rewarding for those who want to maximize their time in East and Southern Africa.
The easiest way to combine Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris is by using regional flights or overland transfers through hubs like Lilongwe and Dar es Salaam. Travelers can start with Malawi safari tours for a relaxed introduction, then continue to Tanzania safaris for larger reserves and migration highlights. Planning around seasons is important, as Malawi’s dry months from May to October align well with Tanzania’s migration period. Lodges and operators often provide packages that link the two destinations, covering transport, accommodation, and park fees. Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris can be tailored to different budgets, with options ranging from mid-range lodges to luxury camps, ensuring flexibility. This combination allows travelers to enjoy diverse wildlife experiences without unnecessary complications
Best ways of combining Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris
Best Serengeti and Lake Relaxation combo
The most balanced way to combine Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris is by starting with Tanzania’s Northern Circuit and ending with Lake Malawi. Spend 6–7 days in Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro, where elephants, big cats, and the Great Migration dominate the savannah. After intensive game drives, fly to Malawi for 4–5 days of relaxation at Cape Maclear. Here, snorkeling, kayaking, sailing on a traditional dhow, and village visits provide a refreshing contrast to the safari. This combination works well for first-time visitors who want both wildlife and downtime. The link is straightforward, with flights from Arusha to Lilongwe followed by a short road transfer. Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris together create a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.
The Wilderness and Water Route
For travelers who prefer remote areas, combining Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris through the southern circuit offers a more adventurous option. Spend 4–5 days in Nyerere National Park, where boat safaris on the Rufiji River, walking safaris, and classic drives showcase Tanzania’s wild side. Then head to Malawi’s northern lakeshore or Likoma Island for 5–6 days of rugged water-based activities. Kayaking to hidden coves, scuba diving, and hiking to viewpoints make this leg more active and less commercial. The transfer is longer, often involving charter flights or road travel through Karonga, but it adds to the off-the-beaten-path feel. Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris in this format suit travelers who want fewer crowds and a stronger sense of adventure.
Best Malawi First Safari and Serengeti Finale
This option combines Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris by starting with Malawi’s intimate conservation parks before moving to Tanzania’s grand reserves. Spend 5–6 days in Liwonde or Majete, where boat safaris on the Shire River and Big Five sightings are more personal, often without other vehicles nearby. Afterward, relax briefly on Lake Malawi’s southern or central shores before flying to Tanzania for 5 days in Serengeti and Ngorongoro. This finale delivers the migration spectacle and predator-rich crater landscapes. The link is simple, with flights from Lilongwe to Arusha or Kilimanjaro. Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris in this order are best for travelers who value conservation success stories and prefer to build up to the most dramatic wildlife experiences.
The Active Adventure Hiking and Kayaking
Active travelers can combine Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris with trekking and water sports. Spend 4–5 days in Tanzania hiking Mount Meru or the Ngorongoro Highlands, followed by a short safari in Tarangire or Lake Manyara. Then move to Malawi for 5–6 days of kayaking along Lake Malawi’s coast, camping on beaches, and snorkeling directly from your kayak. This format emphasizes physical activity over traditional game drives, appealing to hikers and kayakers who want a different safari style. Transfers are straightforward, with flights from Arusha to Lilongwe. Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris in this active combination provide a refreshing alternative, blending mountain trekking with lake adventures for those who prefer a non-traditional safari experience.
Best Luxury and Seclusion Combination
For travelers seeking exclusivity, combining Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris with luxury lodges and private concessions is ideal. Spend 5–6 days in Tanzania at high-end camps in Grumeti or Ngorongoro, where private guides, gourmet dining, and exclusive access to migration areas elevate the safari. Then fly to Malawi for 4–5 days at ultra-luxury retreats on Likoma or Mumbo Island, offering private boat trips, spa treatments, and bespoke dining under the stars. Charter flights make transfers smooth, ensuring privacy throughout. This combination is perfect for honeymooners or discerning travelers who prioritize comfort and seclusion. Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris in this format deliver the highest level of personalization, blending crowd-free wildlife viewing with private lake retreats.
Best Family-Friendly Combination
Families can combine Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris with a focus on safe, accessible parks and child-friendly lodges. Spend 4–5 days in Tanzania’s Tarangire and Lake Manyara, where shorter drives and abundant elephants, giraffes, and birdlife keep children engaged. Then move to Malawi’s southern lakeshore for 5–6 days of relaxed activities such as swimming, village visits, and gentle boat rides. Lodges here often provide family cottages and flexible meal options. Transfers are simple, with flights from Arusha to Lilongwe followed by a short road trip. Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris in this format ensure both wildlife excitement and downtime, making it ideal for families who want a balance of adventure and relaxation without long, tiring schedules.
The Birdwatcher’s Delight
For bird lovers, combining Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris offers unmatched diversity. Spend 5 days in Tanzania’s Lake Manyara and Serengeti, where flamingos, raptors, and migratory species thrive. Then continue to Malawi’s Liwonde National Park and Lake Malawi for 5–6 days, where fish eagles, kingfishers, and hundreds of water birds dominate. The Shire River in Liwonde is especially rewarding for birdwatching from boats. Transfers are straightforward via Lilongwe, connecting easily with Tanzania’s northern circuit. Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris together provide birdwatchers with contrasting habitats, from savannah plains to riverine wetlands, ensuring sightings of rare and colorful species across two countries.
Conservation Community Focus combo
Travelers interested in conservation can combine Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris with visits to community-driven reserves. Spend 4–5 days in Malawi’s Majete Wildlife Reserve, a Big Five success story, and Liwonde, where rhino and elephant populations are thriving. Then head to Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti for 5–6 days, where community projects and anti-poaching efforts are central to park management. This combination highlights how both countries are protecting wildlife while supporting local communities. Transfers are easy via Lilongwe and Arusha. Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris in this format suit travelers who want meaningful experiences, learning how conservation and community work together to sustain Africa’s wildlife.
The Short Safari and Long Lake Stay
For travelers who prefer more relaxation, Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris can be combined with a shorter safari and extended lake time. Spend 3–4 days in Tanzania’s Serengeti or Tarangire for concentrated wildlife viewing, then enjoy 6–7 days on Lake Malawi’s Likoma Island or Cape Maclear. Activities include snorkeling, sailing, and cultural visits, with plenty of time to unwind. Transfers are simple, with flights from Arusha to Lilongwe followed by road or charter flights to the lake. Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris in this format are best for travelers who want a taste of safari but prioritize relaxation, making it ideal for honeymooners or those seeking a slower pace.
The Photographer’s Combination
Photographers benefit from combining Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris, as both countries offer unique subjects. Spend 5–6 days in Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ngorongoro, capturing migration herds, predators, and dramatic crater landscapes. Then move to Malawi’s Lake Malawi and Liwonde for 4–5 days, where water-based safaris provide close shots of hippos, elephants, and birdlife, while the lake offers stunning sunrise and sunset photography. Transfers are straightforward via Lilongwe and Arusha. Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris in this format provide photographers with varied backdrops, from sweeping savannahs to tranquil waters, ensuring a diverse portfolio of wildlife and landscape images across two countries.
Best time to combine Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris
The best time to combine Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris is during the dry season months of June to October. Wildlife viewing is at its peak in Tanzania, with animals gathering around waterholes and the Great Migration crossing the Serengeti. At the same time, Malawi’s Liwonde and Majete reserves offer excellent sightings of elephants, rhinos, and hippos along rivers, while Lake Malawi provides clear waters for snorkeling and kayaking. This period ensures travelers enjoy both high-density game drives in Tanzania and relaxed water-based activities in Malawi, making it the most rewarding window for combining the two destinations.
Another good time to combine Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris is from January to February. In Tanzania, this is the wildebeest calving season in the southern Serengeti, where predators are highly active. Malawi’s parks remain productive during these months, with boat safaris along the Shire River offering close views of wildlife. Lake Malawi also provides warm weather, ideal for swimming and village visits. This combination works well for travelers who want to witness dramatic wildlife events in Tanzania while enjoying Malawi’s more intimate safari settings and cultural experiences.
For budget-conscious travelers, the shoulder months of November and March to May are also worth considering when planning Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris. These months bring short or long rains, creating green landscapes and fewer crowds. Wildlife viewing is still rewarding, especially in Malawi’s reserves, while Tanzania’s parks remain accessible, though some roads may be challenging. Lake Malawi is particularly attractive during these months, with fewer visitors and discounted lodge rates. Combining the two countries in the shoulder season offers strong value, quieter experiences, and a balance between safari adventure and lakeside relaxation
How to get there to Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris
To reach Malawi safari tours, most travelers fly into Kamuzu International Airport (LLW) in Lilongwe, which is the main gateway located about 26 km from the capital city. From here, road transfers or short domestic flights connect you to key safari destinations such as Liwonde National Park, Majete Wildlife Reserve, and the shores of Lake Malawi. Blantyre’s Chileka International Airport (BLZ) is another entry point, especially convenient for those heading south to Majete. Once in Malawi, transfers are straightforward, with reliable guides and lodges arranging transport to reserves and lakeside retreats. This makes Malawi safari tours accessible and easy to combine with relaxation on Lake Malawi’s beaches.
For Tanzania safaris, travelers usually arrive via Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) near Arusha or Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam. Kilimanjaro is the hub for the northern circuit, covering Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara, while Dar es Salaam is best for accessing southern parks like Nyerere (Selous) and Ruaha. Domestic flights connect major safari circuits, and smaller airstrips within reserves allow fly-in safaris for convenience. Road transfers are also common, especially for shorter distances between parks. Combining Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris is simple, with regional flights linking Lilongwe to Arusha or Dar es Salaam, making it easy to enjoy both intimate wildlife experiences in Malawi and the grand scale of Tanzania’s reserves
Top best activities not to miss on Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris
One of the top activities on Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris is game drives in their diverse reserves. In Malawi, Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve offer close views of elephants, rhinos, hippos, and antelope, often with fewer vehicles around, making the experience more personal. Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater provide large-scale wildlife spectacles, including the Big Five and the Great Migration. Combining both countries ensures travelers enjoy intimate encounters in Malawi and dramatic predator-prey action in Tanzania. These game drives are the foundation of any safari, giving travelers the chance to see Africa’s wildlife in natural habitats.
Malawi safari tours stand out for their water-based experiences, especially boat safaris along the Shire River in Liwonde, where hippos, crocodiles, and elephants are seen from the water. Lake Malawi adds snorkeling, kayaking, and sailing, offering a refreshing contrast to land safaris. Tanzania safaris also include boat trips in Nyerere National Park, where the Rufiji River provides sightings of birdlife and aquatic animals. These activities give travelers a different perspective, combining traditional game drives with water adventures. Together, Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris deliver variety, ensuring travelers enjoy both land and water wildlife experiences.
Another highlight of Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris is engaging with local communities. In Malawi, visits to lakeside villages near Cape Maclear allow travelers to learn about fishing traditions, crafts, and daily life. Tanzania offers cultural experiences with the Maasai, where travelers can see traditional dances, crafts, and pastoral practices. These visits add depth to the safari, showing how people live alongside wildlife and landscapes. Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris benefit from these cultural elements, giving travelers a richer understanding of the regions beyond just wildlife.
For those seeking more activity, Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris offer hiking, balloon rides, and kayaking. In Tanzania, hot air balloon safaris over the Serengeti provide sunrise views of herds and predators, while hikes in the Ngorongoro Highlands or Mount Meru add adventure. Malawi offers multi-day kayaking safaris along Lake Malawi, camping on beaches, and snorkeling in clear waters. These activities appeal to travelers who want more than game drives, adding variety and physical engagement. Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris together create a balanced itinerary, combining wildlife viewing with active adventures for a complete safari experience.
What to bring for Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris
As you prepare for Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris, pack light but practical essentials to stay comfortable and ready for varied conditions. Neutral-colored clothing such as breathable shirts, long trousers, and a warm layer for cooler mornings is important. Sturdy walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses will protect you during game drives and walks. Include insect repellent, sunscreen, personal medications, and toiletries to maintain health. A reusable water bottle, small backpack, and binoculars add convenience, while camera gear with extra batteries ensures you capture wildlife moments. Travel documents, cash for tips, and a flashlight are useful extras. With these items, Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris become smoother, allowing you to focus on wildlife viewing, cultural visits, and lake activities without unnecessary discomfort
Best places to stay in on Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris
On Malawi safari tours, some of the best places to stay are lodges and camps located within or near Liwonde National Park, Majete Wildlife Reserve, and Lake Malawi. Options such as Mvuu Lodge and Mvuu Camp in Liwonde provide excellent access to boat safaris along the Shire River and close wildlife viewing. In Majete, Thawale Lodge offers comfortable stays near Big Five sightings, while Mkulumadzi Lodge provides luxury with river views. For lakeside relaxation, Kaya Mawa on Likoma Island and Blue Zebra Island Lodge near Lake Malawi National Park are top choices, combining water activities with comfort. These lodges balance wildlife access and relaxation, making Malawi safari tours rewarding for both adventure and downtime.
Tanzania safaris, accommodation ranges from luxury lodges to tented camps across the northern and southern circuits. In the Serengeti, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti and Serengeti Migration Camp provide high-end comfort with direct access to migration routes. The Ngorongoro Crater area features Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge and The Highlands Camp, offering views over the caldera and close wildlife encounters. Tarangire National Park has Tarangire Treetops Lodge, known for its elevated rooms overlooking elephant herds. In the southern circuit, Sand Rivers Selous in Nyerere National Park and Ruaha River Lodge in Ruaha provide intimate, remote experiences. These lodges and camps ensure Tanzania safaris deliver both convenience and immersion, catering to different budgets and preferences
Why book Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris with Dav safaris
Booking Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris with Dav Safaris ensures travelers benefit from expertly crafted itineraries that combine intimate wildlife experiences in Malawi with the grandeur of Tanzania’s reserves. Dav Safaris provides professional guides, reliable vehicles, and carefully selected lodges that match different budgets, making the trip both comfortable and efficient. Our packages highlight conservation success stories in Malawi’s Liwonde and Majete, while also covering Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ngorongoro for migration and Big Five sightings. With a strong commitment to responsible tourism and community support, Dav Safaris offers travelers more than just safaris they provide meaningful connections to local cultures and landscapes. Choosing Dav Safaris for Malawi safari tours and Tanzania safaris guarantees personalized service, flexibility, and authentic experiences across two diverse destinations.
