5-Days Best Safaris in Malawi to Majete and Liwonde National Park
This 5-Days Best Safaris in Malawi to Majete and Liwonde National Park takes you through two of the country's most spectacular wildlife reserves, Majete Wildlife Reserve and Liwonde National Park. This carefully crafted itinerary showcases the very essence of Malawi's conservation success story, where once-depleted wildlife populations have been magnificently restored through dedicated conservation efforts. The best safaris in Malawi offer intimate wildlife encounters in pristine African wilderness settings, far from the crowded safari circuits of other East African destinations. Experience the warmth of Malawian hospitality while exploring these remarkable protected areas that define why Malawi is called the "Warm Heart of Africa."
The best safaris in Malawi combine exceptional game viewing opportunities with stunning natural landscapes along the life-giving Shire River that flows through both Majete and Liwonde. These two premier national parks showcase Malawi's incredible biodiversity, from the Big Five species including the recently reintroduced lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and black rhinos to over 650 bird species. Your journey through the best safaris in Malawi reveals landscapes ranging from dense miombo woodlands and mopane forests to riverine vegetation and open floodplains. The country's compact size allows comfortable travel between destinations while maximizing your time for wildlife viewing and wilderness experiences.
The best safaris in Malawi provide authentic African bush experiences with fewer tourists and more personalized service than many other safari destinations on the continent. This 5-day adventure takes you from the rugged beauty of Majete Wildlife Reserve in the south to the riverside paradise of Liwonde National Park along the Shire River. Both parks represent African Wildlife Foundation's remarkable conservation achievements, making the best safaris in Malawi not just about wildlife viewing but also about supporting sustainable conservation. Prepare for unforgettable boat safaris, thrilling game drives, and the opportunity to witness one of Africa's greatest conservation comeback stories firsthand.
Tour highlights
Day 1: Arrival and pick up from Chileka International Airport, Blantyre
Day 2: Transfer to Majete Wildlife Reserve for an afternoon game drive
Day 3: Proceed to full-day game viewing and boat safari in Majete
Day 4: Continue with transfer to Liwonde National Park via Shire River Valley
Day 5: Proceed to morning boat safari and game drive before departure transfer
Price Includes:
- Park fees for Majete Wildlife Reserve and Liwonde National Park
- All activities as mentioned in the itinerary
- Ground transport per 4WD custom safari vehicle
- Bottled water in the safari vehicle throughout the journey
- Full board accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Service of an English-speaking driver-guide
- Driver allowances and fuel costs
- All mentioned activities except for the optional ones
- Boat safari experiences on Shire River
- Game drives in both national parks
- Conservation fees supporting wildlife protection
Price Excludes:
- Malawi Visa fees
- International and internal flights
- Personal needs such as gratuities, beverages, souvenirs, etc.
- Visa processing fees
- Air ticket costs
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Laundry fees and services
- Tips for guides, drivers, and lodge staff
- Life insurance coverage
- Other drinks apart from bottled water
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at lodges
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Personal travel and medical insurance
Itinary in details
- Day1Arrival and pick up from Chileka International Airport, Blantyre
Your adventure discovering the best safaris in Malawi begins with arrival and pick up from Chileka International Airport in Blantyre, Malawi's commercial capital and second-largest city. Upon landing, your experienced English-speaking driver-guide will warmly welcome you to the Warm Heart of Africa, providing an introduction to the best safaris in Malawi experience awaiting you. The transfer from the airport to your comfortable Blantyre accommodation takes approximately 20 minutes covering 15 kilometers through this vibrant southern city nestled in the Shire Highlands. This first evening allows you to rest after your international journey and prepare for the incredible best safaris in Malawi wildlife encounters beginning tomorrow, with optional exploration of Blantyre's colonial architecture and bustling markets if time and energy permit.
- Day2Transfer to Majete Wildlife Reserve for an afternoon game drive
Transfer to Majete Wildlife Reserve marks the official beginning of your best safaris in Malawi wildlife adventure, departing Blantyre at 8:00 AM for this remarkable conservation success story. The scenic 70-kilometer journey takes approximately 1.5 hours through rural Malawian villages, sugarcane plantations, and the beautiful Lower Shire Valley landscape. Upon arrival at Majete, you'll immediately understand why this represents some of the best safaris in Malawi, with the 700-square-kilometer reserve showcasing incredible wildlife recovery including all Big Five species. Your afternoon game drive introduces you to Majete's diverse inhabitants including elephants, buffaloes, sable antelopes, and possibly the elusive leopard, making this one of the best safaris in Malawi for authentic bush experiences with fewer crowds than traditional East African destinations.
- Day3Proceed to full-day game viewing and boat safari in Majete
Proceed to a full day of intensive game viewing and activities in Majete Wildlife Reserve, experiencing why this location ranks among the best safaris in Malawi for wildlife diversity. Early morning and late afternoon game drives maximize wildlife sighting opportunities during peak activity hours, while the midday boat safari along the Shire River provides unique aquatic wildlife perspectives. The reserve's varied landscapes including mopane woodlands, rocky outcrops, and riverine forests create perfect habitats for the best safaris in Malawi wildlife populations including recently reintroduced black rhinos and lions. Throughout this full day exploration covering approximately 80 kilometers within the reserve, you'll appreciate why Majete represents one of the best safaris in Malawi for witnessing Africa's conservation achievements, with species that were locally extinct just two decades ago now thriving in protected wilderness.
- Day4Continue with transfer to Liwonde National Park via Shire River Valley
Continue with your best safaris in Malawi journey as you transfer from Majete Wildlife Reserve to the magnificent Liwonde National Park, traveling through Malawi's scenic southern region. The 180-kilometer journey takes approximately 3.5 hours via Blantyre and along the beautiful Shire River Valley, offering glimpses of rural Malawian life and agricultural landscapes. Upon arrival at Liwonde, one of the crown jewels of the best safaris in Malawi, you'll settle into your riverside accommodation before an afternoon game drive through this 548-square-kilometer sanctuary. Liwonde's position along the Shire River creates exceptional wildlife concentrations, particularly during the dry season, solidifying its reputation among the best safaris in Malawi for elephant viewing, with over 800 elephants calling this park home alongside hippos, crocodiles, and diverse antelope species.
- Day5Proceed to morning boat safari and game drive before departure transfer
Proceed to an early morning boat safari along the Shire River, experiencing the highlight activity that makes Liwonde one of the best safaris in Malawi for aquatic wildlife encounters. This 2-3 hour river cruise departing at 6:00 AM offers unparalleled opportunities to observe hippos, crocodiles, elephants coming to drink, and hundreds of waterbirds including African fish eagles, saddle-billed storks, and malachite kingfishers. Following breakfast, a final game drive through Liwonde's diverse habitats reinforces why this destination represents the best safaris in Malawi, with possible sightings of the park's famous Lilian's lovebirds found nowhere else in the world. The transfer to Lilongwe's Kamuzu International Airport takes approximately 3 hours covering 200 kilometers, concluding your unforgettable best safaris in Malawi adventure with memories of exceptional wildlife encounters, stunning landscapes, and the genuine warmth of Malawian hospitality that makes this destination truly special.