6-Day Best Malawi Safari and Lake Malawi Beach Holiday
This 6-Day Best Malawi Safari and Lake Malawi Beach Holiday showcases the very best of Malawi, starting with incredible game viewing in Majete Wildlife Reserve, one of Southern Africa's greatest conservation success stories. Your Malawi Safari adventure takes you through diverse landscapes where you'll witness the magnificent Big Five—leopard, elephant, buffalo, black rhino, and lion—alongside numerous other reintroduced species. This perfectly balanced itinerary seamlessly blends authentic wilderness experiences with tranquil beach relaxation along the legendary Lake Malawi shores.
The Malawi Safari begins in the spectacular Majete Wildlife Reserve, nestled in the scenic Shire Valley, where an impressive relocation program has successfully reintroduced 2,559 animals from 14 different species. Your safari experience includes guided game drives through diverse habitats where elephants roam freely, big cats prowl the savannah, and rhinos graze peacefully. Following your wildlife adventure, transition to the crystalline waters of Lake Malawi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its biodiversity and stunning natural beauty. This unique combination ensures your Malawi Safari delivers both adrenaline-pumping wildlife encounters and peaceful lakeside serenity.
Your Malawi Safari concludes at the picturesque Cape Maclear on Lake Malawi's southern shores, where sandy beaches meet forested mountains in breathtaking harmony. Lake Malawi National Park protects this pristine environment, offering crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and water sports activities. The lake, often called the "Calendar Lake" for its 365-mile length, contains more fish species than any other lake on Earth. This comprehensive Malawi Safari experience ensures you discover both the wild and tranquil sides of this remarkable country, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Tour highlights
Day 1: Arrival and pick up from Chileka International Airport, Blantyre - transfer to Majete Wildlife Reserve
Day 2: Proceed to morning and afternoon game drives in Majete Wildlife Reserve
Day 3: Continue with the final morning game drive and transfer to Lake Malawi, Cape Maclear
Day 4: Proceed to full-day beach relaxation and water activities at Lake Malawi
Day 5: Continue with leisure activities and beach exploration at Chembe Eagles Nest
Day 6: Transfer to Chileka International Airport, Blantyre, for departure
Price Includes:
- Park fees for Majete Wildlife Reserve and Lake Malawi National Park
- All activities as mentioned in the itinerary (shared game drives)
- Ground transport per 4WD custom safari vehicle
- Bottled water in the safari vehicle throughout the journey
- Full board accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
- Service of an English-speaking driver-guide
- Driver allowances and accommodation
- All mentioned activities except for the optional ones
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Government taxes and levies
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 (motorized water sports, scuba diving, island trips, fishing expeditions)
- Laundry fees
- Tips for guides, drivers, lodge staff, and local service providers
- Life insurance coverage
- Other drinks apart from water
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Personal equipment and gear
- Telephone and internet charges
Itinary in details
- Day1Arrival and pick up and transfer to Majete Wildlife Reserve
Your unforgettable Malawi Safari begins with arrival and pick up from Chileka International Airport in Blantyre, Malawi's commercial capital and second-largest city. Upon arrival, our professional English-speaking driver-guide will warmly welcome you and provide a comprehensive briefing about your exciting Malawi Safari adventure ahead. The scenic 2-hour transfer to Majete Wildlife Reserve covers approximately 70 kilometers through rural Malawian landscapes, offering glimpses of traditional villages and the beautiful Shire Valley region. Your Malawi Safari accommodation at Thawale Lodge provides comfortable chalets with stunning views overlooking the reserve's active waterhole, where wildlife frequently comes to drink throughout the day and night.
- Day2Proceed to Morning and Afternoon Game Drives in Majete
Proceed to a full day of intensive game viewing with morning and afternoon shared safari drives through Majete Wildlife Reserve, the highlight of your Malawi Safari wildlife experience. Your early morning Malawi Safari drive begins at sunrise when predators are most active and herbivores emerge from nighttime hiding places to graze in cooler temperatures. The reserve's 700 square kilometers encompass diverse ecosystems including miombo woodland, rocky outcrops, riverine vegetation along the Shire River, and open grasslands that support incredible biodiversity. This comprehensive Malawi Safari day offers maximum wildlife viewing opportunities with experienced guides who possess intimate knowledge of animal movements and behaviors within the reserve.
- Day3Continue with Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Lake Malawi
Continue with a final shared morning game drive on Majete's elevated plateau before transferring to Lake Malawi, transitioning your Malawi Safari from wildlife encounters to beach relaxation. This last game drive offers precious final opportunities to photograph any species missed during previous outings, making the most of your Majete Malawi Safari experience. After breakfast and lodge checkout, your journey continues with a scenic 5.5-hour drive covering approximately 280 kilometers through southern Malawi's diverse landscapes, rural villages, and agricultural areas. Your Malawi Safari route passes through Zomba, Malawi's former capital nestled beneath the spectacular Zomba Plateau, before reaching the lakeshore at Cape Maclear.
- Day4Proceed to Full Day Beach Activities at Lake Malawi
Proceed to a full day of leisure and optional activities at Lake Malawi, where your Malawi Safari transitions into pure tropical paradise relaxation mode. Wake to spectacular sunrise views over the lake's calm morning waters, enjoy breakfast with panoramic vistas, and spend your day however you choose at this idyllic Malawi Safari beach destination. Lake Malawi, often called the "Lake of Stars," stretches 365 miles in length and reaches depths of 2,300 feet, containing approximately 1,000 fish species with over 90% being endemic cichlids. Your Malawi Safari beach experience offers numerous activities including swimming in the warm, bilharzia-free waters, snorkeling among colorful fish darting between underwater rocks, kayaking along the pristine shoreline, or simply relaxing under palm-thatched umbrellas on powder-soft beaches.
- Day5Continue with Leisure Activities and Beach Exploration
Continue with another spectacular day of beach relaxation and optional adventures at Lake Malawi, maximizing your Malawi Safari tropical paradise experience. This flexible day allows you to pursue activities that most interest you, whether that means complete relaxation or active water sports exploration. Your Malawi Safari at Cape Maclear offers endless possibilities: take guided walks through Lake Malawi National Park's terrestrial sections spotting vervet monkeys, colorful woodland birds, and the occasional monitor lizard, or visit Otter Point and Crocodile Rock for exceptional snorkeling among massive granite boulders. The lake's remarkable clarity—you can see 20 meters down on calm days—makes every underwater Malawi Safari experience absolutely spectacular.