7 Days Malawi Safari Tour with Lake Malawi and Culture
Our 7 Days Malawi Safari Tour with Lake Malawi and Culture takes you from the Big Five wilderness of Majete Wildlife Reserve to the crystal-clear waters of Lake Malawi, through lush tea plantations in Thyolo, and into the ancient cultural sites of Dedza. Experience the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion as your Malawi Safari Tour showcases the country's remarkable diversity across seven unforgettable days. From game drives and bush walks to snorkeling in UNESCO-protected waters and exploring ancient rock art, this journey captures the essence of authentic African travel.
Your Malawi Safari Tour begins with spectacular wildlife viewing in Majete Wildlife Reserve, where successful conservation efforts have reintroduced the Big Five, creating one of Southern Africa's most impressive wildlife comeback stories. The adventure continues to the scenic highlands of Thyolo for an immersive tea plantation experience at the historic Satemwa Estate, where rolling green hills and colonial charm transport you to another era. The Malawi Safari Tour then leads you to the jewel of the trip—Lake Malawi, a vast freshwater lake teeming with colorful cichlid fish and bordered by golden beaches. You'll explore both the secluded eco-paradise of Mumbo Island and the vibrant lakeside village of Cape Maclear within the Lake Malawi National Park.
This comprehensive Malawi Safari Tour concludes with a cultural journey through Dedza's Chongoni Rock Art Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring ancient paintings that reveal the spiritual traditions of the Chewa people spanning over 2,000 years. Throughout your Malawi Safari Tour, you'll experience the genuine warmth and hospitality that has earned Malawi its nickname as the "Warm Heart of Africa." With comfortable accommodations ranging from wilderness lodges to beachfront retreats and boutique guesthouses, this Malawi Safari Tour offers the perfect balance of adventure and comfort. Every element has been thoughtfully designed to provide an authentic, immersive experience that showcases the very best of Malawi's natural beauty, wildlife, culture, and traditions.
Tour highlights
Day 1: Arrival and pick up from Chileka International Airport, transfer to Majete Wildlife Reserve
Day 2: Proceed to early morning and sunset game drives in Majete Wildlife Reserve
Day 3: Transfer to Thyolo highlands for a tea plantation tour at Satemwa Estate
Day 4: Continue with the trip to Lake Malawi and boat transfer to Mumbo Island
Day 5: Proceed to mainland Cape Maclear with fish eagle feeding and sundown cruise
Day 6: Transfer to Lilongwe with a cultural stop at Chongoni Rock Art UNESCO Site
Day 7: Continue with departure transfer from Mitengo House to Kamuzu International Airport
Price Includes:
- Park fees for Majete Wildlife Reserve and Lake Malawi 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 (Thawale Lodge, Huntingdon House, Mumbo Island, Chembe Eagles Nest, Mitengo House)
- Service of an English-speaking driver-guide
- Driver allowances and accommodation
- Boat transfers to and from Mumbo Island
- Tea plantation tour and tasting at Satemwa Estate
- Fish eagle feeding experience
- Sundown cruise on Lake Malawi
- Chongoni Rock Art Site entrance and guided tour
- Game drives and bush walks in Majete Wildlife Reserve
- Snorkeling equipment at Mumbo Island
- All mentioned activities except for the optional ones
Price Excludes:
- Malawi Visa fees (available on arrival)
- International and internal flights
- Personal needs such as gratuities, beverages, etc.
- Visa processing fees
- Air ticket costs
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Laundry fees and services
- Tips for guides, drivers, lodge staff, and boat crew
- Life insurance coverage
- Other drinks apart from water (alcoholic and soft drinks)
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Personal snorkeling or diving equipment
- Souvenirs and personal shopping
- Phone calls and internet usage
Itinary in details
- Day1Arrival and pick up from Chileka International Airport, transfer to Majete Wildlife Reserve
Your unforgettable Malawi Safari Tour begins with arrival and pick up from Chileka International Airport around 5:00 PM, where your experienced English-speaking guide warmly welcomes you to the Warm Heart of Africa. The transfer to Majete Wildlife Reserve covers approximately 70 kilometers and takes 1.5 to 2 hours through scenic southern Malawi landscapes, marking the exciting start of your Malawi Safari Tour adventure. Upon arrival at Thawale Lodge, nestled within the 70,000-hectare Majete Wildlife Reserve, you'll check into your comfortable chalet or safari tent surrounded by pristine wilderness. This first evening of your Malawi Safari Tour focuses on relaxation with a welcome drink, sundowner viewing at the waterhole where elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes gather to drink, followed by dinner under the stars and an optional campfire nightcap before retiring for the night.
- Day2Proceed to early morning and sunset game drives in Majete Wildlife Reserve
Proceed to an exhilarating early morning game drive departing at 6:00 AM, the highlight of day two of your Malawi Safari Tour when wildlife activity peaks in the cool dawn hours. Your Malawi Safari Tour continues with expert rangers guiding you through Majete's diverse habitats in search of elephants, lions, leopards, black rhinos, buffaloes, and over 300 bird species that make this reserve a conservation success story. After a 3-hour game drive covering approximately 40 kilometers, return to Thawale Lodge for breakfast, followed by an optional mid-morning guided bush walk where you'll learn animal tracking and discover the smaller wonders of the bush. Your Malawi Safari Tour afternoon includes relaxation time before departing at 4:00 PM for a spectacular sunset game drive, capturing golden-hour photographs and observing nocturnal animals beginning their evening routines, concluding with campfire stories and dinner sharing the day's incredible wildlife sightings.
- Day3Transfer to Thyolo highlands for a tea plantation tour at Satemwa Estate
Transfer to the lush highlands of Thyolo after breakfast, departing Majete at 8:00 AM for a scenic 130-kilometer journey taking approximately 2.5 hours through southern Malawi's picturesque rolling hills and vibrant villages. This cultural dimension of your Malawi Safari Tour brings you to the historic Satemwa Tea Estate, one of Africa's finest tea producers, where you'll check into the charming colonial-era Huntingdon House surrounded by manicured tea fields and gardens. Your Malawi Safari Tour afternoon features a comprehensive tea plantation tour including factory visits to observe the tea-making process from leaf to cup, followed by an exclusive tea tasting experience sampling Satemwa's premium varieties while learning about the estate's rich heritage dating back to 1923. The day concludes with a three-course dinner prepared with fresh locally-sourced ingredients, served either in the elegant dining room or under the stars in the garden, making this portion of your Malawi Safari Tour a perfect blend of relaxation and cultural immersion.
- Day4Continue with the trip to Lake Malawi and boat transfer to Mumbo Island
Continue with your Malawi Safari Tour journey to Lake Malawi, departing Huntingdon House at 7:30 AM for a spectacular 180-kilometer drive taking approximately 4 hours through Malawi's changing landscapes toward the shimmering shores of Africa's third-largest lake. Upon arrival at Cape Maclear around midday, board a boat for a scenic 10-kilometer cruise taking 30-40 minutes across the crystal-clear waters to Mumbo Island, a pristine eco-paradise within Lake Malawi National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This unique segment of your Malawi Safari Tour places you on a completely off-grid island with no electricity, cars, or Wi-Fi, where you'll stay in comfortable eco-friendly chalets perched dramatically on granite boulders above the water. Your Malawi Safari Tour afternoon and evening offer snorkeling among hundreds of colorful cichlid fish species, kayaking around the island's secluded coves, swimming in crystal-clear waters, exploring nature trails, or simply relaxing in hammocks with panoramic lake views before enjoying dinner under the stars.
- Day5Proceed to Cape Maclear with Fish Eagle Feeding Experience
Proceed to the mainland after breakfast on Mumbo Island, boarding the boat at 9:00 AM for the return 10-kilometer cruise back to Cape Maclear, with your Malawi Safari Tour including a memorable stop at Thumbi Island for the spectacular fish eagle feeding experience. Watch in awe as these majestic birds, symbols of Africa, swoop down with incredible precision to snatch fish from the water in a thrilling display that makes your Malawi Safari Tour truly unforgettable. Upon reaching Cape Maclear around 10:30 AM, check into Chembe Eagles Nest, a cozy beachfront lodge nestled along the golden sands of Chembe Village offering comfortable chalets with stunning lake views and authentic local atmosphere. Your Malawi Safari Tour afternoon allows time for beach relaxation, swimming, or village exploration before departing at 4:30 PM for a magnificent sundown cruise across Lake Malawi's calm waters, enjoying the changing colors of the African sunset with refreshing drinks in hand, followed by dinner at the lodge and a peaceful evening by the lakeshore.
- Day6Transfer to Lilongwe - Cultural Tour at Chongoni Rock Art Site
Transfer to Lilongwe begins after breakfast at 7:00 AM, with your Malawi Safari Tour covering approximately 240 kilometers northward through beautiful countryside, taking about 5 hours including a significant cultural stop in Dedza. The highlight of today's Malawi Safari Tour is visiting the Chongoni Rock Art Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring over 127 ancient rock painting sites created by the BaTwa hunter-gatherers and Chewa agriculturalists, with some artworks dating back more than 2,000 years. Spend 1.5 hours exploring these remarkable spiritual sites tucked within forested hills and natural caves, where your guide explains the cultural significance and symbolism of the paintings that connect to Chewa initiation ceremonies still practiced today. Continue your Malawi Safari Tour journey to Lilongwe, arriving at Mitengo House around 3:00 PM, a stylish boutique guesthouse in a quiet Area 43 neighborhood offering modern comforts, tranquil gardens, and personalized service, concluding with dinner and reflection on your incredible week-long adventure.
- Day7Continue with Departure - End of Malawi Safari Tour
Continue with your final morning in Malawi, enjoying a leisurely breakfast at 7:00 AM surrounded by Mitengo House's peaceful gardens, savoring the last moments of your incredible Malawi Safari Tour adventure. Your driver will arrange departure transfer to Kamuzu International Airport located 25 kilometers away, taking approximately 30-40 minutes depending on your flight schedule, with the journey offering final glimpses of Lilongwe's bustling streets, colorful markets, and surrounding landscapes. As your Malawi Safari Tour concludes, reflect on the unforgettable experiences—from spotting the Big Five in Majete Wildlife Reserve to snorkeling in Lake Malawi's crystal waters, sipping tea in Thyolo's highlands, and exploring ancient rock art at Chongoni. Your guide will assist with airport check-in procedures and ensure smooth departure, bidding farewell as you carry lasting memories of your comprehensive Malawi Safari Tour showcasing the Warm Heart of Africa's stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, warm hospitality, and remarkable wildlife conservation success stories.