8 Day Best Affordable Malawi Safari Holiday Tour
This 8-day Malawi safari holiday combines Majete, Liwonde, and Lake Malawi with cultural highlights. travellers enjoy game drives, walking safaris, boat trips, and lakeside relaxation. The tour balances wildlife, culture, and comfort, making it affordable and rewarding for all travelers.
Experience a comprehensive Malawi safari holiday that combines wildlife, lakeside relaxation, and cultural highlights in one carefully planned itinerary. Starting in Majete Wildlife Reserve, travelers are introduced to Malawi’s growing populations of elephants, antelope, and predators through day and night game drives. The reserve offers a safe and rewarding start, with lodges providing comfort after active days. Moving on to Liwonde National Park, boat safaris along the Shire River showcase hippos, crocodiles, and prolific birdlife, while guided walking safaris add depth by focusing on tracks, plants, and smaller details. This stage of the Malawi safari holiday ensures variety, balancing large animal sightings with close-up experiences.
The holiday then shifts to Lake Malawi, where families and couples enjoy swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and traditional dhow cruises at Cape Maclear. The calm waters and colorful cichlid fish make the lake ideal for relaxation after days in the bush. Cultural highlights such as the Chongoni Rock Art Area and a city tour of Blantyre add historical and social context, ensuring the Malawi safari holiday is not only about wildlife but also about people and heritage. By combining reserves, lakes, and cultural sites, this itinerary provides a complete experience that is affordable, family-friendly, and deeply rewarding
Tour highlights
Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Majete Wildlife Reserve, relax and night game drive
Day 2: Early game drives, walking safari and boat cruise
Day 3: Travel to Liwonde National Park for boat safari
Day 4: Proceed with game drives for rhinos and cheetahs and walking safaris
Day 5: Continue To Lake Malawi Cape Maclear
Day 6: Experience Lake Malawi adventures
Day 7: Proceed to Chongoni Rock Art Area and Return to Blantyre
Day 8: City tour and departure
Price Includes:
- Park fees wildlife reserves
- 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
- Sundown cruise on Lake Malawi
- Game drives and bush walks in Majete Wildlife Reserve
- 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 Transfer to Majete Wildlife Reserve, relax and night game drive
Your Malawi safari holiday begins with arrival in Blantyre, where you are transferred to Majete Wildlife Reserve. After settling into your lodge, you can relax before heading out for a night game drive. This activity offers a chance to see nocturnal animals such as hyenas, civets, and bushbabies. The reserve is well managed, making it a safe and rewarding start to your Malawi safari holiday. Lodges here provide comfortable accommodation and easy access to wildlife, ensuring travelers ease into the safari rhythm while enjoying both rest and adventure
- Day2Early game drives, walking safari and boat cruise
On the second day of your Malawi safari holiday, you begin with an early morning game drive to spot elephants, antelope, and predators active at dawn. Later, a guided walking safari allows you to learn about tracks, plants, and smaller animals with the safety of an armed ranger. In the afternoon, a boat cruise along the Shire River offers views of hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife. This mix of activities ensures your Malawi safari holiday provides variety, balancing large animal sightings with close-up experiences and relaxation on the water
- Day3Travel to Liwonde National Park for boat safari
Today Malawi safari holiday continues with a transfer to Liwonde National Park, one of the country’s most popular wildlife areas. After checking into your lodge, you head out for a boat safari on the Shire River. This activity is perfect for spotting elephants drinking at the banks, hippos in the water, and diverse bird species. The river setting makes Liwonde unique, offering a different perspective compared to traditional game drives. This day of your Malawi safari holiday highlights the importance of combining water-based activities with land safaris for a richer experience
- Day4Proceed with game drives for rhinos and cheetahs and walking safaris
Day four of your Malawi safari holiday is dedicated to exploring Liwonde National Park through game drives and walking safaris. With African Parks’ management, rhinos and cheetahs have been reintroduced, giving visitors a chance to see rare species alongside elephants and antelope. Guided walking safaris add depth, focusing on smaller details like plants and animal tracks. This combination ensures your Malawi safari holiday delivers both big game excitement and educational insights. Lodges provide comfort between activities, making the day balanced for families and groups
- Day5Continue To Lake Malawi Cape Maclear
Malawi safari holiday shifts from wildlife to lakeside relaxation as you travel to Cape Maclear on Lake Malawi. After arrival, you check into a lodge with direct access to the beach. Families can swim, snorkel, or kayak, while parents enjoy downtime by the water. The lake offers colorful cichlid fish and calm waters, making it safe for children. This day of your Malawi safari holiday ensures travelers recharge after active safari days, while still enjoying nature in a different setting.
- Day6Experience Lake Malawi adventures
Day six of your Malawi safari holiday is focused on water-based activities at Lake Malawi. Options include snorkeling to see vibrant fish, kayaking along the shoreline, or taking a traditional dhow cruise at sunset. Families can enjoy safe swimming areas, while lodges provide equipment for water sports. The lake adds variety to your Malawi safari holiday, giving travelers a chance to balance wildlife viewing with leisure. This day is designed to keep both adults and children engaged, offering relaxation and adventure in equal measure.
- Day7Proceed to Chongoni Rock Art Area and Return to Blantyre
The Malawi safari holiday continues with a cultural highlight at the Chongoni Rock Art Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you explore ancient rock paintings that tell stories of Malawi’s past. Guided visits explain the significance of the art and its connection to local traditions. Afterward, you return to Blantyre for overnight stay. This day of your Malawi safari holiday adds cultural depth, ensuring travelers experience more than wildlife and lakes. It balances history with modern comfort, making the itinerary richer and more meaningful
- Day8City tour and departure
The final day of your Malawi safari holiday begins with a city tour of Blantyre. You can visit markets, historical buildings, and cultural centers, gaining insight into urban life in Malawi. This lighter activity allows travelers to relax before departure. Later, you are transferred to the airport for your flight home. This conclusion ensures your Malawi safari holiday ends smoothly, combining wildlife, lakeside leisure, and culture into one complete experience. It provides value for families and groups seeking variety within an affordable safari holiday