9 Day Malawi Bush & Beach from US$2,692.-pp

Malawi Bush & Beach is the ideal combination to safari in “Big-5” Game Country and relaxation on Lake Malawi’s sandy beaches. Activities include game drives, boating safaris, bush walks, hiking Majete Hill, rhino tracking, cultural tours, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, kayaking and water skiing! Malawi is considered Africa’s new destination to be discovered…

Key
FB+: Dinner, bed, breakfast, lunch and activities daily

Price

From US$2,692.- to US$3,180.- per person, sharing occupancy

From April 2018 to Jan 6th, 2019

Included

Accommodation and full board meals, activities as per package, all transfers, local drinks, National Park fees. laundry;

Excluded

International flight to Blantyre and from Lilongwe. Visa, motorized water sports,

Day 1:           Mkulumadzi, Majete Wildlife Reserve

Malawi

Dubbed ‘The Warm Heart of Africa’ due to the legendary welcome extended to all who visit, Malawi is a small country with a big heart and an even bigger range of incredible tourist activities! Lake Malawi’s vast size, its warm freshwater and its gorgeous surrounding beaches make it a mecca for those seeking a year-round location to swim, scuba dive, snorkel, water ski, sail, kayak, parasail or simply potter about in boats. Malawi also boasts plenty of national parks providing a haven for a wide variety of wildlife including crocodiles, lions, elephants, hippos and even leopard. Culture vultures are also well served by numerous fascinating historical and cultural sites as well as visits to traditional Malawian villages to meet some ever-smiling Malawians going about their daily lives. With all of this exceptional culture, natural scenery and friendliness on offer, this unique African country is enchanting enough to captivate even the most jaded traveller.

Majete Wildlife Reserve

Sprawling across 700 square kilometres of the Great African Rift Valley, Majete Wildlife Reserve’s undulating terrain incorporates grassy plains, riverside groves and forests of marula, acacia and leadwood interspersed with palms and the occasional baobab tree. The park provides a sanctuary for a diverse mix of wildlife, including black rhino, elephant, antelope and warthog, while the Shire River is populated by large numbers of crocodiles and hippos. Lodging options include chalets and a wonderfully scenic campsite set above the Matitu Falls. This conservation success story is a must-see, with over 2500 animals having been reintroduced into the reserve since 2003 – making it home to Africa’s Big 5.

Day Itinerary

On arrival at Blantyre International Airport a representative  will meet and assist you. The drive to Mkulumadzi is approximately 2.5 hours through colourful local scenes of villages, agriculture, as well as bush. The camp is located on the confluence of the Shire and Mkulumadzi River; within Majete Wildlife Reserve, 70km south west of Blantyre – southern Malawi. Majete is Malawi’s only Big Five Reserve and also one of the largest protected areas and covers an area of over 70,000ha. The reserve is located within the Miombo woodland ecoregion and much of the higher lying areas in the west of the park are dominated by Miombo/Brachystegia woodland. Mixed Combretum woodlands and mosaics of riparian forest can be found in the east of Majete.

Depending on your arrival time in the day you will enjoy a lunch looking out over the Shire River or if you arrive in the afternoon, you can enjoy afternoon tea and the evening game drive. Perfect location to start your safari as Livingstone is recorded to have entered Malawi by way of the Shire River.

Overnight: Mkulumadzi

The lodge has eight superb chalets, each with spacious living quarters and private viewing deck. Guests can swim in our pool, dine under the stars, enjoy river cruises, game drives and walking safaris. Majete Wildlife Reserve is a vast region of mature woodland and granite hills, picturesque river valleys and dense forest. It is home to the elusive black rhino, along with elephant, buffalo, nyala, sable, eland and hartebeest. There are plans to reintroduce lion, leopard and cheetah in 2012 as part of a pioneering conservation project. Undiscovered by tourists, Majete is a true wilderness where every trip into the bush with our team of experienced guides will feel like an adventure

 Chalets

The bush chalets are luxurious and spacious with contemporary furnishings, some crafted from locally-sourced materials. They are flooded with natural light, giving you the sense of being in the forest without compromising your comfort and privacy.  There is also an outdoor shower with a large rain shower where guests can enjoy the sensation of bathing under a waterfall. The shower is open to the surrounding bush with stone-clad walls for privacy.  Each chalet has a sloping vegetated roof planted with indigenous species such as succulents, aloes, shrubs and grasses. This minimizes their impact on the environment and keeps them cool in the hot season.

Included

Full Board and Activities

Day 2 & 3:           Mkulumadzi, Majete Wildlife Reserve

Day Itinerary

The luxurious lodge is in a stunning location, the activities include game-drives, boating safaris, bush walks, hiking Majete Hill, black rhino tracking, cultural tours, birding trips on the Shire River and to nearby Elephant Marsh and game-viewing from a hide. Guests are free to be as energetic or idle as they please although at least one activity per day is encouraged to best enjoy Majete.

Included

Full Board and Activities

Day 4:           Pumulani, Cape Maclear

Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi is the crowning jewel of this beautiful country. It is one of the largest, longest and deepest freshwater lakes in the world. Numerous fishing villages are scattered along its length but there are still vast stretches of uninhabited golden beaches. Known as ‘The Lake of Stars’, the natural beauty of Lake Malawi draws travellers from around the globe. It has more species of fish than any other freshwater lake in the world, boasting over 600 species of fish in the Lake Malawi National Park alone. The 590 kilometre long and 85 kilometre wide Lake is the third-largest lake in Africa, occupying one-fifth of Malawi’s total area. With a depth of 700 metres, it is incredibly deep with its lowest point reaching more than 200 metres below sea level. Visitors can look forward to spotting a myriad of wildlife in and around the lake including, hippos, crocodiles, fish eagles, and over 1000 species of brightly-coloured endemic cichlid fish.

Cape Maclear

Located on the southern shore of Lake Malawi at the tip of the Nankumba Peninsula, Cape Maclear is a little resort town surrounded by mountains and set within Lake Malawi National Park. This town features an array of beachside bars and local restaurants in a spectacularly scenic setting of golden sand beaches lapped by dazzling turquoise water. Cape Maclear is a Robinson-Crusoe paradise, making it a sought after tourist destination. Kayak over to the nearby Thumbi island and spot the majestic fish eagle, sail across the lake and catch a picturesque African sunset, or scuba dive into the crystal-clear depths of the lake, which boasts some of the best freshwater diving in the world. Other popular activities include: bird watching, windsurfing, hiking, swimming or shopping in the local craft markets as well as island tours and guided village walks.

Day Itinerary

Transfer to Pumulani will be after breakfast, by a beautiful and scenic drive through game area and village life (around 5 hours). Then you will reach the Nankumba Peninsula of Lake Malawi. This is recognised as one of the most beautiful shores of the Lake and borders Lake Malawi National Park. This Park was established in order to protect the cichlid fish unique to the area. In 1984 the park was designated a World Heritage Site.

Pumulani is exclusively situated on the west side of the Nankumba Peninsula, surrounded by the national park. The ten villas are scattered around the hillside and are individual in shape and style but all have a spacious bedroom, bathroom and extensive sitting area. The front sliding doors open onto the deck – elevated above the ground giving optimal views. Our remote beach setting is ideal for those who simply want to soak up the sun and swim in the clear blue waters of the lake. Those who prefer to take a dive in the swimming pool, there is an infinity pool near the central dining area with grand views over the lake, as well as another infinity pool on beach level. For those seeking activity we offer many watersports activities like snorkeling, fishing, sailing, kayaking, waterskiing, wake boarding and fun tube rides (all motorized activities are excluded). At the end of the day climb aboard our dhow and let our experienced local crewmen take you sailing into the sunset.

Overnight: Pumulani

Pumulani is situated on the westside of the Nankumba Peninsula in the South end of Lake Malawi. The beauty of this lake is indescribable. The beautiful sparkling colours shimmering over the water, the clear blue skies and the panoramic vistas truly make you feel like you are in paradise. David Livingstone named Lake Malawi ‘Lake of Stars’ for good reason. According to experts this lake is home to more native fish species than any other lake in the world. The ten villas are situated in such a way that they blend in completely with the natural surroundings and the cooling grass roofs reflect the African sun.

Included

Full Board and Activities

Day 5, 6, 7:           Pumulani, Cape Maclear

Day Itinerary

Lake Malawi is the world’s most ecologically diverse lake. Its crystal clear waters are home to more than a thousand species of fish, including hundreds of species of colourful cichlids. We offer special diving courses at the best diving spots near one of the islands. For those who are interested in the real Malawian village life we offer guided walks through one of the local villages. Malawians are renowned for being amongst the friendliest people in Africa and during your stay you will have the opportunity to experience this for yourself. You can also simply relax in the beautiful and tranquil scenery or can enjoy the many other activities

Included

Full Board and Activities

Day 8:           End of Itinerary

Day Itinerary

On the final day of your stay with Pumulani you bid farewell to the lodge. You will be transferred back to Lilongwe in time for your onward connection.

E&OE