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A Great Introduction to Malawi

MALAWI REVEALED

Suggested itinerary for two adults…
A journey through the warm heart of Africa. This itinerary is designed for those who value intimacy over scale, discovery over routine. Over eleven days, Journey Africa introduces you to Malawi’s most inspiring landscapes: from the rolling highlands of Zomba to the wild floodplains of Liwonde, and finally to the crystalline waters of Lake Malawi.

Our curated itinerary balances comfort and curiosity with privately guided drives, handpicked lodges, and time to pause in places few ever linger. It’s a journey that connects to land, wildlife, and the quiet rhythm of a country known as the Warm Heart of Africa.

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DAY ONE

 

Arrival in Blantyre

On arrival in Blantyre, you’re met and transferred to your guesthouse in this gentle, historic city. Nestled among soft hills and shaded avenues, Blantyre offers a calm introduction to Malawi’s warmth. Explore its old stone buildings or stroll through vibrant markets where artisans carve, weave, and trade beneath the jacaranda trees.

Accommodation suggestion

Mijn Kitchen Guesthouse

This charming guesthouse is in a leafy neighbourhood nestled in the heart of Blantyre, Malawi. This small family-owned business boasts a cosy coffee shop specialising in artisanal foods and freshly brewed coffee, as well as a fully furnished bed and breakfast. Light-filled rooms, a serene courtyard, and thoughtful service make it a restful beginning before your journey into the wild.

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DAY TWO AND THREE

Into Majete Wildlife Reserve

Your journey into the wild goes south to Majete Wildlife Reserve, a conservation success story where Malawi’s wilderness has been restored with quiet determination. Here, elephants wander freely once more, lions patrol acacia thickets, and sable antelope graze along the Shire River. Game drives trace the riverbanks, while guided walks reveal the subtle rhythms of the bush, fresh tracks, birdsong, warm dust underfoot.

Accommodation suggestion

Thawale Lodge

This is an authentic safari lodge, a rustic haven, set beside a waterhole that draws wildlife throughout the day. Watch elephants from your veranda, dine under open skies, and fall asleep to the distant call of hyena and nightjar.

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DAY FOUR AND FIVE

The Zomba Plateau

From Majete, travel north to the Zomba Plateau, a highland retreat wrapped in cool mist and green forest. Once a colonial hill station, Zomba now invites exploration on foot or by mountain bike: trails wind through cedar groves, past waterfalls, to sweeping viewpoints that overlook the plains. Birdlife abounds, from sunbirds to buzzards gliding above the cliffs. Each turn offers a sense of calm and clarity.

Accommodation suggestion

Zomba Forest Lodge

This lodge is a unique, boutique, off-grid guesthouse, a charming owner-run retreat hidden within the trees. The lodge’s atmosphere is unhurried and personal, with log fires, hearty home-cooked meals, and views that stretch to the horizon. Evenings here invite conversation, reflection, and the scent of pine carried on mountain air.

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DAYS SIX AND SEVEN

Liwonde National Park

Descend from the highlands into Liwonde National Park, where the Shire River draws together one of Malawi’s richest ecosystems. Cruise through papyrus channels, watching elephants bathe in the shallows and crocodiles bask on sun-warmed banks. Day and night drives reveal antelope, lion, and an extraordinary array of birdlife with over 400 species. This is safari at its most immersive, defined by stillness and space.

Accommodation suggestion

Mvuu Camp

A tented haven overlooking a broad stretch of the Shire River, offering effortless comfort in the heart of the park. A mix of spacious stone and canvas chalets open to the breeze; evenings unfold by lantern light as hippos grunt nearby and stars gather above the water.

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DAYS EIGHT TO ELEVEN

Lake Malawi and Mumbo Island

Your final chapter takes you north along the lakeshore, then by boat to Mumbo Island, a sanctuary of peace floating above the turquoise waters of Lake Malawi. Uninhabited and protected, the island feels timeless. Spend your days kayaking across glassy bays, snorkelling among vividly coloured cichlids, or reading in a hammock suspended over the lake. The stillness here is luxurious, the simplicity deliberate. At the end of your time here, you go by boat and drive to Lilongwe for your onward journey home.

Accommodation suggestion

Mumbo Island Camp

A secluded eco-lodge blending comfort with sustainability. Built from reed, wood, and thatch, each chalet perches among boulders with panoramic lake views. Candlelight dinners, soft breezes, and the sound of lapping water mark each evening’s close.

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Space to Breathe

This journey through the warm heart of Africa is more than a route through Malawi; it’s a quiet awakening. From the untamed beauty of Majete to the serenity of Zomba’s forests and the luminous calm of Lake Malawi, each place reveals another facet of this soulful country.

For those who travel to feel deeply and return changed, this itinerary offers space to breathe, to reconnect, and to remember the pure joy of discovery.

Cost

From £4,150
per person based on 2 adults travelling

Please note: this is a suggested starting price. It can be fully customised based on your preferred experiences, travel dates, and length of stay.
  • Return indirect economy flights from London to Malawi.

  • 10-night accommodation, all meals included.

  • All guided road transfers throughout the trip.

  • All excursions as per the itinerary, including game drives, guided walks and boat safaris.

  • 24/7 support whilst travelling.