Tour Overview
| Duration | 14 Days / 13 Nights |
|---|---|
| Country | Malawi — Off the Beaten Track |
| Price From | $8,099 per person (twin share) |
| Tour Style | Adventure Safari / Wilderness Expedition |
| Data Source | SafariBookings — 2026 (Wayfairer Travel) |
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrive Lilongwe
Arrival in Malawi’s capital. Transfer to your hotel. Afternoon visit to the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre. Welcome dinner featuring nsima (Malawi’s staple maize porridge) with local relishes. Overnight in Lilongwe.
Day 2: South Viphya Forest Reserve
Drive north to the South Viphya Forest Reserve — Malawi’s largest man-made forest covering 53,000 hectares of pine and eucalyptus. Hike through trails with views over Lake Malawi shimmering in the distance. Bird watching for the endemic Lillian’s lovebird and whyte’s barbet. Overnight at a forest lodge.
Day 3-4: Nyika Plateau National Park
Two days on the Nyika Plateau, Malawi’s largest national park at 2,500 meters above sea level. This is unlike any other African safari — rolling grasslands, wildflowers, and montane forest reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands. Nyika has the highest density of leopards in Central Africa. Day 3: game drive spotting roan antelopes, zebras, elands, and over 400 bird species. Day 4: guided walking safari through the grasslands, visit to the Livingstone and Chisanga waterfalls. Overnight at Chelinda Lodge.
Day 5: Lake Malawi North Shore
Descend from the highlands to the northern shore of Lake Malawi. Arrive at a secluded beach lodge near Chitimba. Afternoon snorkeling at a nearby island. Overnight at the beach lodge.
Day 6: Livingstonia Mission
Drive up the hairpin bends of the Livingstonia Escarpment to the historic Livingstonia Mission, founded by Scottish missionaries in 1894. Visit the stone church with its stunning stained glass, the mission hospital, and the museum. Panoramic views over Lake Malawi from 900 meters above. Overnight at the beach lodge.
Day 7-8: Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve
Two days in Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, another of Malawi’s remarkable conservation stories. African Parks translocated 500 elephants and 2,000 other animals here in 2016-2017. Day 7: game drive and boat safari on the Bua River. Day 8: walking safari — Nkhotakota is one of Africa’s best places for on-foot wildlife encounters. Overnight at a riverside tented camp.
Day 9-10: Lake Malawi — Senga Bay
Two days of lakeside relaxation at Senga Bay. Day 9: dhow sailing, snorkeling among cichlids at Lizard Island, fresh fish barbecue on the beach. Day 10: visit to the Kuti Wildlife Reserve en route south — zebras, giraffes, and antelopes. Overnight at Senga Bay.
Day 11-12: Liwonde National Park
Two days in Liwonde. Day 11: full day of game drives and boat safaris on the Shire River — elephants, hippos, crocodiles, sable antelopes. Day 12: morning walking safari, afternoon sundowner cruise. Farewell bush dinner under the African stars. Overnight at Liwonde.
Day 13: Zomba Plateau
Drive south to the Zomba Plateau. Hike to Queen’s View and Emperor’s View — breathtaking panoramas of the Shire Valley and Mount Mulanje in the distance. Visit the Zomba market for last-minute Malawian crafts. Overnight at a colonial-era lodge on the plateau.
Day 14: Depart Blantyre
Morning descent from Zomba. Transfer to Chileka Airport in Blantyre. Zikomo kwambiri — thank you very much, Malawi!
Inclusions
- 13 nights accommodation (forest lodge, luxury camp, beach lodge, riverside camp)
- All meals and drinks
- Airport transfers
- Expert guide
- All game drives, walking safaris, boat safaris
- Snorkeling and kayaking equipment
- All park and reserve fees
Why Off-Road Malawi
- Nyika Plateau — Africa’s most unexpected safari: montane grasslands with leopards at 2,500m
- Nkhotakota — 500 elephants translocated in one of Africa’s most ambitious rewilding projects
- Livingstonia — a Scottish mission perched on the edge of the Great Rift Valley with epic lake views
- Zero crowds — Malawi’s remote northern parks see fewer visitors in a year than the Serengeti sees in a day
- The ultimate African road trip — diverse landscapes from highland plateau to tropical lake shore
