Our FAM trip to Malawi kicked off in full adventure mode, bright and early, with coffee-fueled excitement and Crafted Africa duffle bags in tow. Guided by the incomparable Lawrence, our scenic drive to Liwonde National Park was packed with stories, laughter, and landmark spotting—Google Maps simply couldn’t compete with real-time storytelling.

Upon arriving at the Liwonde National Park gate, we made our way to the jetty, where JB, our expert guide from Kuthengo Camp, awaited. With smiles and a warm welcome, we were ready to embark on our first safari adventure.

Kuthengo Camp

From the jetty, we set off by boat, gliding along the river as the wilderness revealed itself. Suddenly, at the water’s edge, a majestic elephant appeared, drinking peacefully. JB guided us closer in silence. The moment felt suspended in time—quiet, powerful, unforgettable.

Soon after, we arrived at Kuthengo Camp, greeted with cool drinks, warm smiles, and a safety briefing. In an open bush camp, it’s not unusual to find a lion passing by your tent—nature’s version of “room service.” After a delicious lunch, we settled into our rooms. The private decks overlooking the river quickly became our favorite spot. Angie and I sat in awe, soaking in the beauty and reflecting on how lucky we were to be here.

Our first activity was a boat safari led by Henry, a guide whose humor and knowledge made spotting hippos both entertaining and educational. The next morning, a 5:15 AM wake-up call kicked off a game drive that ultimately rewarded us with an unforgettable sight: three cheetahs lounging like royalty.

The bush came alive with playful monkeys, dramatic predator-prey moments, and classic safari wildlife: hippos, zebras, kudus, sable antelope, buffalos, warthogs, and even a lion. Kuthengo Camp offered a perfect balance of wild encounters, laughter, and tranquil beauty.

Mvuu Lodge

Nestled deep in Liwonde National Park, Mvuu Lodge is the kind of place that makes you wonder if you’ve stumbled into a dream. Surrounded by lush greenery, the lodge overlooks a peaceful lagoon that’s basically hippo central (yes, “Mvuu” means hippo in Chichewa and these chunky locals love to show up). We arrived at the jetty around lunchtime, greeted like old friends with wide smiles, cool towels, and a view so good it should’ve come with a soundtrack. Just ahead, the lodge’s restaurant perched above a wooden deck on the Shire River, as if holding front-row seats to the wild. After a quick, delicious lunch, we freshened up and got ready for our sunset game drive.

Sunset game drive, here we go! Our guide’s name was Danger (yes, really). You’d think someone named Danger would be all about thrills, but the truth is, he’s calm and steady as a rock in the bush. What he does have is a treasure trove of stories that pull you right into the wild and tales that make you feel like you’re living the adventure alongside him. Listening to Danger, you forget you’re just in a safari vehicle; it’s like the whole bush is alive with secrets he’s eager to share. The 5AM wake-up calls… honestly, in the bush, that’s a treat. The light is soft, the air cool, and the sounds of the waking wild are a better alarm clock than any phone. We headed out on foot for a walking safari, and let’s just say—the bush feels very real when there’s no vehicle between you and, well, everything else.

We hadn’t been out long when we heard it: the sharp, urgent bark of a kudu sounding the alarm. Our guide froze, eyes scanning the trees. “Lion or cheetah,” he whispered. Then, through the brush, two cheetahs appeared, moving gracefully and lit by the rising sun like streaks of gold. We stood perfectly still, not out of fear, but pure awe (okay, maybe a little fear). It was one of those rare moments that feels more like a dream than real life. But that’s the magic of Mvuu—it doesn’t just bring you close to the wild, it makes you part of it. Our last evening, as we were making our way back in the fading light, we spotted something up ahead. Danger slowed the vehicle and said quietly, “Hold on.” There, sprawled across the road like they owned it, was a pride of lions. One by one, they stirred, rose, and padded toward a nearby watering hole, completely unfazed. We spent time just watching them, soaking in the quiet power of these magnificent animals in their element.

We finally got back to the lodge and sat down for dinner with Dani, the lodge manager, and Wesley, two people whose passion for conservation and hospitality radiates from every story they tell. As if the lions, cheetahs, and stories hadn’t already won us over, came the food. Mvuu’s kitchen delivers big: the freshest herbs and veggies straight from their garden, creative plates that feel both homely and luxurious. We were warned the food was GOOD. Let’s just say we were very satisfied.

The rooms were raised chalets tucked among trees, with river views and a nighttime soundtrack of hippos, crickets, and the occasional rustling in the bush. One evening, we sat outside on the deck, wrapped in that kind of stillness you only get in the bush. We heard something moving in the leaves below. We flicked on a torch, casually scanning the ground, and there it was—a civet! A quiet little moment, but surreal in the best way. By day two, moments like these somehow felt perfectly normal.

Sustainability is woven into everything here. From solar-powered systems to water filtration, composting, and a lush veggie garden that thrives without waste, Mvuu truly walks the talk. On our final morning, mist lingered over the Shire, low and slow, as if the bush was taking its time to wake. We sat on the deck with our coffee, watching the river slowly reappear… until a sudden, sharp call from a fish eagle echoed through the mist. Surreal. By breakfast, the sun was out, birds were busy, and our last meal on the deck felt extra special. Bags reluctantly packed, we said our goodbyes to Dani and Wesley, who sent us off with warm smiles. We left full: heart, belly, and memory card.

Pumulani Lodge

After wrapping up the thrilling safari leg of our FAM trip, it was time to shift gears. From adrenaline-pumping game drives to soul-soothing serenity, our next destination? The mesmerising shores of Lake Malawi. Where better to begin the “relax and unwind” chapter than the extraordinary Pumulani Lodge?

Perched gracefully on a lush hillside, Pumulani is the kind of place that instantly steals your breath. After a winding (and delightfully bumpy) ride, we were greeted with warm, beaming smiles and an ice-cold peach iced tea. Angie and I stayed in the bush view villa, and “stunning” doesn’t even begin to cover it. The villa’s lounge featured a full wall of glass looking into the surrounding forest, blurring the line between luxury and nature. It felt like living in a treehouse—if that treehouse came with a decadent bathtub practically begging for bubbles and candles.

As we freshened up and strolled to the main area, cheeky monkeys scampered playfully along the pathways, our new neighbours in this tropical haven. At dinner, we reunited with a British family we’d met at Kuthengo—a joyful surprise. After good food, laughter, and lots of photos, we were ready for the highlight of the evening: a sunset cruise on Lake Malawi. With a Malawi gin and tonic in hand, we set sail across shimmering waters. The lake glowed gold under the setting sun, and at one magical moment, a lone man paddled his canoe into the fiery horizon. It was like the Malawi Gin label come alive—the slogan “The Spirit of Malawi” finally made perfect sense.

Back on shore, Pumulani transformed under the stars. Our dinner table was set at the edge of the deck, where the lake shimmered with boat lights against a blanket of stars. Dinner was divine, but the homemade ice cream? Worth every single spoonful. Evenings at Pumulani Lodge felt like something from a fairytale—luxury woven seamlessly into the natural rhythm of Lake Malawi.

Mumbo Island

Imagine a place with no signal, no electricity—just sky, water, and nature’s rhythm. That’s Mumbo Island, a barefoot paradise in Lake Malawi National Park. We arrived after a peaceful boat journey from Cape Maclear, skimming across glassy waters. Step off the boat and everything shifts. You’re in a different world—eco-conscious, serene, and completely off-grid. Mumbo hosts just five chalets, each perched on rocks above the water and connected to the main island by a wooden walkway. There’s also a family tent nearby, keeping capacity to a maximum of 14 guests. Hammocks on private decks, eco-bathrooms with bucket showers, and compost toilets keep things simple yet deeply rewarding.

We spent our mornings reading in hammocks, listening to the wind and the soft call of the African fish eagle. The lake sparkled in every shade of blue and green, and sunlight danced across its surface. Our evenings brought cinematic magic. On a sunset cruise, the glowing sun dipped into the horizon as we sipped ice-cold gin and tonics. A fish eagle swooped dramatically mid-flight, snatching its dinner from the lake in a scene so perfect it silenced conversation.

Mumbo Island runs on solar power. Waste and greywater are carried off the island, leaving behind nothing but footprints. It’s eco-travel at its purest, offering stillness and solitude without compromise. Remote enough to reset your mind, wild enough to awaken your spirit, simple enough to remind you what matters.

Blue Zebra Island Lodge

Getting to Blue Zebra Lodge already felt like an adventure. A 20-minute speedboat zipped us across Lake Malawi, each wave carrying us further into relaxation. By the time we reached Nankoma Island, our shoulders had dropped, and the pace of peace had taken over. Warm smiles and cold towels greeted us. The island is blissfully signal-free, where birdsong replaces notifications and the infinity pool becomes your front-row seat to serenity.

Days at Blue Zebra were packed with highlights. Kayaking around the island gave us quiet moments of peace—paddles dipping gently, the occasional cry of a fish eagle overhead, and crystal-clear waters beneath us. Snorkelling revealed a dazzling underwater world of brightly coloured cichlids darting around us like living confetti. It felt surreal, like swimming inside a tropical screensaver. On our second day, we explored the island’s trails. Though we didn’t make it to the viewpoint, we reached the ancient baobab tree, a giant standing like a storyteller of centuries past. Its shade was a place of reflection and gratitude. Wildlife didn’t stay away either—we even had a casual encounter with a beautiful spotted bush snake (non-venomous, just curious).

Because nothing says “island escape” like a massage under a canopy of trees, we treated ourselves at the Blue Zebra spa, where the lake breeze and birdsong turned relaxation into a full reset. Evenings meant sunset cruises—gin and tonic in hand, golden skies reflecting off the lake. Back on shore, we were welcomed by Jen and Mike, the heart of Blue Zebra. Their stories, warmth, and passion for this island community added an unforgettable layer of connection to our stay. Blue Zebra Lodge is more than a lodge—it’s a gentle kind of magic, where luxury is effortless, the wild is welcome, and peace moves at its own rhythm.

From thrilling walking safaris in Liwonde National Park to the barefoot paradise of Lake Malawi’s islands, our FAM trip revealed Malawi as a destination where wild adventure and serene luxury coexist seamlessly. Whether it’s cheetah sightings at Kuthengo, starlit civet encounters at Mvuu, golden sunsets at Pumulani, off-grid eco-paradise at Mumbo, or soulful island living at Blue Zebra, Malawi is a land of unforgettable journeys.