Once nearly devoid of wildlife, Majete Wildlife Reserve has blossomed into a thriving Big Five sanctuary and stands today as one of Malawi’s most remarkable conservation success stories. We spent some time with John, the Park Manager, who gave us a candid look at the ongoing challenges of conservation. One moment that stayed with us was when he showed us a wall displaying confiscated snare straps used by poachers, a stark reminder of the threats animals face. It was powerful to see just how much dedication goes into protecting this wilderness.

From the K9 unit to the tracking teams, the rangers commit themselves day and night to safeguarding the reserve. Watching their teamwork and passion up close gave us a whole new appreciation of what it takes to keep Majete wild and thriving.

Mkulumadzi

Up bright and early, duffle bags packed and adventure mode activated, Angie, Sam and Jessica were ready to roll! With our ever-smiling, fact-dropping guide Eddie behind the wheel, we set off from Lilongwe towards Blantyre, with our final destination the wild wonders of Majete Wildlife Reserve.

Snacks? Sorted. Tunes? Courtesy of DJ Sam. And in between? Eddie dropping perfectly timed “Did you know…” facts about Malawi’s history. Road trip perfection. After a quick stop in Blantyre for snacks and a leg stretch, we carried on and soon arrived at the gates of Majete. And then… the bridge.

Let us set the scene. Suspended before us was the iconic Mkulumadzi bridge, a long, swaying, Indiana Jones-style suspended walkway. We were absolutely not ready. Every step brought squeals, shrieks and dramatic complaints. Somehow, we made it across, only to be told cheerfully that we’d be crossing it again before every game drive! On the other side, we were greeted by the Mkulumadzi team and transferred to camp. Relief washed over us… until we remembered the bridge still awaited us daily.

At reception we were welcomed by the energetic and fabulous Annarie, who immediately warned us, “I talk a lot!”—and thank goodness she does. Her warmth made us feel instantly at home. Then came the grand reveal: our suites. Imagine a luxurious canvas room that rolls open onto a private deck above a roaring river. The sound of the water was hypnotic—no white noise app could ever compete. With the river as our lullaby, we had the best night’s sleep of the trip. This was nature’s soundtrack at its finest.

After a bit of relaxing and soaking it all in, we geared up for our first afternoon game drive. And who shows up as our guide? JB from Kuthengo! We had JB as our guide the previous week on a different educational trip. Total full-circle moment. He mentioned he floats between both RPS properties, and it was such a comfort seeing a familiar face in a new place.

The game drive was amazing, but dinner? Next level. At Mkulumadzi, every night’s dinner is a surprise, set up in different locations around the camp for a unique experience each time. Night one was beneath the deck near the river, fire crackling nearby, full moon glowing overhead and yes, someone stationed nearby to make sure we didn’t become lion bait while eating. Wild dining at its finest!

The next morning brought a misty, drizzly and slightly brisk game drive with Thom, our guide. Props to our fellow adventurers that we met, June and Richard (Crafted Africa clients!), who braved the front seats and bore the brunt of the “English weather” that somehow followed them to Malawi. After a tea break and some soggy laughs, we called it and headed back to camp to warm up.

In the end, Mkulumadzi was pure magic with stunning landscapes, heartwarming hospitality, and an unforgettable mix of luxury and wilderness. Oh, and about that dreaded bridge? By the third crossing, we strutted across like a pro. Fear? Conquered.

Huntingdon House

Some places feel like stepping into someone else’s beautiful daydream. Huntingdon House, set in the emerald hills of Malawi’s Satemwa Tea Estate, is exactly that.

We arrived under a rainy sky that seemed straight from a vintage film, grey clouds, crisp air and the faint scent of tea leaves in the breeze. It was definitely a day for tea! There are five unique suites inside the house: Mother’s Room, Father’s Room, The Nursery, Planters’ Suite and The Chapel, each named for its original function and decked out in antiques, high ceilings and our favourite, claw-foot tubs.

After a light lunch, we settled in for one of the house’s highlights, a tea experience where we learned the history of the estate, how Satemwa rolls, dries, and packages over 25 teas on the estate. We picked favourites (Thyolo Oolong and their Green Tea instantly won our hearts), discovered how coffee fruit pips are sorted and roasted and even tasted them!

That evening, we dined by candlelight, the fireplace crackling nearby. A delicious dinner was served, perfectly cooked fillet steak, the tastiest sweet potatoes and veg, and to top it all off, a lovely paw-paw crumble for dessert.

There are many activities on the estate that you can choose from: biking dusty trails, wandering through the estate paths, bird watching, day trips up Mount Mulanje and visits to the factory. If your idea of travel romantically involves history, hospitality and tea by the fire, Huntingdon House has your name on it!

Zomba Forest Lodge

We arrived in Zomba in the afternoon and checked in at Zomba Forest Lodge, where Tom and Petal greeted us with warm smiles, open arms and a relaxed atmosphere. After settling in, we enjoyed a delicious late lunch before heading out for a refreshing walk along one of the plateau’s winding trails. In the evening, we had dinner by candlelight and rested to prepare for the next day’s adventure.

The following morning greeted us with calm weather and blissful quiet, punctuated by birdsong echoing overhead, pure harmony. After breakfast, we checked out and said fond goodbyes to Tom and Petal. Shortly after, Eddie arrived to drive us to our next destination Kefi Hotel.

Kefi Hotel Café

Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by Dimitri and his team, who showed us to our rooms. Our guide was already prepared to lead us on a breathtaking hike up the plateau.

Our journey led us first to Queen’s View, where Queen Elizabeth once stood to admire Zomba’s awe-inspiring landscape. We paused briefly, then continued to Emperor’s View, famously visited by the Emperor of Ethiopia.

Surrounded by panoramic beauty, we enjoyed our packed lunches before continuing on to a stunning waterfall towards the end of the trail, a refreshing reward after the hike, the perfect spot to soak it all in. After some well-earned rest, we descended the plateau back to Kefi Hotel Cafe, the charming Greek-inspired hotel where we spent the night before heading off to Lilongwe the next day, sadly on our way back home.

What a breathtaking trip it was! We truly enjoyed exploring Malawi’s south and we can honestly say that each destination offers its own kind of natural beauty, rich history and memorable highlights.