A Walk on the Wild Side

Guided road transfers from Chileka International Airport to Huntingdon House in the Satemwa Tea Estates, stay for one night. Built in 1935 this was the original house of Maclean Kay the founder of Satemwa Tea Estates. It is now an exclusive lodge with five unique rooms. Care was taken to retain the unique character and history of the property while ensuring it satisfies the demands of even the most discerning traveller.
Huntingdon House and Chawani bungalow are on Satemwa; a working tea and coffee estate managed by the family.

Guided transfers to Mulanje, hike Mount Mulanje for 3 nights. Mount Mulanje, known to the locals as ‘the island in the sky’, is the highest mountain in southern-central Africa, and Sapitwa, its highest peak, overlooks the clouds from 10,000 ft and boasts unparalleled views of southern Malawi, it is well worth a visit.

Spend a minimum of 3 nights and 4 days traversing up this unique and unspoiled mountain range with a fantastic team to guide you every step of the way ensuring you are safe, well-fed and watered, well-informed and most importantly – enjoying life! Embark on an adventure of a lifetime, and enjoy the experience of climbing through tunnels, around large boulders and under curving trees and witness the most soul-nourishing and awe-inspiring views across Southern Malawi as the sun sets on another unforgettable day.

Descend the 4^th day of your hike to departure point, de-brief is done followed by a transfer to Zomba Forest Lodge, in Zomba Forest for a one night stay. 
The atmosphere here is intimate, cosy and friendly. The owners want to make sure that guests have a great time, whatever they wish to do, whether that is hiking all day or spending a hard day relaxing listening to the sounds of the forest. The property is completely run without any electricity; make sure that any items are charged prior to arrival.

Guided road transfers to Liwonde National Park, stay for two nights at Kuthengo Camp. Located on a large open plain stretching towards the Shire River in Liwonde National Park, you will find Kuthengo Camp nestled among Fever trees and Baobabs. With resident fish eagles nesting in these Baobabs, guests will be woken to ‘Africa’s voice’ calling as they rise in this wild and natural paradise.

With all the usual comforts of a Robin Pope Safaris camp, Kuthengo maintains a rustic charm, complemented by stunning views which are best appreciated from a private deck with a cold sundowner in hand, admiring the herds of waterbuck that frequent the camp area, milling about in the evening glow.

Guided road transfers to Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi and boat transfers to Mumbo Island Lodge to stay for one night. Mumbo Island is a pristine, deserted tropical island in the world’s first freshwater national park: Lake Malawi National Park. Here, just seven comfortable tents (including a double family tent) are perched on rocks high above the water and tucked into the foliage. Each tent has a hot bucket shower and ‘eco-loo’, its own shaded view-deck and hammock. Mumbo Island Camp adheres to strict principles of eco-architecture, so the dining area, bar and water sport gazebo are all hand built from timber, thatch and canvas and solar energy is used.

Boat transfer back to the mainland, guided transfers to Kumbali Country Lodge, stay for one night before proceeding to South Luangwa. Kumbali Lodge is a private lodge situated on a 650 hectare forest reserve and dairy farm in Lilongwe, Malawi. Only 10 minutes from the capital city along a quiet traffic-free road, the lodge is stylish, relaxed, and informal. Kumbali is the perfect stopover to other Malawi travel destinations.

There are a variety of things to do while staying at Kumbali Lodge. Guests can enjoy touring banana plantations, cultural sites, nature walks, hiking and biking, bird safaris, coffee tours, and spa treatments. For a more leisurely experience, take a walk through the beautifully landscaped botanical gardens or enjoy a cocktail in the sun by the beautifully designed pool, which is open year-round.

Guided road transfers across the border to Tafika Camp, South Luangwa for your two nights stay. Here, exceptional game viewing is combined with exciting activities including daily day and night drives, mountain bike safaris, walking safaris, visits to the local Mkasanga Village and micro-lighting in May (only offered in May). Tafika also has two hides which offer the opportunity of game viewing in-between activities. Hides overlook the camp waterhole which is frequented by herds of elephant, bushbuck, puku, impala, mongoose and several bird species.

Guided game drive transfer to Chikoko Tree Camp, stay for one night. Chikoko Tree is one of two intimate bush camps part of the Chikoko Trails. It is located in a remote part of South Luangwa National Park and overlooks the seasonal Chikoko River. The Chikoko Tree Camp’s uniquely raised en-suite chalets enhance the views of the spectacular surrounding acacia grove, the array of wildlife that frequent it and the associated wildlife activity that unfolds throughout the day.

Guided walking safari to Crocodile Camp, stay for one night. Located on the west bank in the South Luangwa National Park, Chikoko and Crocodile are only accessible on foot and offer a fantastic bush experience – being immersed in the idyll of remotest Africa.

Crocodile River Camp offers three chalets that all rest beneath a grove of spectacular Muchenja (Ebony) trees. The camp overlooks a dried dambo and small waterhole and is perfectly situated to enable guests to observe the daily wildlife action as it unfolds.

Flight to Mwaleshi Airport in North Luangwa, to Mwaleshi Camp – stay for one night. Hidden within a scenic bend of the Mwaleshi River 10km upstream of the confluence with the Luangwa River, the camp is a truly special and remarkable place. There are few roads in this remote area and the majority of activities are done on foot, following existing animal trails. All senses become attuned to the surrounding bush as guests experience the variations in the magical diversity of the area.

Guided transfers to Takwela Camp, stay for two nights. Takwela offers an intimate wilderness experience and the rare opportunity to visit a beautiful and unexplored area of the North Luangwa. Whilst the floodplain is not as extensive as in the mid-Luangwa, it is still prime wildlife country and will produce excellent viewing as wildlife become more accustomed to the presence of people. By virtue of its remoteness, guests will virtually have exclusive access to over 50kms of Luangwa-river frontage!

Guided road transfers to Mfuwe Airport for your flight to Jeki Airstrip (Lower Zambezi), stay for three nights. The effortless and grounded luxury that Chiawa Safaris is known for is right here at Old Mondoro. An intimate camp of only five chalets, the concept of this camp is simple – to provide guests with an authentic and unedited Zambian safari, providing a “back to the bush” atmosphere that centralizes on the wildlife and wilderness experience.

A destination in itself, Old Mondoro is owned and operated by the Cumings family of the pioneer Chiawa Camp, which boasts enhanced luxuries and bush-sophistication, making a combination safari of these two camps a most rewarding visit to the Lower Zambezi.

End of tour! Today you will be transferred to Jeki Airstrip for your flight back to Lusaka and your onward flight home.