Malawi & Zambia Adventure – Green Season

Set in the scenically beautiful Thyolo district, Huntingdon House offers a glimpse into a bygone era on a working tea and coffee estate managed by the founding family. Built in the mid-1930s, this historic manor boasts magnificent views of Mount Mulanje and the Lower Shire valley, surrounded by manicured gardens and rolling hills of emerald, green plantations.

Settle into your Ensuite Double Room and immerse yourself in the colonial magic of the area. Spend your days enjoying guided tea tastings, exploring mountain bike and hiking trails, or playing croquet on the lawns before relaxing in the temperate climate of the Shire Highlands.

Transfers & Flights: Your journey begins with your arrival at Blantyre (Chileka) International Airport, followed by a scenic 2-hour private road transfer to Huntingdon House.

Located on the outer slopes of the iconic Zomba Plateau, this unique boutique guest house is nestled within 20 acres of mixed lush woodland. Zomba Forest Lodge is an environmentally minded, completely off-grid retreat, utilizing candles, paraffin lamps, and solar lights to create a cozy, romantic ambiance that fosters a simpler, more peaceful way of life.

Your Double/Twin Room offers the perfect base to unwind, recharge, and connect with nature. Hike the trails leading up the plateau, search for rare birds and seasonal orchids right from the veranda or take a gentle stroll through the forest with the lodge’s friendly dogs.

Mvuu Camp overlooks a broad, scenic stretch of the Shire River in Liwonde National Park, acting as a natural magnet for an incredible abundance of wildlife. Your Standard Tent places you right in the heart of the action, with an impressive, thatched dining and lounge area situated between two enormous baobabs.

The next three days are dedicated to thrilling wilderness exploration. Take part in early morning bush walks, slow sailing river safaris, and open-vehicle game drives to spot elephants, hippos, and crocodiles, capping off your days with dinners sometimes served under the stars in a specially constructed boma. 

Transfers & Flights: Enjoy a 2.5-hour road transfer from Zomba to the Charlie Charlie pick-up point, followed by a quick 20-minute boat transfer across the river to Mvuu Camp.

Beautiful almost beyond belief, The Makokola Retreat rests on the palm-fringed southern shore of Lake Malawi, a stunning body of water home to more fish species than any other freshwater lake on Earth. Your Superior Room is set among brilliantly green gardens, with public areas opening directly onto the beach and offering amazing vistas across the calm blue waters.

Designed to blend in harmony with its natural surroundings, the retreat perfectly captures the essence of African design, culture, and tradition. Spend your leisure time snorkeling, waterskiing, sailing, or simply unwinding by the pool, enjoying an al fresco dining experience at the Lago restaurant.

Transfers & Flights: After a 20-minute boat transfer back to Charlie Charlie, a 3-hour road transfer takes you to the pristine shores of Cape Maclear at The Makokola Retreat.

Cross into Zambia and arrive at Nkwali Camp, an intimate riverside property set on Robin Pope Safaris’ private land overlooking South Luangwa National Park. Designed in natural bamboo and thatch, your open-fronted Bush chalet provides a spacious en-suite bathroom and uninterrupted views of the Luangwa River and a nearby lagoon.

South Luangwa is world-renowned for its incredibly diverse landscapes and dense predator populations, earning it the title of the “Valley of the Leopard”. Experience the birthplace of the famous walking safari firsthand with expert guides, or take game drives and seasonal boat safaris to marvel at the rich wildlife that congregates around the most intact major river system in Africa.

Transfers & Flights: Depart via a short flight from Club Makokola Airstrip to Lilongwe International Airport (LLW), connecting to an domestic flight to Mfuwe Airport (MFU). From there, a camp representative will transfer you directly to Nkwali Camp.

Nestled on a sweeping bend of the Luangwa River, Nsefu Camp is a historic safari property located in the remote Nsefu Sector, one of Africa’s most unspoiled wilderness areas. You will stay in one of just six traditional brick-and-thatch rondavels, preserving the original 1950s character of Zambia’s very first photographic safari camp.

Dining is an atmospheric affair, often taking place outdoors with views of elephants crossing the river or under a canopy of stars. Your days here are filled with remarkable open-vehicle game drives and walking safaris led by knowledgeable guides and armed scouts, alongside cultural visits and time spent in the wildlife-viewing hide overlooking a busy waterhole.

Transfers & Flights: Enjoy a scenic camp-to-camp transfer from Nkwali traversing deeper into the park to reach the remote Nsefu Camp.

Return to the familiar comfort of Nkwali Camp‘s Bush chalets for one last night in the Zambian wilderness. It’s the perfect opportunity to catch any sightings you may have missed.

Spend your final afternoon soaking up the sights from the distinctive open-air bar built around a large ebony tree, or watch elephants drink near the swimming pool, reflecting on an unforgettable safari before your departure the next morning.

Transfers & Flights: A road transfer takes you from Nsefu Camp back to Nkwali Camp for your final night.

Time to say “Goodbye”. Today you will connect with your international departure flight in Lusaka, marking the end of your extraordinary 18-day adventure. You depart with lasting memories of Malawi‘s vibrant waters and the truly pristine, untouched wilderness of Zambia.

Transfers & Flights: Transfer from Nkwali Camp to Mfuwe Airport (MFU), where you will board a Proflight to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka.