Southern Malawi & South Luangwa Mid Adventure

Arrive in Malawi and transfer to Majete Wildlife Reserve. Settle into your Tented Chalet at Thawale Lodge, a peaceful retreat overlooking a floodlit waterhole where wildlife frequently gathers.

Enjoy activities like game drives, bush walks, night drives, birding excursions, boat trips, and wildlife encounters throughout the reserve.. This sanctuary is a remarkable conservation success story, offering the chance to see elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino in a thriving wilderness.

Transfers: A scenic road transfer from Chileka – Blantyre International Airport connects guests directly into Majete Wildlife Reserve through Southern Malawi’s rural landscapes.

Travel to the Satemwa Tea Estate and check into Huntingdon House. This grand colonial manor is surrounded by manicured gardens and endless rows of emerald-green tea bushes in the Shire Highlands.

Guests can enjoy tea tasting experiences, coffee tours, hiking trails, estate walks, and the relaxed atmosphere of the Shire Highlands. The estate’s rich history and tranquil surroundings create an intimate and character-filled experience. The slower pace and scenic beauty of the region provide a perfect contrast to the wildlife-focused beginning of the itinerary.

Transfers: Road transfers by a Crafted Africa Guide connects Majete Wildlife Reserve with Satemwa Tea Estate through the picturesque landscapes of Southern Malawi up to Huntingdon House.

The adventure continues to the historic town of Zomba, nestled beneath Zomba Plateau.  Kefi Hotel Café is a charming boutique property combining colonial architecture with guest comfort. Its set within a peaceful forested setting, the hotel offers panoramic views across Zomba and toward Mount Mulanje on clear days.

The relaxed atmosphere allows guests to explore nearby trails, local markets, colonial-era landmarks, and the surrounding mountain scenery. Fresh local cuisine, artisan coffee, and quiet gardens further enhance the experience. This stage of the itinerary introduces Malawi’s cultural and highland landscapes while maintaining a comfortable and relaxed travel pace

Transfers: Scenic road transfers by a Crafted Africa guide to connect Satemwa Tea Estate with Zomba through rolling highland scenery and local communities.

Transfer to Liwonde National Park, staying in an Executive Chalet at Mvuu Camp. The camp is positioned on the banks of the Shire River. Spend your days enjoying game drives, river safaris, bush walks, sundowner cruises, birdwatching, and photographic experiences while exploring the park’s varied ecosystems. Elephant, hippo, crocodile, buffalo, antelope, and prolific birdlife are frequently encountered throughout the region.

The combination of river landscapes, wildlife density, and relaxed safari atmosphere creates one of the highlights of the journey.

Transfers: Road transfers by Crafted Africa from Zomba connect guests into Liwonde National Park, through Charlie Charlie followed by a short boat transfer into the camp.

Leaving the safari landscapes behind, the journey transitions to the tranquil southern shores of Lake Malawi for a stay at The Makokola Retreat. Settle into an Executive Chalet nestled within tropical gardens along a pristine stretch of golden beach. Enjoy a variety of non-motorized watersports, including sailing and kayaking, or simply relax by the lake and soak in the tranquil atmosphere of the ‘Lake of Stars’.

The retreat offers multiple dining spaces, wellness facilities, and scenic lakefront settings ideal for unwinding. The extended stay allows time to recharge while enjoying one of Africa’s most beautiful freshwater lakes.

Transfers: Scenic overland transfers connect Liwonde National Park with the southern shores of Lake Malawi through rural villages and lakeside landscapes up to Makokola Retreat to catch the domestic flight to Mfuwe.

The final stage of the itinerary takes guests into Zambia’s renowned South Luangwa National Park, one of Africa’s finest wildlife destinations and the birthplace of the walking safari. Kafunta River Lodge occupies a spectacular location overlooking the Luangwa floodplains and river system, offering exceptional wildlife viewing directly from the property.

The lodge combines traditional safari style with comfort, relaxation, and authentic wilderness experiences. Activities include morning and night game drives, guided bush walks, village visits, cultural experiences, and wildlife viewing throughout the park. South Luangwa is particularly famous for leopard sightings, elephant herds, hippos, lions, giraffes, and prolific birdlife. The combination of diverse safari activities, excellent guiding, and panoramic river views creates a memorable conclusion to the journey.

Transfers & Flights: A scenic regional flight from Club Makokola Airstrip connects Lake Malawi with Mfuwe Airport in Zambia, followed by a short transfer into South Luangwa National Park and onward to Kafunta.

After breakfast, transfer to Mfuwe Airport for your international departure flight, marking the conclusion of your journey through the highlights of Malawi and Zambia.