Livingstone's Africa - Zambia & Malawi Explorer

The group will meet in Lusaka, in Zambia, at 16:00 at the lodge. This evening, after the tour briefing, we have a group dinner at the lodge (at your own expense). Overnight lodge chalet. NB: Breakfast and Lunch are not included; Dinner will be at your own expense (meal at a local restaurant).

Meals:  Nil

A long drive takes us across the rolling Miombo forested hills of southern Zambia and down into the Zambezi Valley lowlands to our lodge on the banks of the Kafue River. Being a major tributary to the Zambezi River it is the largest and longest river lying entirely within Zambia. We overnight on its banks and enjoy the sunset from the elevated deck. Overnight lodge. Approx driving distance/time: 170 kms; 3.5 hrs. NB: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge; Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be at your own expense (meal in lodge restaurant).

Meals:  B,L

We paddle down the mighty Zambezi River, home of the tribal mythical god – Nyami Nyami, canoeing past local riverside villages and magnificent scenery. We camp wild on an island in the heart of untamed Africa. NB: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge; Lunch & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we continue our canoe safari through an area teaming with elephants, hippos and other wildlife. We will be collected by a motorboat, and transferred back up river to our lodge. NB: Breakfast & Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be at your own expense (meal in lodge restaurant).

Meals:  B,L

We head north to Lusaka where we stock up on supplies in the bustling shops and markets of the Zambian capital. Taking the Great East Road we drive this afternoon until sunset. Overnight lodge chalet. Approx driving distance/time: 570 kms; 9.5 hrs. NB: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge; Lunch & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.

Meals:  B,L,D

Make our way down into “the valley” of the South Luangwa National Park. This remote region is one of Africa’s finest wildlife sanctuaries where hippo, elephants, lion and leopard abound. Our lodge, on the banks of the Luangwa River, overlooks the national park. We will explore the area on a game walk and open 4WD game drives; one at night with spotlights to see nocturnal animals. (In the green season, Dec – Apr, walks may not be possible in which case we’ll do extra game drives). Overnight lodge chalet. Approx driving distance/time: 310 kms; 5.5 hrs. NB: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge; Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be at your own expense (meal in lodge restaurant).

Meals:  B,L

We cross the border at Chipata into Malawi and make our way to the capital Lilongwe where we stock up on supplies. The afternoon is free to wander the town or explore the markets. Overnight guesthouse. Approx driving distance/time: 370 kms; 6.5 hrs (excludes border formalities). NB: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge; Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be at your own expense (meal in local restaurant).

Meals:  B,L,D

We tour one of Malawi's famous tea plantations in the Thyolo region before making our way to our lodge in Mulanje. Mount Mulanje's bare rock flanks tower to a height of 3002m, dwarfing all that surrounds it, and influencing cloud patterns and rainfall in the area. This makes it an important water source, and as such is the watershed for almost every river in the area. David Livingstone was the first European to see this imposing geological feature, however it has been home to humans since the Stone Age. We will take a day walk on the slopes of the massif for a closer look at the streams, waterfalls and towering peaks. Overnight lodge. Approx driving distance/time: 360 kms; 6.5 hrs. Day 10: Breakfast & Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be at your own expense (meal in lodge restaurant). Day 11: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge; Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be at your own expense (meal in lodge restaurant).

Meals:  B,L

Ancient baobab trees and lofty palms provide the backdrop for this magnificent southern Malawi reserve. Covering a large area of the upper Shire River plains and the surrounding slopes, the reserve is home to Malawi's largest remaining elephant population and the critically endangered black rhino. In the morning we’ll explore the grassland and woodland habitats in search of leopards, elephants, antelopes and rare Lilian’s lovebirds in our safari truck. The River Shire flows along its western border, allowing us to enjoy a river cruise safari in search of elephants, hippos, crocodiles or any other game coming down to quench their thirst in the late afternoon. Overnight camping. Approx driving distance/time: 220 kms; 5.5 hrs. Day 12: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge; Lunch & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 13: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.

Meals:  B,L,D

Lake Malawi is the jewel in the crown of Malawi and one of the Great Rift Valley lakes. We will take a boat ride on the lake to the secluded Mumbo Island near Cape Maclear. The rustic lodge is an idyllic paradise with kayaks and snorkelling gear available to explore the island and view the endemic cichlids, a type of fish abundant in Lake Malawi. Overnight lodge. Approx driving distance/time: 160 kms; 3 hrs. Note - On Mumbo Island, two of the rooms share a bathroom – rooms will be allocated by the guides. The lodge has 7 rooms (some reed & some canvas; all with thatch roof), so depending on group size and make up, this may affect single supplement options. There is no electricity on the island, so charge your camera or devices before departing to Mumbo Island. NB: Breakfast & Dinner will be provided by the lodge; Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group.

Meals:  B,L,D

Wake up to the sound of the birds on your own paradise island. Roll out of bed and head down to the beach to soak a morning of sun and relaxation or take a kayak for a paddle around the island. Stop to snorkel and be amazed by the sheer variety of colour fish. Later we catch the ferry back to mainland where we climb back onto our truck and return to Lilongwe. Overnight guesthouse. Approx driving distance/time: 270 kms; 4.5 hrs. NB: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge; Lunch will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group; Dinner will be at your own expense (meal in local restaurant).

Meals:  B,L

The trip concludes at 8;00am after breakfast. NB: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge.

Meals:  B