Luxury Malawi

Satemwa Tea Estate - Huntingdon House

Day 1: Welcome to Malawi

Arrive at Chileka International Airport, Blantyre and be met by your guide who will help you to your 1.5 hour transfer to Satemwa Tea Estate for your first night's in Malawi.

Located just 40km outside Blantyre, in Thyolo District, Satemwa Tea Estate is Malawi's first fair-trade estate. Founded in 1923 by Maclean Kay, a Scottish immigrant and former rubber planter, it has since been passed down from generation to the current 3rd generation of the family.

The estate is home to Huntingdon House; originally a family home to the founders of the estate. The house has been tastefully refurbished to offer 5 unique rooms, each individually decorated to reect the quirks and character of this grand residence. Your stay here is full board. 

Satemwa Tea Estate - Huntingdon House

Day 2: Satemwa Tea Estate

Enjoy breakfast on the khonde while enjoying the incredible views of rolling hills, tea and coffee bushes, and forests.

In addition to pure relaxation, your activities will include walking tours of the estate, a tour of the factory and tea and coffee tasting (at the source). For 100 years, Satemwa has exported teas throughout the world.

If coffee harvesting is underway, you will experience that as well. 

Overnight at Huntingdon House.

Majete Wildlife Reserve - Mkulumadzi Lodge

Day 3: Arrival at Mkulumadzi Lodge

After a delicious breakfast at Huntingdon House, you will descend further into the Lower Shire River Valley before heading west to Majete Wildlife Reserve.

Truly off-the-beaten-track, this forested wilderness offers total serenity and is a real success story. The reserve, completely depleted of animals 10 years ago, now contains an abundance of wildlife due to enhanced law enforcement and community engagement. It has flourished so much that excess wildlife has even been relocated to other parks in Malawi. 

Reached by a footbridge suspended over the river, and surrounded by 7,000 hectares of private concession, Mkulumadzi enjoys an idyllic location at the conuence of two rivers shaded by giant leadwood trees and is the perfect combination of isolation and first-class facilities including a swimming pool, viewing deck, and even a deck where you can sleep out under the stars. 

Majete Wildlife Reserve - Mkulumadzi Lodge

Day 4: Whole day at Majete Reserve

Wake up early and go on a morning game activity, before returning to the camp for breakfast.

Your next activity will be mid-afternoon. Your activities within the reserve will include drives, boating, and bush walks. Keep a look out for rhinos, elephants, giraffes, lions, cheetahs and wild dogs. 

Liwonde National Park - Kuthengo Camp

Day 5: Onwards to Liwonde National Park

After your breakfast and morning activity at Mkulumadzi Lodge in Majete, travel by road to Liwonde National Park and arrive in time for lunch.

Dominated by the Shire River and its lush fringing vegetation, Liwonde really is untamed Africa, particularly at night when all you can hear is chirping frogs and grunting hippos. 

Sustaining over 400 species of birds, a huge elephant population and a flourishing population of plains game mammals, this is a fantastic safari destinaion. 

Kuthengo Camp lies sheltered by fever trees and baobabs with resident fish eagles nesting in their branches. You will be staying in one of four luxury safari tents, each having bathtubs, outdoor showers and eco-friendly air-conditioning. Enjoy the camp's rustic charm and relax on your private deck, watching the sun set over the plains and admiring the herds of waterbuck that frequently wander the camp. 

Liwonde National Park - Kuthengo Camp

Day 6: Safari experiences in Liwonde National Park

Experience more of this remarkable national park and spend your day in Liwonde National Park doing the following optional activities.

- Community Walks

- Safari Walks 

On your activity, admire cathedral-like mopane woodlands interspersed with candelabra euphorbia with good populations of buffalo and sable antelope, and take in the amazing views of Borassus palm-studded floodplains. If you love birds then enjoy easy viewing of Pel’s fishing owl, Boehm’s bee-eaters, Lilian’s lovebirds, and Livingstone’s flycatcher.

Cape Maclear - Pumulani Lodge

Day 7: Transfer to Pumulani Lodge at Cape Maclear

After your breakfast at Kuthengo Camp, travel by road to Pumulani Lodge in Cape Maclear.

Pumulani Lodge is a luxurious and exclusive beach lodge situated on the secluded shores of Lake Malawi. It is in a spectacular setting on the untouched western shore of the Nankumba Peninsula.

Watch sea-eagles swoop for the prey and admire locals fishing from dug-out canoes. Choose from the infinity pool or beachside pool for a cooling dip, and admire the spectacular views as you enjoy dinner on the veranda.

Cape Maclear - Pumulani Lodge

Day 8: Relax at Pumulani lodge

You will spend your day at the lodge doing the following activities:

- Swimming

- Kayaking

- Water Skiing

- Diving

- Sailing

Whatever you feel like doing, speak to the hotel and they will be very happy to help you. 

Cape Maclear - Pumulani Lodge

Day 9: Second day relaxing at the lodge

Choose a different activity from yesterday (or even the same if you really enjoyed it!) Today is yours to enjoy as you wish. Take to the water of the lake, or relax by the pool. 

Sengabay - Blue Zebra Island Lodge

Day 10: Onwards to Blue Zebra Island Lodge

After breakfast, set off to Sengabay.

Blue Island Zebra Lodge is situated in the Lake Malawi National Park on Nankoma island which forms part of the Marelli Island Archipelago - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The three islands are home to a vast array of fresh water fish, including some of the most rare and colourful in the world. The islands support diverse flora and fauna and are a bird watcher's paradise.

Relax at the infitiy pool, kayak round the islands, or even enjoy a game of volleyball. If you love diving the the water sports centre is PADI certified and can cater for novices and experienced divers. 

Bird lovers can search for the archipelago's feathered occupants by boat or on foot along the nature trails leading to the top of the island. 

Sengabay - Blue Zebra Island Lodge

Day 11: A whole day at Sengabay

You will spend your day on the island and it is completely up to you how you pass the time in this beautiful place. 

Optional activities include:

- Wakeboarding

- Snorkeling

- Waterskiing

- SCUBA diving

- Nature walks

- Volleyball

Likoma Island - Kayamawa

Day 12: Transfer to Kaya Mawa Lodge

After your breakfast, you will travel by boat for 45 minutes to Likoma Island.

On the white sandy beaches of Likoma Island sits Kaya Mawa, a boutique lodge that welcomes honeymooners, families and friends for an indulgent carefree getaway.

Meaning ‘maybe tomorrow’ in Chichewa/Nyanja, the ethos of Kaya Mawa is in its name. Relaxed lakeside living is woven into the style, luxury and comfort of its Houses and Rooms. Dinner by starlight, massage therapy at the spa, and snorkelling in turquoise waters. 

Built by local hands and as Malawi’s first resort run solely on renewable-energy, Kaya Mawa is firmly grounded in sustainability, community empowerment and ethical trade.

Likoma Island - Kayamawa

Day 13: Whole day on Likoma Island

Today is yours to spend as you wish. 

This area is known for incredible snorkelling and scuba-diving. Grab a snorkel an explore the waters from the beautiful sandy beaches and secluded bays or experience some of the best freshwater diving in the world. There are plenty of other water sports to partake in too such as kayaking or kite surfing - just speak to the lodge staff to find out what is on offer.

Back on land, visit the nearby Katundu artisan workshop, which provides many of the artworks and soft furnishings in the lodge and was set up by its former owner to empower local women.Or for a more active day, go for a walk, a mountain biking excursion or even a trip on quad bikes. 

Lilongwe - Tour Ends

Day 14: Farewell Malawi

After breakfast, your guide will drive you back to the airport where you will board the flight back home. We hope you had a wonderful trip!