Northern Malawi

Arrive into Lilongwe airport where you pick up your vehicle before heading to spend the first night at Heuglin’s Lodge – a small friendly guest house in the suburbs of Lilongwe.

Your destination for the next two nights is Luwawa Forest Lodge in the Viphya Plateau area. Accommodation is basic but comfortable and the dining is excellent. Luwawa is a place to relax, with forest hikes, guided nature walks and birding the main focus.

Drive north to spend the next three days at Chelinda Lodge in the Nyika Plateau National Park.  Nyika is an enchanting blend of breathtaking landscapes, unique wildlife, and mystical beauty. At an altitude of 6,500 ft above sea level, Nyika is possibly the largest area of high montane grassland left in Africa. The park features rolling grasslands, crisscrossed by deep valleys, with occasional forest patches, and a succession of hills and rocky outcrops with breathtaking view.

Leave Nyika and make your way to Lake Malawi via Mzuzu. Continue on south as far as Chinteche where you spend the night by the lake at Makuzi Beach Lodge.  The Makuzi property is well-known for its spectacular gardens and the lodge’s spice farm next door is one of the first spice farms in Malawi – producing cacao, vanilla, cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom, tamarind, turmeric, galangal, and ginger. The fruit trees, vegetables, herbs and spices are all utilised in the  kitchen, and the lodge guarantees fresh organic meals.

Drive south to the Thuma Forest Reserve where you spend the next two nights at Kaphulika House. Kaphulika isn’t just a luxurious escape; it’s a testament to conservation and a celebration of Malawi’s rich culture. At Kaphulika, every detail whispers a story of conservation and community. Locally crafted furniture and artisan accents blend seamlessly with thoughtfully curated antiques, showcasing the heart and soul of Malawi. The income generated by Kaphulika directly supports the tireless efforts of the Wildlife Action Group. Here, your presence becomes a powerful act for the protection of Thuma Forest Reserve’s precious wildlife, including its elephant population – a rare conservation success story.

The next three nights are spent at Mumbo Island – a pristine and deserted island floating to the north of Cape Maclear. With a maze of massive underwater boulders, innumerable species of colourful cichlid fish and calm, clear water, the area around Mumbo offers what many consider the best freshwater snorkeling diving in the world. Mumbo Island is only 1km in diameter and has never been populated so it remains in a pristine, natural state. Kayak Africa run Mumbo as an entirely off grid, green camp so that it remains as unspoilt and perfect as it has been forever. Activities offered in the area focus on the lake and include kayaking, nature trails, birdwatching, snorkelling and sunset cruises.

Make your way back towards Lilongwe, spending the night at Dedza Pottery Lodge. Accommodation here is basic but functional and there is a restaurant. Dedza is internationally recognised as an established pottery business, and the company employs over 100 people, playing an important role in the local community.

Drive back to Lilongwe where you return the vehicle before spending the final night again at Heuglin’s Lodge in the suburbs of Lilongwe.