Itinerary
- Day 1
Lusaka
You'll land in Lusaka around 4 p.m. and head straight to your lodge. Your tour guide and fellow travelers are waiting there for an introductory meeting to go over what's coming up on the trip. Dinner is on your own, so you'll grab something at the lodge.
Optional Activities
- Dinner at the lodge
- Day 2
Lusaka to Kafue River
Today you're driving through the Miombo Hills for about 4.5 hours (175 km) to get down into Zambia's lowlands. By afternoon you'll reach your lodge right on the Kafue River. From there you can relax by the pool or sit back and watch elephants coming down to drink at the water's edge.
Included Activities
- Safari truck transfer through Miombo Hills
Optional Activities
- Pool relaxation
- Wildlife spotting from lodge (elephants)
Landmarks Kafue River - Days 3 - 4
Kafue River to Lower Zambezi Valley
You'll paddle downstream by canoe through river villages and scenic valleys into the Lower Zambezi. That night you're camping in a tent on an untouched island. The next day continues with more paddling and wildlife watching from the water, where you might see elephants, hippos and birds. Local guides are with you the whole time, then you'll take a motorboat back to the lodge in the afternoon.
Included Activities
- Canoe safari downstream through river villages
- Canoe safari continuation with wildlife observations
- Motorboat transfer back to lodge
Optional Activities
- Wildlife spotting (elephants, hippos, birds)
Landmarks Lower Zambezi Valley - Day 5
Kafue River to Lusaka to Eastern Route
This is a long driving day heading north to Lusaka (9-10 hours, 570 km). You'll have time to hit up markets and stores in the city to stock up on supplies. From there you'll continue on the Great East Road through villages and small markets, arriving at your lodge as evening comes.
Included Activities
- Safari truck transfer through Zambia
- Supply shopping in Lusaka
- Days 6 - 8
South Luangwa National Park
You're driving about 5 hours (330 km) north to South Luangwa National Park in the Luangwa River valley. Over the next three days you'll explore with local guides on foot and in open safari vehicles, tracking hippos, crocodiles, elephants, lions and leopards. You'll watch elephants cross the Luangwa River from camp and go on sunset game drives with spotlights to see nocturnal animals. By day 8 afternoon you can either relax at the lodge or take optional hikes, game drives or visit nearby villages.
Included Activities
- Safari truck transfer to South Luangwa National Park
- Guided hikes in national park
- Game drives in open safari vehicle
- Sunset game drive with spotlight wildlife viewing
Optional Activities
- Lodge relaxation
- Additional exploration hikes
- Additional game drives
- Village visits
Landmarks South Luangwa National Park Luangwa River - Day 9
South Luangwa to Lilongwe
You'll cross into Malawi at the Chipata border post and drive about 9-10 hours (370 km) to Lilongwe, Malawi's capital. After picking up supplies in the city, the afternoon is free to walk around Lilongwe or check out the markets.
Included Activities
- Safari truck transfer to Lilongwe
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Lilongwe
- Browse city markets
Landmarks Chipata Border Post - Days 10 - 11
Lilongwe to Thyolo to Mulanje
Day 10 takes you to one of Malawi's tea plantations in Thyolo, then you'll drive about 9 hours (360 km) to your lodge in Mulanje. Day 11 is a full-day guided hike around Mulanje massif, a 3,002-meter peak formed 130 million years ago. The trail goes through mountain landscape with cliffs, streams and waterfalls, and local guides pick routes based on your group's fitness level.
Included Activities
- Visit to tea plantation in Thyolo region
- Full-day guided hike around Mulanje massif
Landmarks Mulanje Massif - Days 12 - 13
Mulanje to Liwonde National Park
You're heading about 5-6 hours (200 km) to Liwonde National Park on Lake Malawi's southern edge. The park has baobabs, palm trees and swamps with Malawi's largest elephant population and tons of birds. You'll take a boat tour on the Shire River to get close to hippos, then do game drives looking for leopards, antelopes and the rare Lilian's lovebird in grassland and forest.
Included Activities
- Safari truck transfer to Liwonde National Park
- Boat tour on Shire River
- Game drive in open safari vehicle
Landmarks Liwonde National Park Shire River Lake Malawi - Days 14 - 15
Lake Malawi National Park and Nankoma Island
Drive about 6 hours (280 km) to Lake Malawi National Park and take a boat to remote Nankoma Island, which will be yours alone during your stay. Your lodge sits in paradise where you can relax in hammocks. You've got complimentary kayaks and snorkeling gear at your disposal, plus swimming and beach walks. Keep an eye out for the colorful cichlid fish that live in the lake.
Included Activities
- Boat transfer to Nankoma Island
- Complimentary kayak use
- Complimentary snorkeling equipment
Optional Activities
- Swimming
- Beach walks around island
- Wildlife spotting (cichlids)
Landmarks Lake Malawi National Park Nankoma Island 
- Day 16
Nankoma Island to Lilongwe
After waking to birdsong and lake views, you'll head back on the ferry to the mainland. From there it's about 3 hours (120 km) to Lilongwe airport, where the tour wraps up around 11 a.m. You can either depart then or book an extension program to keep going.
Included Activities
- Boat transfer from Nankoma Island
- Safari truck transfer to Lilongwe airport
Optional Activities
- Extension program booking
