3-day snorkeling and safari from Lilongwe: Lake Malawi cichlids

Cichlids found nowhere else, hippos at dusk, and African fish eagles diving for their catch.

A 3-day private tour from Lilongwe combining Lake Malawi National Park and Liwonde National Park, with your own vehicle and Malawian driver-guide. Day one: boat to Thumbi West Island to watch fish eagles, then snorkel the cichlid beds at the Fish Aquarium. Day two: game drive and Shire River boat safari in Liwonde, where elephant herds and hippo pods move through the water. Day three: final morning game drive before the return transfer. Two nights' lodging, all meals, park entry and transport from Lilongwe or Blantyre are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Cape Maclear: fish eagles and snorkelling

• Drive from Lilongwe or Blantyre
• Check in at lakeside lodge
• Boat cruise to Thumbi West Island
• Watch African fish eagles
• Snorkel over cichlid beds

Day 2: Across to Liwonde National Park

• Breakfast at lodge
• Transfer to Liwonde National Park
• Afternoon game drive
• Boat safari on Shire River

Day 3: Morning game drive and return

• Early morning game drive
• Transfer back to Lilongwe or Blantyre

The experience

The boat ride to Thumbi West Island sets the pace for the first afternoon. You watch African fish eagles swoop down to the water, then slip into the cichlids' habitat at the Fish Aquarium: hundreds of brightly coloured fish that exist nowhere else on earth. The snorkelling happens in a protected zone inside the UNESCO-listed Lake Malawi National Park, and the lodge where you stay that night sits on the lakeshore in Cape Maclear.

The second day moves south to Liwonde National Park on the Shire River. A game drive in the afternoon puts you in front of elephant herds, sable antelope, kudu and, if the timing aligns, black rhino. Then a boat safari at dusk carries you past hippo pods crowding the shallows, basking crocodiles and hundreds of water birds as the light fades. You sleep at a safari lodge inside or next to the park.

The final morning game drive departs at first light, when animals are most active and the sun is still low. After that, your driver-guide transfers you back to Lilongwe or Blantyre for your onward journey. Because the tour is fully private (your own vehicle, your own guide, your own pace), the stops and timing bend to what you want to see and how long you want to stay.

What’s included

• Two nights' accommodation in a lakeside lodge at Cape Maclear and a safari lodge in Liwonde.
• boat cruise to Thumbi West Island with fish eagle viewing and snorkelling at the Fish Aquarium.
• private vehicle with a Malawian driver-guide for all transfers and game drives.
• all national park entry fees.
• game drives and a Shire River boat safari in Liwonde.
• all meals.
• airport or hotel pickup in Lilongwe or Blantyre.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (3 to 17 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 6 days before the start.Between 2 and 6 days before the start, 50% refund.After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Anake taxi and tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want your own vehicle and guide so you can set the pace and linger at the sites that grip you most. The private format means no group schedule to follow and no time pressure between the snorkelling, the fish eagles and the Liwonde safaris.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 17 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What are the cichlids at the Fish Aquarium, and why snorkel there instead of just looking from the boat?

The cichlids are hundreds of small, brilliantly coloured fish found only in Lake Malawi, and they live in the shallow beds you can reach by snorkelling. The Fish Aquarium is a protected zone where you enter the water among them rather than watching from above. It is the main reason most people come to Cape Maclear.

How much time do I spend snorkelling on day one, and is there anything else to do at Cape Maclear?

The itinerary includes the boat ride to Thumbi West Island and the snorkelling at the Fish Aquarium in the afternoon after you arrive and check into your lodge. The boat also stops to watch the fish eagles dive, so the afternoon combines both activities in one outing.

What animals might I see on the Liwonde game drives, and how likely is it to spot a black rhino?

The game drives target elephant herds, sable antelope and kudu, which are regularly seen in Liwonde National Park. Black rhino are present but less common, so they are listed as a possibility rather than a guarantee. The morning drive at first light offers the best chance because animals are most active then.

What is the difference between the boat safari on the Shire River and the game drive in Liwonde?

The game drive is on land in a vehicle, where you search for animals like elephant and antelope on the savanna. The boat safari is on the Shire River at dusk, where you see hippos, crocodiles and water birds from the water. The two offer different angles on the park's wildlife.

Does the price include drinks, or do I pay separately for water and alcohol at the lodges?

All meals are included in the tour price, but drinks and personal spending are not covered, so you will pay separately for any beverages beyond what comes with meals.