6-day Malawi Safari and Lake Experience from Lilongwe

Wildlife and water: safari game drives, boat trips on the Shire River, and lakeside relaxation in six days.

A 6-day tour from Lilongwe that moves through Malawi's national parks and ends on Lake Malawi's shores. You start with a private guide and chauffeur from the airport, spend two days on guided game drives and river safaris at Liwonde National Park searching for elephants, hippos and sable antelope, then shift to Cape Maclear for lake time. All accommodations, meals and transport between sites are included. The itinerary pairs wildlife viewing with water-based relaxation.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Lilongwe

• Arrive at Lilongwe International Airport
• Meet private guide and chauffeur
• Check in at Latitude 13° Hotel
• Enjoy spa session
• Have welcome dinner at hotel restaurant

Day 2: Explore Lilongwe

• Take private city tour of Lilongwe
• Visit Lilongwe Wildlife Centre
• Explore local art and crafts markets
• Lunch at Kumbali Lodge
• Visit Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary
• Enjoy private wine tasting at hotel

Day 3: Transfer to Liwonde National Park

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Liwonde National Park
• Check in at Mvuu Camp
• Lunch and relax at camp
• Guided game drive or boat safari
• Enjoy sundowner in the bush
• Dinner at camp

Day 4: Safari at Liwonde National Park

• Guided game drives in morning
• Lunch and relax at camp
• Boat safari on Shire River
• Enjoy sundowner overlooking river
• Dinner at camp

Day 5: Lake Malawi Experience

• Breakfast at camp
• Drive to Cape Maclear on Lake Malawi
• Check in at lakeside lodge
• Relax or snorkel, kayak, or boat cruise
• Dinner overlooking lake

Day 6: Travel to Lilongwe, End tour

• Drive from lodge to Kamuzu International Airport
• Depart from Lilongwe

The experience

Your guide meets you at Lilongwe International Airport and takes you to Latitude 13° Hotel, a boutique property in the leafy Area 43 neighbourhood. After check-in, you have a spa session and welcome dinner at the hotel's restaurant. The next day, a private city tour covers the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre and local art markets, with lunch at Kumbali Lodge and an afternoon at the Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary for bird watching or walks. That evening brings a private wine tasting back at the hotel before you depart for the parks.

A scenic drive takes you to Liwonde National Park and Mvuu Camp, positioned on the Shire River's banks. You spend two full days here with a choice of activities each morning and afternoon: guided game drives through riverine forests, floodplains and mopane woodlands tracking elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles and sable antelope; or boat safaris along the river where wildlife gathers at the water's edge. Between outings you return to camp for lunch and rest. Each day ends with a sundowner in the bush and dinner under the stars at the lodge.

On day five, you leave Liwonde for Cape Maclear on Lake Malawi's shores, checking into Thumbi View Lodge. The afternoon is yours to relax or choose optional activities like snorkelling, kayaking or a sunset boat cruise. Cape Maclear sits inside Lake Malawi National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for clear water and colourful cichlid fish. Your final morning brings a scenic drive back to Kamuzu International Airport with a Baseline Travel team member, ending the tour at the airport.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout the tour with a dedicated guide and chauffeur.
• airport pickup and return transfer to Kamuzu International Airport.
• all accommodations at Latitude 13° Hotel, Mvuu Camp Lodge and Thumbi View Lodge.
• all meals including a welcome dinner and private wine tasting.
• guided game drives and boat safaris at Liwonde National Park.
• a private city tour of Lilongwe with visits to the Wildlife Centre and Nature Sanctuary.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Child (5 to 17 years): free · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

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

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Baseline Travel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving at Lilongwe International Airport and want everything arranged from the moment you land. The private guide meets you there, and all transport between sites is included, so you travel without needing a rental car or navigating on your own.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 17 years): free; Infant (under 5): free.

What wildlife will I see on the game drives at Liwonde National Park?

Liwonde's guided game drives target elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, sable antelope and prolific birdlife across riverine forests, floodplains and mopane woodlands. The boat safaris along the Shire River offer close-up sightings of wildlife gathering at the water's edge, particularly hippos and crocodiles.

How does the tour get me from the airport to the first hotel?

Your private guide and chauffeur from Baseline Travel Limited meet you at Lilongwe International Airport and drive you directly to Latitude 13° Hotel in Area 43, where you check in and have a spa session and welcome dinner the same day.

What is there to do at Cape Maclear on Lake Malawi?

Cape Maclear sits within Lake Malawi National Park and is known for crystal-clear water and colourful cichlid fish. You can relax at your lakeside lodge or choose optional activities such as snorkelling, kayaking or a sunset boat cruise before dinner overlooking the lake.

Are meals included throughout the 6 days?

Yes. The tour includes all accommodations and meals at each lodge and hotel, from the welcome dinner at Latitude 13° on arrival through the final breakfast before your airport transfer.

What kind of accommodations will I stay in?

You stay at Latitude 13° Hotel, a boutique property in Lilongwe's Area 43; Mvuu Camp Lodge on the Shire River at Liwonde National Park; and Thumbi View Lodge on the shores of Lake Malawi at Cape Maclear.