Example trip

Discover southern Malawi with nature, culture and untouched beaches

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Highlights

Hiking, wildlife, water activities, relaxing, culture

Location

Malawi

Budget

from € 2.500,- p.p. excl. flight tickets

Adventure and relaxation in the south

The south of Malawi is the warm lively heart of the country, a place where nature culture and history flow together without effort. Here you move from green tea plantations to rolling hills and old colonial towns, with the mighty Mount Mulanje rising proudly above it all. This is the Malawi of colourful markets, fragrant tea fields and smiling faces.

On this trip you discover the south in all its variety. You hike through the cool highlands of Zomba, spend the night in charming Dedza and roll into the buzzing city of Blantyre where daily life never slows down. After that the southern shores of Lake Malawi call you in, a little paradise of sandy beaches, fishing boats and warm sunsets.

The south is more well known and a bit more touristy when it comes to safari and the lakeside towns, but travelling here is not about rushing. It is about experiencing. Tasting freshly caught fish, sharing stories with locals and feeling that deep calm that only this piece of authentic Africa can give you.

16 days in Malawi

Day 1

Arrival Lilongwe

After a long journey you have finally arrived in the Warm Heart of Africa. Today is all about taking it easy and settling in. Feel the African sun, listen to the sounds of the city and let the adventure start slowly. Still have some energy left? Wander into one of Lilongwe’s lively neighbourhoods, browse a local market or grab a seat on a terrace between the locals. Get ready for untouched nature, stunning beaches and unforgettable encounters.

Day 2 - 3

Liwonde National Park

On the banks of the Shire River lies Liwonde National Park, a place that lives and breathes with the water. During a boat safari you glide past hippos, crocodiles and elephants while colourful birds sweep overhead. On land you drive across green plains where buffaloes, antelopes and sometimes even lions or cheetahs appear. The calm, the river and the endless views make Liwonde one of the most beautiful and most relaxing safari spots in Malawi.

Day 4 - 6

Mulanje

The Mulanje mountains rise from the landscape like a stone cathedral, a mystical world of mist cliffs and forests. As you climb higher the view changes by the minute, from dense jungle to open grasslands sprinkled with waterfalls. During the day you hike through clouds and old stories about mountain spirits, and at night you warm up in a simple wooden hut high in the hills. Mulanje is adventure silence and a touch of magic all in one, a fairytale corner of Africa you will not forget anytime soon.

Day 7 - 8

Majete

Majete is Malawi’s great success story. Where wildlife was once almost gone the park now bursts with life. After years of reintroductions you can once again find elephants lions buffaloes rhinos and leopards here, the full Big Five. With only a handful of lodges and endless silence this is one of the most exclusive safari spots in the country. Safaris without crowds right in the heart of pure wilderness, that is Majete.

Day 9

Blantyre

Blantyre is the lively heart of southern Malawi and the oldest city in the country. Here colonial charm blends with modern hustle, with wide jacaranda-lined avenues, historic buildings and colourful markets full of scents and sounds. Dive straight into the typical hustle and bustle of city life. Wander through markets packed with fake Adidas sneakers and bargain your way to the best price. Call over the lads with plastic tubs for some delicious samosas and hop into one of the local transport minibuses for a chat about politics with your fellow passengers.

Day 10 - 11

Zomba

Zomba feels like a green lung full of life and calm. You do not walk through a fenced park here but through forests and villages where daily life carries on around you. As you slowly make your way uphill the local women whistle past you with baskets of firewood balanced on their heads. At the top of the plateau a panoramic view over the valleys and the town below awaits, once visited by Emperor Haile Selassie. Zomba is pure, untouched and exactly the kind of place that makes Malawi so special.

Day 12 - 14

Cape Maclear

Welcome to the buzzing south end of Lake Malawi. Cape Maclear and Monkey Bay are lively yet still authentic beach villages. This is where travellers and locals meet right on the shoreline. You will be floating in the water with a snorkel mask while they wash clothes or pull in their fishing nets.

During the day you kayak or snorkel among hundreds of tropical fish species, and in the afternoon you sink into a beach bar with a cold beer. The vibe is relaxed, the music soft and the sunset absolutely unreal. Nowhere in Malawi does the sky turn such a fierce shade of orange as it does here."

Day 15

Dedza

Dedza is a quiet and atmospheric stop between the south and the center of Malawi. It sits at a pleasant altitude which makes the air cool and refreshing, perfect for a relaxed overnight stay. You sleep here among the hills far away from noise and traffic, and you can enjoy warm local hospitality, a good dinner and a beautiful sunset. The ideal place to recharge before you continue your journey toward Lilongwe or Lake Malawi.

Day 16

Going home

Every adventure comes to an end, and so does this beautiful journey through Malawi. Fully recharged, you pack your bags and get ready for the flight home. With a healthy glow on your cheeks you sink into your airplane seat, close your eyes and drift off, replaying all the amazing moments you experienced. Full of inspiration and carrying a suitcase full of memories you open your front door again.

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What our travellers say about us

     
 
 
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   RJ 
 67 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wow!! What an amazing trip we took through Kenya with Charlie's Travels. Self-drive, highly recommended, and wonderfully taken care of from start to finish! Thank you so much ❤️🍀

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   Casper Berkhout 
 268 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We went to Uganda and Kenya for almost a month and we did not leave dissapointed! Our goal was to visit "off the beaten track" destinations and experience real local culture and Charlie's did not let us down. In Uganda we saw TONS of wildlife, with the bike safari in Lake Mburo being the undisputable highlight... unforgettable. We spent a day with the Batwa people, which was a unique culturally enriching experience. In Kenya we got to relax at the beach in a luxurious resort and get our tan on! All the tour guides that were organized by Charlie's were both knowledgable and wonderfully enthusiastic. This was the most memorable vaction in years, and we would reccomend booking a trip with Charlie's to anyone (if you are adventurous enough of course ;) ).
  
 
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   Wolfeew 
 285 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've been to Africa with Charlie's multiple times – Kenya, Uganda, and most recently to Angola: Friendliness and rawness personified, a delightful mix of pure Africa and Portuguese influences. Beautiful, untouched nature, tranquility, and fantastic people. From desert to jungle, from canyons to waves crashing against the rugged coast – what a country. It's wonderful to be taken under Charlie's wing!

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   Lisa Snepvangers 
 337 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We went to Kenya for a month with our family of 5, all arranged by Charie's Travels, and it was AMAZING. We wanted a mix of off-the-beaten-path and comfort, a mix of adventure and vacation, and they made it all happen. Everything from planning the trip and airport pick-up to hotel bookings and activity arrangements went smoothly. We really had the most amazing time! (so much so that I'm writing this review years after taking this trip, cause we're still talking about it!) Definitely recommend booking your trip with Charlie's Travels!
  
 
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   Saskia Looijen 
 344 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was a fantastic experience to go pioneering in Malawi with Charlie's Travels. Truly the warm heart of Africa, with very friendly and open people. Malawi is a country with so many different things to do. We explored the lesser-known north: hiking in Nyika National Park with stunning views over colorful hills, an exciting boat trip across Lake Malawi, and beach vibes and lots of beautiful birds on Likoma Island. There are also beautiful bays and hidden spots along Lake Malawi. The roads are getting better but offer challenges here and there, which is highly recommended for the more adventurous traveler. The setup and organization by Charlie's Travels were excellent, always flexible and tailored to everyone's wishes.

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   Olaf 
 375 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We booked our first trip to Africa with Charlies and can recommend them 100%. Our trip to Kenya was unique, especially our stay in the Mount Souswa area. Charlies was always available and made everything possible for us. Not only the customers but also the people who work for Charlies are treated with respect. Thank you, Charlies Travel, we'll be back!

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   Monic 
 520 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Not a holiday, but an adventure! I took a trip with my daughter from Nairobi to Mombasa; we planned the itinerary in consultation with Charlie's Travels. We saw the beautiful Kenyan nature, traveled through diverse landscapes, and visited various parks by car, boat, train, motorbike, and on foot. We saw the animals we wanted to see, met wonderful people, ate delicious food, and slept in great, very different locations. An unforgettable adventure! Our trip was also fantastic because we had Sammy as our driver and guide for over 15 days. It was a real pleasure to travel with him. Charlie's Travels, thank you; thanks to you, we had a beautiful, unforgettable trip.

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   Thomas Geißler 
 584 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We're currently spending the last few days of our dream vacation with Charlies Travels in Kenya. From the day we first contacted them until now, we haven't had a single problem. Everything has been organized and executed to our complete satisfaction. Most importantly for us, we didn't have just any run-of-the-mill beach holiday with a safari; instead, we got to know the country and its people, and we visited places where there was absolutely no mass tourism. We can therefore highly recommend Charlies Travels. Thank you so much for everything!!! 👍

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Travel Malawi

The full Malawi experience

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