Who are you and what kind of trip did you take?
I am Eva Broeknellis, a 22 year old Wildlife Management student, and I joined the pioneer trip to Malawi. I travelled with a group of ten people, all strangers to me at first. In October 2025 we spent two weeks exploring the north of Malawi, an area most tourists never visit, which was exactly what made it so appealing to us and to Charlies Travels.
Why Malawi? Well, there was not much choosing involved. It was a pioneer trip and there happened to be a spot for me. I grabbed that chance with both hands because I want to explore as much of Africa as I can. Normally I would not book with a travel agency. I like doing my own thing and avoiding the typical tourist routes. But Charlies Travels is different, they go beyond what other companies offer. They connect with local communities and make sure it is a win win, an unforgettable trip for you and a real contribution or job opportunity for the locals.
The trip was a mix of wild camping and a few more comfortable stays. Personally I love the basic accommodations. With so little you can still be so happy, it makes you realise how small we all are in this big world. That is exactly the feeling I get when I am camping in the wild.
Which experiences really stood out to you during this trip?
For me, physical activities are super important, so the two day hike in Nyika National Park, the mountain biking at Luwawa Forest and the walking safari in Nkhotakota were absolute highlights. But also the small moments with the local people. Those little things are special because they create a real connection with nature and the community. You ask someone where the toilet is, start chatting, and before you know it you are sitting together shelling peas and laughing. It is those small and unexpected moments that make the experience so meaningful.
The landscape in Nyika National Park really surprised me too. Not just the endless green hills, but the fact that you can walk more than thirty kilometres without seeing a single sign of human life. That gave me goosebumps. And the driving! It gave me such a sense of freedom. The nature also gave me chills. The night sky, with so many stars, felt truly magical. Watching elephants feed while we quietly observed from a distance gave me such a deep sense of peace.
I laughed so much on the way to Likoma Island. The weather was not ideal and the waves were huge, so the boat kept slamming into the water which made for some very funny moments. And honestly, I never really got frustrated about anything. On the first day the bike rental arrived a few hours late, so we could not do the ride. But if you go into the trip with an open mind, things like that are not setbacks, they just lead to spontaneous adventures.
If I could relive one moment, it would be that euphoric feeling of reaching the campsite on the first day of the Nyika hike. During the last few kilometres, our guide kept saying, “It’s behind this hill, keep on going.” When we finally reached it together as a group, it felt so euphoric, like yes, we really pulled this off!
And now that you are back home, how do you look back on this trip?
Every journey to Africa feels like a journey home for me. The people, the nature, the smells and the colours, it all feels so familiar. Back in the Netherlands, I am always reminded of how privileged we are, as Dutch and Westerners, to have grown up in such comfort. We are not better or more important, just raised differently. No one chooses where they are born, and we should be grateful for what we have.
Malawi is a country where you truly get to know the culture and the people while surrounded by beautiful nature. You do not necessarily come for the wildlife, even though you will definitely see some, but more for the peace, the landscapes and the encounters. Travelling through Malawi happens in a relaxed way, without rush or pressure. It is a destination for those who love discovery, people and nature, far away from the big tourist spots.
