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10-Day Malawi Family Road Trip

Offered by: USD Safari Tours

4.9/5 (1600 Reviews)

Journey Snapshot

🗺 Malawi ⏱ 10 days 🚙 4x4 Pop-up Roof

Blantyre Lake Malawi Liwonde National Park Zomba Plateau Nyika National Park

Overview Day by Day Rates Inclusions Getting There Offered By

Discover the warm heart of Africa on a family-friendly road trip. Watch kids' eyes light up on a safari drive in Liwonde National Park, spotting elephants and hippos. Spend days swimming, snorkeling, and building sandcastles on the golden shores of Lake Malawi. Sail on a wooden dhawa boat at sunset and meet colourful cichlid fish. Visit a local village to experience vibrant culture, then journey through the cool, misty tea plantations of the Highlands.

Route

Start	Blantyre (Day 1)
Day 2	Lake Malawi
Day 3	Liwonde National Park
Day 4	Zomba Plateau
End	Nyika National Park

Tour Features

Day 1-3:Arrival in Mala Day 4-5:Journey to the Wild Day 6-7:From River Plains to a Forest Sanctuary Day 8-9:Ascend to an African Skyland Day 10:Farewell to the Highlands

Activities & Transportation

Route: Blantyre, Lake Malawi, Liwonde National Park, Zomba Plateau, Nyika National Park
Duration: 10 days
Getting around: 4x4 safari vehicle (pop-up roof)
Transfers: airport pick-up & drop-off can be included

Accommodation & Meals

Day

Accommodation

Meals

1

The Makokola Retreat Luxury resort located at Lake Malawi

All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

2

The Makokola Retreat Luxury resort located at Lake Malawi

All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

3

The Makokola Retreat Luxury resort located at Lake Malawi

All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

4

Kutchire Lodge Mid-range lodge located inside Liwonde NP

All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

5

Kutchire Lodge Mid-range lodge located inside Liwonde NP

All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

6

Zomba Forest Lodge Mid-range lodge located inside Zomba Plateau

All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

7

Zomba Forest Lodge Mid-range lodge located inside Zomba Plateau

All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

8

Chelinda Camp Luxury lodge located inside Nyika NP

All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

9

Chelinda Camp Luxury lodge located inside Nyika NP

All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

10

No accommodation

Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks

Day by Day

Day 1 Arrival in Mala

⏱Morning 🏨The Makokola Retreat Luxury resort located at Lake Malawi 🍽All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Touch down in Malawi, where you'll be warmly greeted by your Baseline Travel guide - the friendly face who will ensure your family adventure starts smoothly. Settle into your private vehicle for a scenic transfer south to the stunning shores of Lake Malawi. Your home for the next three nights is the beautiful Cape Maclear Makokola Retreat. Unpack, breathe in the fresh lake air, and feel your holiday pace instantly slow down.

Day 2 Arrival in Mala

⏱Morning 🏨The Makokola Retreat Luxury resort located at Lake Malawi 🍽All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

On your second day, after a leisurely breakfast, embrace the simplicity of lake life. Let the kids lead the way - the crystal-clear, calm waters are perfect for safe swimming and splashing. Build sandcastles on the golden beach, relax with a book under a whispering palm tree, or take a refreshing dip in the pool.

Day 3 Arrival in Mala

⏱Morning 🏨The Makokola Retreat Luxury resort located at Lake Malawi 🍽All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

By the third day, adventure calls! Climb aboard a traditional wooden boat for a family sailing trip. Glide across the bay, keeping an eye out for majestic fish eagles - your guide will tempt them with a call for a spectacular, close-up view.

Day 4 Journey to the Wild

⏱Morning 🏨Kutchire Lodge Mid-range lodge located inside Liwonde NP 🍽All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

After a final lakeside breakfast, we bid a fond farewell to the tranquil waters of Cape Maclear. Your Baseline Travel guide will meet you for the scenic journey inland, a road trip that transforms the landscape from sandy shores to the anticipation of the African bush. Arrive at the iconic Kutchire Lodge, your gateway to Liwonde National Park.

Day 5 Journey to the Wild

⏱Morning 🏨Kutchire Lodge Mid-range lodge located inside Liwonde NP 🍽All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

During day five, awake to the call of the wild! An early morning game drive reveals Liwonde's treasures as the sun rises: impalas grazing, majestic elephants roaming the plains, and with luck, a sighting of the rare black rhino. Return to the lodge for a hearty brunch and some downtime. As the afternoon heat softens, embark on a unique boat safari along the Shire River. Glide past basking hippos and enormous crocodiles, getting an unparalleled, water-level perspective of park life.

Day 6 From River Plains to a Forest Sanctuary

⏱Morning 🏨Zomba Forest Lodge Mid-range lodge located inside Zomba Plateau 🍽All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Enjoy one last spectacular sunrise over the Shire River before departing after breakfast. We trade the flat plains of Liwonde for a scenic drive into the highlands, winding our way up to the cool, lush expanse of the Zomba Plateau.

Day 7 From River Plains to a Forest Sanctuary

⏱Morning 🏨Zomba Forest Lodge Mid-range lodge located inside Zomba Plateau 🍽All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

On day seven, the day is yours to explore this beautiful "island in the sky". For the adventurous family, a guided walk leads you to the stunning Williams Waterfall, where you can feel the mist on your face. Explore the network of peaceful trails, perhaps on foot or on a fun family horse-riding trek. Be sure to visit Emperor Viewpoint for a breathtaking panorama over the Shire Valley below - a vista that stretches all the way to Lake Malawi on a clear day, beautifully connecting the dots of your Malawian journey.

Day 8 Ascend to an African Skyland

⏱Morning 🏨Chelinda Camp Luxury lodge located inside Nyika NP 🍽All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

An early start rewards us with an epic journey north. We'll traverse changing landscapes, with scenic stops along the way, ascending to the vast, rolling highlands of Nyika National Park. We'll settle into the unique Chilinda Lodge in the afternoon, ready to explore this breathtaking wilderness.

Day 9 Ascend to an African Skyland

⏱Morning 🏨Chelinda Camp Luxury lodge located inside Nyika NP 🍽All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

For day nine, we embark on a Highlands adventure and immerse ourselves in the unique beauty of Nyika. Spend the day exploring its vast plains. Options include a thrilling 4x4 game drive to spot zebra and roan antelope, a guided walk through wildflower-dotted grasslands, or a mountain bike adventure. The serene, otherworldly landscape is like nowhere else in Africa.

Day 10 Farewell to the Highlands

⏱Morning 🏨No accommodation 🍽Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Non-alcoholic drinks

After a final breakfast in the crisp mountain air, we begin our scenic return journey to Blantyre, filled with unforgettable memories of Malawi's diverse wonders.