This 15 day walking safari in Zambia and Milawi is based around several camps and reserves to view the best game in the country. Connection between reserves is by light aircraft.
Day 1
On arrival at Lilongwe International Airport you will be met by the pilot of Nyika Air Services who will help you to your light aircraft for your 1 hour 30 minute flight from Lilongwe to the Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve.
You will stay at the eight bedded Kazuni Safari Camp overlooking Lake Kazuni. The camp is made entirely of reeds and thatch and each hut has ensuite facilities.
Day 2
Vwaza Marsh offers some of the best elephant viewing in Africa with large numbers regularly visiting the camp to feed on the acacia trees. From the camp you can go on gamedrives or on foot or do some “armchair game viewing” as the wildlife comes past the camp to the water to drink. Night drives offer good views of some of the small nocturnal creatures and the birdlife is prolific.
As well as watching the wildlife it is possible to arrange a visit to the nearby local villages and too experience some of the Malawian culture and tribal dances at the Chigwere Cultural Village.
Day 3
After an early morning safari followed by a hearty breakfast you will either take a short 20 minute charter flight to the Nyika National Park or take the scenic route by road (4 hours) enjoying the wonderful scenery en route as you ascend to the high plateau.
Your accommodation on the Nyika will be at the Chelinda Lodge which consists of eight beautifully appointed log cabins surrounding a central dining room/bar with a glorious panoramic view over the high Nyika Plateau. Every cabin is en suite with bath and shower and each room has its on fireplace.
Day 4
The Nyika National Park covers the high Nyika plateau at around 2200m in altitude. The rolling montane grasslands go on for as far as the eye can see interspersed with patches of evergreen forest. This is one of Africa’s scenically most beautiful parks and the hills are full of herds of eland, zebra and Africa’s highest concentration of roan antelope. There are many rare and unusual birds and the Nyika is renowned for its wildflowers including over 200 species of orchids.
From Chelinda Lodge you can explore the park by vehicle, on foot, horseback or mountain bike. There is fly-fishing available as well.
Day 5
Another day to explore the Nyika National Park and perhaps even go out with a picnic lunch to see some of the remoter areas of the park. The escarpment edges provide dramatic views to the west and the Mafinga Mountains or north eastwards over Lake Malawi to the Livingstone Mountains in Tanzania. There is excellent forest birding to be had on the western boundary of the park and this can be combined with a walk to the Chisanga Waterfalls.
Day 6
Today the quest to reach the source of the Luangwa really begins and after a very early breakfast you set off on the 4 hour drive from the Nyika to the base of the Mafinga mountains. This is another stunning drive as you first descend the western escarpment passing the Chisanga Falls en route and then continuing through miles and miles of miombo wooded hills. The Mafingas appear ahead in a sweeping arc and halfway along their base you reach the Chambo Mission station where the climb to the source of the Luangwa begins. Participants will be expected to carry day packs but the rest of the camping equipment will be carried by a team of porters.
A steep 800 metre climb (4-5 hours) brings you to the highest point of the mountains (7660 feet) with fabulous views in all directions. This is a dramatic mountain range with sheer rock faces rising out of the evergreen forests growing in the steep chasms. As sunset will be rapidly approaching a quick descent is made to a camping spot next to the Luangwa. Accommodation will be in small dome tents and cooking will be over an open fire.
Day 7
Climbing back up to the top of the mountain the summit ridge is followed to the source of the Luangwa – a small pool hidden by tree ferns and water berry trees. After the requisite photos descend into the Luangwa gorge and follow the river for a short way along its course. There will be lots of montane forest birds to be seen, as well as miombo woodland species, and hopefully troops of Moloney’s monkeys.
Day 8
We descend back to the vehicles and the drive back to the Nyika and a last night at Chelinda Lodge (with a hot bath!).
Day 9
Today you fly from Chelinda to the Mwaleshi airstrip in the North Luangwa National Park. Customs out of Malawi will be cleared in Mzuzu and into Zambia at Mfuwe. It is a three hour trip (including customs and immigration) from Chelinda to Mfuwe and then a short hop to Mwaleshi.
The Luangwa Valley is one of the most beautiful, untouched wildlife sanctuaries left in Africa. Within the wilderness area of the North Luangwa National Park Mwaleshi, a comfortable eight bed bush camp, blends into the scenic stretch of the Mwaleshi River, a clear perennial stream flowing into the Luangwa.
Day 10
The remoteness of Mwaleshi Camp, in an area legendary for its large population of lion and huge herds of buffalo, is enhanced by the lack of roads. All game viewing is on foot and with a knowledgeable guide you will track the wildlife and learn about the whole ecology of the area, including the birdlife, vegetation, insects and the different animal scat!
Day 11
Another day of really getting close to nature on morning and afternoon walking safaris with time during the heat of the day to rest under the shade of the trees in camp and watch the world go by.
Day 12
After an early morning walk followed by breakfast, a short flight takes you to Tafika Camp nestled in the shade of giant leadwood trees in the South Luangwa. John and Carol Coppinger own and run Tafika and the camp provides a lovely family atmosphere.
Gameviewing will be on foot or by vehicle as well as the option of a microlight flight!
Day 13
From Tafika you will take gamedrives and night drives into the park returning to camp for sumptuous meals. The South Luangwa National Park is one of Africa’s great parks teeming with wildlife and birdlife. The area around Tafika has many oxbow lagoons and lush river terraces that attract the wildlife and you will hopefully have close encounters with all the animals of Africa including the big cats. The Luangwa is renowned for its lion and leopard populations.
Day 14
Your last day in the African bush when you can choose to walk or drive or both!
Day 15
A short flight from Tafika to Mfuwe Airport for your charter back across the border to Lilong.
