Day 1:

Your South Luangwa Safari starts mid-morning when you’re pick up at Chipata and transferred to our beautiful campsite located within the surrounds of Wildlife Camp. Game viewing begins an hour before reaching camp as we drive through the heart of Lupande Game Management Area. There will be a quick briefing, you get situated and have a lunch before going on the first game drive. You leave camp at 16:00, allowing for both an afternoon and night drive together. The early departure gives a head start on the other lodges and means you can enjoy sundowners at one of the beautiful oxbow lagoons in an area few other vehicles access during safaris. Driving through the park after dark offers excellent chances of seeing leopard, lion, honey badgers and the other nocturnal surprises this amazing park reveals. You’ll arrive back at camp between 20:00 and 20:30 for a delicious home cooked dinner.
Day 2
It’s an early wake up call for the game drive. Enjoy a light breakfast, served with coffee or tea before setting off on safari. During the drive you’ll see elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo and zebra. You return to camp at around 11:00 in time for a welcome brunch. The early afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure; you may rest, swim, have a drink at the bar or exchange photographs with one and other at Wildlife Camp. We’ll serve lunch early afternoon and then leave camp on foot with our walking guide and armed escort scout, heading for the beautiful bush camp set on the edge of the Luangwa River. While walking the guide will explain the art of tracking and about the varied fauna and flora of the valley and keeping a look out for big game that frequent the area. You arrive at the bush camp in time for sundowners followed by a delicious dinner cooked over an open fire. The evening is spent around the campfire, telling stories and stargazing, before being lulled to sleep by the sounds of the African bush.

Day 3

After breakfast at bush camp, the second walking safari begins, this time back to main camp. En route you will learn more about the local significance of the unique Luangwa flora, including how it’s used for spiritual and medicinal. Following lunch you visit the Chipembele Education Center (Chipembele means rhino in the local Nyanja language). The center is located at the Lupande Game Management Area and is run by Steve and Anna Tolan, a British couple dedicated to the education of local communities about the importance of Wildlife Conservation. The Tolans have received international acclaim and you will spend a fascinating couple of hours touring the center, possibly even getting to know one or more of the orphan animals they often take in and raise to be returned to the wild. Sundowners are enjoyed in a beautiful spot overlooking the Luangwa River, before another night drive back to camp and a tasty dinner at 20:00.
Day 4
The fourth day is the highlight of the safari, we take you deep into South Luangwa National Park, venturing further than most visitors ever get. After an early start and a light breakfast you set off on the all-day adventure towards the north section of the park. Following a welcome breakfast break in the vicinity of the Tena Crossing, you continue your game drive north, and lunch time finds you at Fisheagle Lagoon which is home to several pods of (very vocal) hippo. The heat of midday is spent relaxing in the shade of a grove of Sausage trees, perhaps catching 40 winks in the process. In the afternoon the journey continues through the ebony groves and lagoons of the northern section of the park. This is wild area and always carries the anticipation of sighting rare game such as wild dog or eland en route to the sundowner spot. After the sunset the night drive begins with opportunities to spot shy nocturnal animals such as genets, civets, bushbabies and maybe even the diminutive Sharpe’s Ghrysbok. The all day adventure ends back at camp in time for a welcome BBQ dinner, drinks and a warming campfire. This is a long but hugely rewarding day.

Day 5

Your last day in the South Luangwa – After breakfast you will transfer to Pumulani lodge in Malawi. The transfers will by road back to Mfuwe Airport, onto a 45 minute flight to Lilongwe.  You will be met by our team and assisted through immigration and then your onward flight to Pumulani, another 45 minute hop to Monkey Bay airstrip. On the other end, the Pumulani Lodge will have a warm welcome for you, taking a 20 minute transfer to the lodge. The central dinning and bar area is high above the lake with the most spectacular views and leads onto an expansive deck. The infinity swimming pool is on a lower terraced deck. The lake shore bar offers light snacks as well as refreshments.  Meals will be served in the dining area, on the beach or by arrangement on your private deck.

Day 6

Enjoy the first full day of relaxation at Pumulani Lodge. Our remote beach setting is ideal for those who simply want to soak up the sun and swim in the clear blue waters of the lake. Those who prefer to take a dive in the swimming pool, we have a infinity swimming pool near the central dining area with grand views over the lake. For those seeking activity we offer many water sports activities like snorkeling, fishing, sailing, kayaking, water skiing, wake boarding and fun tube rides (all motorized activities are excluded). At the end of the day climb aboard our dhow and let our experienced local crewmen take you sailing into the sunset.

Day 7

Today you might want to go on a special picnic tour to one of the islands (not included in the rate). Our boat takes you along the shores of Lake Malawi National park – since 1984 a World Heritage site. On the way you will see many fish eagles and other interesting birds. The water is so clear that you will observe marine life from aboard the boat.

Day 8

Lake Malawi is the world’s most ecologically diverse lake. Its crystal clear waters are home to more than a thousand species of fish, including hundreds of species of colorful cichlids. We offer special diving courses at the best diving spots near one of the islands. For those who are interested in the real Malawian village life we offer guided walks through one of the local villages. Malawians are renowned for being amongst the most friendly people in Africa and during your stay you will have the opportunity to meet them. You can also simply relax in the beautiful and tranquil scenery or can enjoy the many other activities.

Day 9: On the final day of your Africa vacation package you bid farewell to the lodge. You will be transferred back to Lilongwe for the connecting flight back home.

Email Nick at info@almostfamousadventures.com