Day 1 On arrival at Blantyre International Airport a guide will meet you. The drive to Mkulumadzi Camp is 1 hour through colorful local scenes of villages and people waving as you drive by. Mkulumadzi Camp has a wide view of the Shire River and is located within Majete Wildlife Reserve, 70km South West of Blantyre, in Southern Malawi. The lodge is situated in the North of Majete Wildlife Reserve, at the confluence of the Mkulumadzi and Shire rivers within a 7,000ha private concession. Majete is one of Malawi’s largest protected areas and covers an area of over 70,000ha. The reserve is located within the Miombo woodland ecoregion and much of the higher lying areas in the west of the park are dominated by Miombo/Brachystegia woodland. Mixed Combretum woodlands and mosaics of riparian forest can be found in the East of Majete. Depending on your arrival time in the day you will enjoy a lunch looking out over the Shire River or if in the afternoon for tea and the afternoon and night game drive.

Day 2-3 The luxurious lodge in a stunning location and activities include game-drives, boating safaris, bush walks, hiking Majete Hill, black rhino tracking, cultural tours, birding trips on the Shire River and to nearby Elephant Marsh and game-viewing from a hide. Guests are free to be as energetic or idle as they please although at least one activity per day is encouraged to best enjoy Majete. Mkulumadzi Camp.

Day 4 After breakfast and farewells, you will be transferred to Mvuu Lodge by road transfer in 2,5 hours journey. Liwonde National Park is considered to be the finest park in the whole of Malawi for game and accommodation. It is also said to be one of the top birding locations in Southern Africa. The park well deserves these accolades as it offers some of the most scenic game viewing, beautiful riverine surroundings and varied bird watching you could wish to find. A great deal of the terrain is Shire River floodplains, much loved by the healthy population of Elephants in this park. They are best viewed during your boat safari on the Shire River, one of the many highlights of a stay at Mvuu Lodge. Mvuu Lodge

Day 5- 6 Mvuu Wilderness Lodge offers comfortable tented accommodation in spacious ‘Hemingway’-styled safari tents, with own en suite facilities for a maximum of 10 guests. Each tent has its own private viewing platform and is discreetly hidden between the thick undergrowth bordering the lagoon.

The lodge has a swimming pool, sun deck and al fresco dining platform overlooking the river and lagoon. Your stay on is on a full board basis, including game drives for both day and night in open vehicles, walks and boat safaris, a unique activity at Mvuu. We explore the Shire River and lagoons – an excellent opportunity for sightings of elephants, hippo, crocodile and bird life. Birding is rewarding – specialities include Lillian’s lovebird, brown breasted barbet, osprey, palmnut vulture, Pel’s fishing owl and Livingstone’s flycatcher. Also available is a viewing hide on a tributary of the Shire River and also some interesting visits by bicycle to the local school and surrounding rural communities. Mvuu Lodge

Day 7 Transfer to Pumulani after breakfast, either driving the entire way, or if necessary (if the roads are wet), then boating to Liwonde to pick up the vehicle. The direct drive is around 2.5 hours (around 100km), first skirting the shores of Lake Malombe where most of the year we are able to visit the fish drying racks which dot the villages along the lakes edge. Further north there is the option of stopping at the old colonial naval port of Mangochi to visit the rundown yet eccentric little museum. Then you will reach the Nankumba Peninsula of Lake Malawi. This is recognised as one of the most beautiful shores of the Lake and borders Lake Malawi National Park. This Park was established in order to protect the cichlid fish unique to the area. In 1984 the park was designated a World Heritage Site.

Pumulani is exclusively situated on the westside of the Nankumba Peninsula, surrounded by national park. The ten villas are scattered around the hillside and are individual in shape and style but all have a spacious bedroom, bathroom and wide sitting area. The front sliding doors open onto the deck – elevated above the ground giving optimal views. 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 watersports activities like snorkelling, fishing, sailing, kayaking, waterskiing, 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. Pumulani

Day 8 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. You can also simply relax in the beautiful and tranquil scenery or can enjoy the many other activities. Pumulani

Day 9 & 10 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 colourful 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. Pumulani

Day 11 On the final day of your stay with Pumulani you bid farewell to the lodge. You will be transferred back to Monkey Bay where you will take a light aircraft to Lilongwe time for the connecting onto flight.

Email Nick at info@almostfamousadventures.com