Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Zambia – Malawi – Victoria Falls – South Luangwa – Lake Malawi
100% customisable for you
Rise and shine: your African adventure begins today. Make your way to the airport, check in for your flight to Zambia and enjoy being fast-tracked through UK security to the lounge. After a leisurely drink (or two), board your overnight flight to Livingstone, Zambia, via South Africa or Kenya, which will take between 15 and 20 hours in total.
After landing on Zambian soil in Livingstone this morning, you’ll be met by one of our friendly ground team and driven to your lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River. Keep your eyes peeled for animals as soon as you enter the park – this transfer is effectively the first of many epic game drives.
When you arrive, settle in and enjoy a cool drink as you take in the bush views under the setting sun. Dinner will be served under starry skies before a well-deserved early night.
You’ll then have a full day to experience the majestic Victoria Falls, just a short distance from home base. Head out to explore this epic 300ft waterfall, trekking through dramatic landscapes and snapping incredible shots from the iconic Victoria Falls bridge. You could even hop aboard a flight for a birds-eye view of the falls, taking in the sheer size and beauty of this natural phenomenon.
Today, you’re heading to South Luangwa National Park by light aircraft – an adventure in itself. When you touch down, you’ll be transferred into the park for three nights in a charming Out of Africa-style camp: think outdoor showers, terraces overlooking the savannah and dinners around the campfire, all accompanied by the sounds of animals moving around the bush.
Spend the rest of the day settling in, keeping your eyes peeled for some wonderful wildlife as it meanders through the park. You could even head out on your first game drive this evening, keeping your eyes peeled for the Big Five – lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo.
Over the next few days, you’ll have the opportunity to observe the park’s flora and fauna on walking safaris and game drives.
Walking safaris are best done in the early morning, before it gets too hot and when the animals are just rising. Along the way, your guide will teach you to identify the footprints of the resident wildlife and how to track them, as well as point out trees and plants that have provided locals with important medicinal treatments for hundreds of years (keep an eye out for Baobabs and Sausage trees in particular).
Game drives are all about spotting the Big Five (and the lesser-known Little Five). This camp is renowned for rare leopard sightings, so you’re in for a treat. In the morning, pass close by the water’s edge to catch hippos, elephants and buffalo splashing about and having a drink; in the evenings, nocturnal wildlife such as porcupines, civet cats and genets come out to play. It’s also a great time to see lions, leopards and hyenas hunting for prey.
With your eyes wide and camera roll full, it’s time to cross the border into Malawi. This morning, hop on a one-hour flight to Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe. From here, a light aircraft will take you another hour north to Likoma Island, a remote haven on the eastern shore of Lake Malawi.
It’ll be a full day of travelling, so by the time you arrive at your luxury lodge, you'll have just enough time to settle in and freshen up before a delicious dinner by the lakeside.
After a week of exhilarating safari, your final days will be spent enjoying the slower pace of life on Likoma Island. Surrounded by the calm waters of Lake Malawi and white sandy beaches fringed by baobab and mango trees, it's easy to slip into a pattern of long, lazy days. Soak up the sun, take a dip in the pool or, for some serious downtime, enjoy a treatment at the spa.
For those who prefer a little more activity, snorkelling, scuba diving and various water sports are on offer, including stand-up paddle boarding and kite surfing. Fancy staying on solid ground? Explore the island by mountain or quad bike, visit the lively harbour and its fish markets or watch a local football match.
If you happen to be staying on the weekend, we’d also recommend visiting the local cathedral to attend a Sunday service.
In the evenings, relax on comfy sofas in the thatched bar, sip sundowners and indulge in plenty of fresh seafood and flavourful local specialities at the beachside restaurant.
Today, it’s sadly time to bid farewell to island life and begin the journey home. Start by taking the one-hour flight back to Lilongwe, where you’ll board your overnight flight to the UK.
With a quick stopover, the journey will take around 20 hours, and you’ll arrive home the next morning, armed with a golden tan and a camera roll full of safari snaps.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
