Malawi - 8-day Budget Highlights of Malawi - Private accommodated

Home / All Tours / Malawi – 8-day Budget Highlights of Malawi – Tailored driven

Malawi – 8-day Budget Highlights of Malawi – Tailored driven

8 days / 7 nights
Thyolo • Liwonde National Park • Mumbo Island

Country

Malawi

Duration

8 days

Highlights

Thyolo

Liwonde National Park

Mumbo Island

Rated 4.9/5

See reviews

Malawi – 8-day Budget Highlights of Malawi – Tailored driven

From $3,840
Mvuu Camp
Liwonde National Park
Huntingdon House
Mumbo Island
Liwonde National Park
Mvuu Camp

Includes

Private 4x4 safari vehicle and fuel
English-speaking driver guide
Boat transfers
7 nights' accommodation on meal basis as mentioned
Laundry facilities at Huntingdon House
All activities mentioned
Park fees

Excludes

Flights
Meals and drinks not mentioned
Optional activities
Entry visa
Gratuities - we recommend US$ 10 per person/day per guide and for lodge staff
Travel insurance
Increase in government tax and park fees

Itinerary

Thyolo, Malawi

Located between Blantyre and Mount Mulanje in what is arguably the most beautiful region of Malawi, the town of Thyolo serves as the administrative capital of the Thyolo District. The area is best known for its historical tea and coffee estates, some of which date back as far as the early 1900s. With its tidy landscape of undulating hills and immaculately kept tea and coffee estates, the Thyolo area is a pleasure to explore whether by bike, vehicle, or on foot. Magnificent views of Mount Mulanje and the Shire River Valley in the distance are a highlight of the region, as are the excellent opportunities for birding, hiking, and mountain biking. Some of the estates also offer guided tours where one can explore the farm, learn how the plantations work, and enjoy tea or coffee tastings.
Thyolo
Thyolo
Thyolo
Thyolo
Thyolo
Thyolo
  • Huntingdon House

    Day 1 - 3

    Nestled amidst lush greenery on the Satemwa Tea Estate, Huntingdon House offers accommodation located in Thyolo, Malawi. The hotel features five luxury, individually decorated suites with private bathrooms. A bungalow is available as well. Guests can conveniently enjoy meals and afternoon tea on-site. Activities include tea tasting, mountain biking, coffee tours, hiking and birding.
    Huntingdon House
    Huntingdon House
    Huntingdon House

Day 1

Day Notes:

Arrive at Chileka International Airport and transfer through the scenic Shire Highlands to Huntingdon House, an elegant manor set among rolling tea estates. After check-in you will join your shared afternoon activity.

 

  • Meet & Greet

  • Transfer from Chileka International Airport [BLZ] to Huntingdon House

  • Check-in to Huntingdon House

  • Shared afternoon activity (time permitting)

Day 2

Day Notes:

Included activities from Huntingdon House:

  • Tea tasting & factory tour
  • Tea & coffee walk
  • Mountain biking
  • Bird walk

  • Shared morning and afternoon activities

Liwonde National Park, Malawi

Liwonde National Park is situated at the southern tip of Lake Malombe in southern Malawi. Although Liwonde is a smaller park, it is arguably the most popular of all the game parks in the country. Malawi’s main river, the Shire, forms its western boundary and is the reserve’s lifeblood. Boasting plenty of animals including hippos, kudu, elephants, crocodiles and elephants, and even black rhino, the park has become one of Malawi's premier wildlife-viewing destinations. The birding opportunities here are excellent and a favourite sighting among birdwatchers is the Pel’s fishing owl. Visitors can look forward to a wide selection of activities including canoeing, sublime boating safaris, and excellently positioned camping spots. The area is also incredibly photogenic, with its lush Borassus palms, Impala lilies, and abundant wildflowers blooming after the rains.
Liwonde National Park
Liwonde National Park
Liwonde National Park
Liwonde National Park
Liwonde National Park
Liwonde National Park
+5
  • Mvuu Camp

    Day 3 - 6

    Mvuu Camp has a spectacular vantage point along the Shire River that draws all manner of fauna to its banks. The camp, comprising 14 units as well as a nearby campsite, is a clever mix of spacious stone and canvas chalets and specially designed family tents. An impressive thatched dining and lounge area offers a magnificent river vista that is framed by two large baobab trees. Dinners are sometimes held under the stars in a specially constructed boma. A custom-built education and conference centre with facilities for up to 40 delegates or smaller corporate and team building functions is available.
    Mvuu Camp
    Mvuu Camp
    Mvuu Camp
    Mvuu Camp
    Mvuu Camp
    Mvuu Camp
    +13

Day 3

Day Notes:

Before leaving Huntingdon House you will enjoy your last shared morning activity, time permitting before you start your journey from the cool highlands to the warmer Shire Valley, arriving at Mvuu Camp on the banks of the Shire River in Liwonde National Park. After check-in at Mvuu Camp you will join your shared afternoon activity.

 

  • Shared morning activity (time permitting)

  • Check-out from Huntingdon House

  • Transfer from Huntingdon House to Mvuu Camp

  • Check-in to Mvuu Camp

  • Shared afternoon activity (time permitting)

Day 4 - 5

Day Notes:

Included activities from Mvuu Camp:

  • One game drive per day
  • One boat safari per day

  • Shared morning and afternoon activities

Mumbo Island, Malawi

Mumbo Island is an ecotourist’s dream. Measuring just one square kilometre across, this remote islet is virtually uninhabited and covered with pristine miombo forests interspersed with ancient fig and baobab trees. It is surrounded by the calm, crystal clear waters of Lake Malawi, where you can swim and snorkel amidst schools of vividly coloured tropical fish. You may also encounter the island’s sole mammal inhabitant - playful and curious Spotted-necked Otters. The only resort on the island is built from sustainable natural materials that blend beautifully into the pristine surrounds.
Mumbo Island
Mumbo Island
Mumbo Island
Mumbo Island
Mumbo Island
Mumbo Island
  • Mumbo Island Camp

    Day 6 - 8

    Mumbo is a pristine island in Lake Malawi National Park which, with its crystal clear waters and innumerable species of cichlid fish, offers some of the best freshwater scuba diving in the world and the best snorkelling on the Lake.
    Mumbo Island Camp
    Mumbo Island Camp
    Mumbo Island Camp
    Mumbo Island Camp
    Mumbo Island Camp
    Mumbo Island Camp
    +13

Day 6

Day Notes:

Before leaving Mvuu Camp, you will join your last shared morning activity before travelling by road to Lake Malawi, then continue by boat to Mumbo Island Camp, a secluded island retreat in a pristine national park. The rest of the day is at your own leisure. 

  

  • Shared morning activity (time permitting)

  • Check-out from Mvuu Camp

  • Transfer from Mvuu Camp to Mumbo Island Camp

  • Check-in to Mumbo Island Camp

Day 7

Day Notes:

Set out on a guided kayak excursion, paddling along the island’s shoreline and enjoying the clear waters, birdlife, and peaceful surroundings. Take the rest of the day to enjoy the beautiful scenery or try your hand at snorkelling.

  • Guided kayak excursion

Day 8

  • Check-out from Mumbo Island Camp

  • Transfer from Mumbo Island Camp to Lilongwe International Airport [LLW]

End of Itinerary

Destinations

Thyolo
Malawi
Day 1-2

Thyolo

Located between Blantyre and Mount Mulanje in what is arguably the most beautiful region of Malawi, the town of Thyolo serves as the administrative capital of the Thyolo District.
Liwonde National Park
Malawi
Day 3-4

Liwonde National Park

Liwonde National Park is situated at the southern tip of Lake Malombe in southern Malawi.
Mumbo Island
Malawi
Day 6-7

Mumbo Island

Mumbo Island is an ecotourist’s dream.

Accommodations

Huntingdon House
Thyolo
Day 1-3

Huntingdon House

Nestled amidst lush greenery on the Satemwa Tea Estate, Huntingdon House offers accommodation located in Thyolo, Malawi.
Mvuu Camp
Liwonde National Park
Day 3-6

Mvuu Camp

Mvuu Camp has a spectacular vantage point along the Shire River that draws all manner of fauna to its banks.
Mumbo Island Camp
Mumbo Island
Day 6-8

Mumbo Island Camp

Mumbo is a pristine island in Lake Malawi National Park which, with its crystal clear waters and innumerable species of cichlid fish, offers some of the best freshwater scuba diving in the world and the best snorkelling on the Lake..

1 January - 31 December 2026

  • Per person sharing: USD 3,840
  • Single traveller: USD 4,210

 

Malawi – 3-day Majete Safari at Thawale Lodge

Great experience. Everything went exactly as planned. Amazing service and a competitive price.
This is a special place. Amazing helpful staff, stunning location, great food.

Rob Butchart
Amazing Experience! Thank you!