Malawi remains one of Southern Africa’s best-kept secrets, and that is precisely what makes it so magical. Far from the crowds of East Africa’s major game reserves, this small country nestled around the vast Lake Malawi offers a striking contrast: intimate safaris along the banks of the Shire River, followed by an island getaway on the turquoise waters of one of the continent’s most beautiful lakes.
With this 8-day, 7-night itinerary, we’ve designed a complete immersion in the bush and on the beach, focusing on just two charming destinations: a camp in the heart of Liwonde National Park, followed by an intimate retreat on Likoma Island, in the middle of Lake Malawi.
As always with Travel With la French, each itinerary can be tailored to your expectations and preferences.
Check out your Malawi Safari & Beach itinerary on our website, and the day-by-day details here.
Liwonde National Park: The Malawian Bush Along the Shire River
The adventure begins in Lilongwe, the capital, from where a charter flight takes just a few minutes to reach the airstrip at Liwonde. It is here, on the banks of the Shire River (pronounced “Shiree”), that the first leg of the journey begins: three nights in Liwonde National Park, one of the wildlife-richest reserves in all of Malawi.
The Shire River acts as a veritable magnet for wildlife. Elephants, hippos, Nile crocodiles, sable antelopes, and an exceptional variety of birds gather along its banks, offering particularly spectacular boat safaris. The park, once plagued by human-wildlife conflict, has undergone a remarkable revival thanks to the work of African Parks, which has reintroduced lions, cheetahs, and black rhinos, among other species.
For this leg of the trip, travelers stay at the Mvuu Camp, nestled between two massive baobab trees on the banks of the Shire River. The camp, consisting of 14 stone-and-canvas chalets, fosters a warm and welcoming atmosphere, designed for families and nature lovers alike. The open-air dining room, framed by century-old baobabs, sometimes hosts dinners under the stars in a boma specially built for the occasion.
Days here are filled with dawn walking safaris, leisurely boat rides on the Shire, and 4×4 excursions in search of large mammals. The camp also offers unique photography hides—one underground and the other perched in the trees—for observing wildlife up close without disturbing it. Birdwatchers won’t be disappointed either: Liwonde is home to more than 400 species of birds, including the extremely rare Pel’s fish-eater.
Heading to Likoma: A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Lake Malawi
After three days in the bush, we head to a completely different world: Likoma Island, a tiny Malawian exclave nestled in the middle of the lake, just a stone’s throw from Mozambican waters. Another charter flight, followed by a short transfer, is all it takes to reach this remote corner of the world, where the pace of life changes immediately.
Likoma is one of those places that few people have discovered yet: a handful of fishing villages, an imposing cathedral left behind by British missionaries, and golden-sand beaches lapped by the crystal-clear waters of southern Africa’s largest lake. Here, there are no crowds, no noise—just the lapping of the water and the shifting light on the lake.
The next four nights are spent in Pure Likoma, a property thoughtfully designed and handcrafted from recycled boat wood and local materials. Spread across two separate houses nestled on the beach, this intimate retreat embodies authentic ecotourism, deeply rooted in the life of the island community.
Once there, the itinerary is simple: swim in crystal-clear water, take a kayak out to explore a neighboring island for a picnic under a wild fig tree, or simply relax in a hammock. The bar at Pure Likoma offers one of the most beautiful views of the lake’s sunsets, which set the bay ablaze with flamboyant colors every evening. Non-motorized water activities, full board, and even local drinks are included throughout your stay.
An itinerary designed to help you experience Malawi in a different way
This itinerary brings together everything that makes Malawi so charming: the intensity and intimacy of the Liwonde safaris, followed by the absolute serenity of an unspoiled island in the middle of the lake. Two radically different atmospheres, yet both marked by the same authenticity that defines the country.
From cruising among elephants to walking safaris in the bush and lazy days on a secluded beach, this 8-day trip offers a rare glimpse into Malawi’s diversity, far from the major tourist circuits of East and Southern Africa.
And as always with Travel With la French, each itinerary can be fully customized to suit your preferences: a diving or snorkeling extension on Likoma, a combined trip with Zambia or neighboring Mozambique, or even the addition of cultural stops around the lake.
Because in Malawi, often called the “warm heart of Africa,” every trip is a new discovery.
