This five-day adventure combines the wildlife of Liwonde National Park with the peaceful beauty of Lake Malawi, offering an affordable way to experience Malawi's wilderness and island life.

Your journey begins in Blantyre, where you will meet your guide at 9:00 AM for the approximately three-hour drive to Liwonde National Park. You will spend two nights at Kutchire Bush Camp on a full-board basis. On arrival, settle into camp, relax and enjoy the surrounding wilderness without any scheduled safari activities. The following day, experience an early-morning game drive and an afternoon boat safari along the Shire River.

On Day 3, enjoy a leisurely morning at camp before checking out and travelling towards Cape Maclear. The drive takes approximately 3–4 hours, with a stop in Mangochi to purchase groceries for your island stay.

You will then continue to Kayak Africa Base Camp, where you will receive a short briefing before boarding a wooden boat for the approximately 30-minute crossing to Domwe Island.

Spend two nights on Domwe Island, enjoying a more independent island experience. You will purchase the groceries needed for your stay in Mangochi, and the island chef will prepare your meals using the supplies you provide. Kayaks and snorkeling equipment allow you to explore the surrounding waters and discover the colorful underwater world of Lake Malawi.

On Day 5, enjoy your final morning on the island before returning by boat to the mainland. From Cape Maclear, travel approximately five hours by road to Blantyre, with a packed lunch for the journey. You will be dropped off at your preferred location, bringing your safari and island adventure to an end.

Please note: This itinerary has been costed for one person travelling solo. If you have friends or fellow travelers who would like to join you on the same dates, the cost per person could be reduced by sharing accommodation and transportation.

If this is a possibility, please let Kay know so she can recalculate the costs accordingly.

Your Budget Safari & Island Adventure begins at 9:00 AM, when you will meet your guide at an agreed location in Blantyre.

From here, travel north towards Liwonde National Park, a beautiful wildlife destination known for its diverse habitats, abundant birdlife and the Shire River, which runs through the park.

Your destination is Kutchire Bush Camp, where you will spend the next two nights immersed in the peaceful surroundings of the African wilderness.

On arrival, check into your accommodation, enjoy your meal and take time to settle into camp. There are no scheduled safari activities today, allowing you to relax after the journey, appreciate the natural surroundings and enjoy the slower pace of bush life.

Spend the evening enjoying dinner at camp, listening to the sounds of the wilderness and preparing for your first safari experience the following morning.

Accommodation: Kutchire Bush Camp
Meals: Full board
Activities: Road transfer from Blantyre to Liwonde National Park; leisure time at camp

Wake early for your first safari activity: a morning game drive through Liwonde National Park.

The early hours are an excellent time to explore the park as wildlife begins to stir and the bush comes alive. With your guide leading the way, look out for elephants, antelope and other wildlife that inhabit this remarkable ecosystem.

Return to camp for breakfast and enjoy some time to relax before lunch. Take in the peaceful wilderness surroundings and enjoy a break during the warmer part of the day.

In the afternoon, head out for a boat safari along the Shire River. From the water, you may have the opportunity to observe hippos, crocodiles, elephants gathering along the riverbanks and an impressive variety of birdlife.

As the afternoon light softens over the river, return to Kutchire Bush Camp for dinner and your final evening in the wilderness.

Accommodation: Kutchire Bush Camp
Meals: Full board
Activities: Early-morning game drive and afternoon boat safari on the Shire River

Enjoy a leisurely start to the morning at Kutchire Bush Camp. There are no scheduled safari activities today, giving you time to enjoy breakfast, relax and appreciate the tranquillity of the wilderness before departing.

After checking out, begin your journey towards Cape Maclear on the shores of Lake Malawi. The drive takes approximately 3–4 hours, with a stop in Mangochi along the way.

In Mangochi, you will purchase the groceries needed for your two-night stay on Domwe Island. As this is a self-catered island experience, you will choose and purchase the food and other supplies you would like for your stay. The island chef will then prepare your meals using the groceries you provide.

Continue to Kayak Africa Base Camp in Cape Maclear, where you will receive a short briefing before boarding a traditional wooden boat for the journey across Lake Malawi.

The crossing covers approximately 7 kilometers and takes around 30 minutes, bringing you to the beautiful, secluded shores of Domwe Island.

Arrive, settle into your island accommodation and enjoy your first evening surrounded by the lake's natural beauty. With the mainland behind you and the water stretching out around the island, this is your opportunity to slow down and embrace a simpler way of life.

Accommodation: Domwe Island
Meals: Breakfast at Kutchire Bush Camp; other meals arranged using groceries purchased in Mangochi
Activities: Leisurely morning at camp, road transfer to Cape Maclear, grocery stop in Mangochi and boat transfer to Domwe Island

Wake to the gentle sounds of Lake Malawi and enjoy a day at your own pace on Domwe Island.

After breakfast, decide how you would like to spend your day. You might choose to head out early for a refreshing swim, explore the shoreline by kayak or discover the underwater world with your snorkeling equipment.

Lake Malawi is famous for its remarkable diversity of colorful cichlid fish, and snorkeling offers an opportunity to observe these fascinating freshwater fish in their natural habitat. Back on land, take time to appreciate the island's natural surroundings, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere or simply relax beside the lake.

With kayaks and snorkeling equipment available during your stay, you can spend the day exploring the water and enjoying the freedom of island life.

Your meals will be prepared by the island chef using the groceries you purchased in Mangochi. You can therefore enjoy the convenience of having your meals prepared while keeping control over your food choices and grocery budget.

As evening approaches, find a peaceful spot to enjoy the sunset over Lake Malawi before settling in for your final night on the island.

Accommodation: Domwe Island
Meals: Prepared by the island chef using your purchased groceries
Activities: Kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, exploring and relaxing on the island

Enjoy your final morning on Domwe Island, making the most of your last few hours surrounded by the peaceful waters of Lake Malawi.

After breakfast, check out and board the boat for the approximately 30-minute journey back to Kayak Africa Base Camp on the mainland in Cape Maclear.

On arrival, meet your driver and begin your return journey to Blantyre. The road transfer takes approximately five hours, and a packed lunch will be provided for the journey.

Travel south through Malawi's changing landscapes, reflecting on your experiences in Liwonde National Park and the tranquillity of your island escape.

Arrive in Blantyre during the afternoon, where you will be dropped off at your preferred location.

Your five-day adventure comes to an end, leaving you with memories of wildlife encounters, a boat safari along the Shire River and the natural beauty of Lake Malawi.

Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch
Activities: Morning at leisure on Domwe Island, boat transfer to Cape Maclear and road transfer to Blantyre