This five-day journey combines the cultural heritage of Malawi's tea industry, the natural beauty of Mount Mulanje and the wildlife of Majete Wildlife Reserve, offering an affordable way to experience three very different destinations in southern Malawi.

To keep the overall package cost as low as possible, I've made a few practical choices when putting this itinerary together. Transfers between destinations will be arranged through our trusted local transfer partners rather than having a dedicated driver and guide accompany you throughout the trip. I've also selected shared dormitory accommodation at Africa Wild Truck Camp in Mulanje and prepared dome-tent camping at Game Capture Campsite in Majete. These options allow you to enjoy the same wonderful destinations and activities while keeping accommodation and transport costs down.

Your adventure begins with an 8:00 AM pickup at an agreed location in Blantyre. Travel to Satemwa Tea Estate in Thyolo for a 10:30 AM tea-tasting experience. Learn about the estate's history and tea production, and discover the distinctive flavours of different teas, including black, white, green, oolong and dark varieties.

After the tasting, spend some time exploring the estate and visiting the historic Huntingdon House. You'll have an opportunity to purchase some of Satemwa's teas before continuing your journey. Please bring a packed lunch with you from Blantyre, as you'll need to enjoy this during the journey to Africa Wild Truck Camp.

Located beneath the majestic Mount Mulanje, Africa Wild Truck Camp will be your home for the next two nights. Accommodation is in a shared dormitory with an en-suite shower, on a bed-and-breakfast basis. Breakfast is included, while other meals are at your own expense.

On Day 2, enjoy an early breakfast before heading out for a guided hike to Mbyia Pools. The walk takes approximately one hour from the forest reserve entrance, and you'll have time to enjoy the natural pools, take a refreshing swim and appreciate the beautiful mountain surroundings. A guide and packed lunch are included. Return to camp in the afternoon for your final evening beneath Mount Mulanje.

On Day 3, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before checking out and travelling south towards Majete Wildlife Reserve. Along the way, stop at a local supermarket to purchase groceries and supplies for your two-night camping stay. As Game Capture Campsite is self-catering, you'll need to buy the food and drinks you'd like to prepare during your time at Majete.

Continue to Game Capture Campsite, where your prepared dome tent will be ready for you, complete with a mattress and bedding. Once settled in, your Majete safari experience begins with an afternoon game drive. Majete park fees are included.

Day 4 is dedicated to exploring Majete, with a morning and afternoon game drive. Between activities, enjoy your campsite, relax and prepare your own meals.

On Day 5, enjoy a relaxed morning at the campsite before packing up and checking out. There is no scheduled safari activity on departure day. Our transfer partner will collect you and transport you back to Blantyre, where you'll be dropped off at an agreed location.

Transport Arrangements

To keep the package as affordable as possible, transfers are arranged through our trusted local transfer partners rather than having a dedicated Warm Heart Adventures driver or guide accompany you throughout the trip. Your transfers between destinations will be coordinated in advance, with our partners collecting and dropping you off according to the itinerary.

Transfers will be provided in a small saloon vehicle rather than a dedicated safari vehicle. This is another practical cost-saving measure that allows us to offer the itinerary at a more budget-friendly rate.

Important Pricing Note for Solo Travellers

The package price is based on one person travelling independently. Should you have friends or fellow travellers who would like to join you, the cost per person may be reduced by sharing accommodation and transport costs.

If you are considering travelling with others, please let Kay know so that she can review the arrangements and provide an updated quotation.

Tea Tasting, Historic Huntingdon House & Mountain Views

Your Budget Tea, Mountain & Safari Adventure begins at 8:00 AM, when your transfer partner will collect you from an agreed location in Blantyre.

Travel to Thyolo and the beautiful Satemwa Tea Estate, arriving in time for your scheduled 10:30 AM tea-tasting experience.

Established in 1923 by Maclean Kay, Satemwa is one of Malawi's historic tea and coffee estates. Still family-owned, the estate has developed a reputation for producing a wide range of teas, from traditional black teas to more specialised varieties. Its factory, built in 1937, reflects decades of tea-making knowledge and craftsmanship.

During your visit, discover how tea is grown and processed, and learn about the differences in flavor, aroma and character between the various varieties. Satemwa produces black, white, green, oolong and dark teas, as well as distinctive artisanal teas.

The tasting offers a wonderful opportunity to explore these different styles and discover your personal favorites.

After the tasting, spend some time at Huntingdon House, the historic family home at the heart of the estate. Explore the gardens and soak up the atmosphere of this beautiful property surrounded by rolling tea fields. You'll also have an opportunity to purchase some of Satemwa's teas to take home with you.

Please remember to bring a packed lunch from Blantyre. Lunch is not included, and you'll have an opportunity to enjoy your packed lunch during the journey to Mount Mulanje after your tea estate visit.

Mount Mulanje, one of Malawi's most impressive natural landmarks. Your destination is Africa Wild Truck Camp, situated beneath the majestic mountain.

On arrival, check in and settle into your shared dormitory accommodation. The dorm has an en-suite shower, and breakfast is included in your stay.

Enjoy the peaceful surroundings and take in the mountain views before relaxing for the evening.

Accommodation: Africa Wild Truck Camp – shared dormitory with en-suite shower
Meals: Packed lunch to be brought by guests; breakfast included at camp the following morning. Other meals are at your own expense.
Activities: Transfer from Blantyre, Satemwa tea tasting, time at Huntingdon House and transfer to Mount Mulanje.

A Day of Mountain Scenery, Forest Trails & Natural Pools

Begin the day with an early breakfast at Africa Wild Truck Camp before setting off for your guided hiking adventure on the slopes of Mount Mulanje.

Known for its dramatic granite peaks, forested slopes and beautiful mountain scenery, Mulanje offers a wonderful setting for walking and exploring the outdoors.

Your destination is Mbiya Pools, a series of natural pools nestled in the mountain landscape. From the forest reserve entrance, the walk takes approximately one hour, leading you through the surrounding natural environment to the pools.

Once you arrive, enjoy time to relax, take in the scenery and cool off with a refreshing swim in the natural pools. This is a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the quieter side of Malawi, surrounded by forest, fresh mountain air and the sounds of nature.

A packed lunch is included, allowing you to enjoy a meal during your day out before making your way back.

The excursion is expected to run from approximately 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, depending on the pace of the group and conditions on the trail.

Return to Africa Wild Truck Camp in the afternoon for some well-deserved relaxation and your final evening beneath Mount Mulanje.

Accommodation: Africa Wild Truck Camp – shared dormitory with en-suite shower
Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch included. Other meals are at your own expense.
Activities: Guided hike to Mbiya Pools, swimming and enjoying the mountain scenery.

From Mountain Landscapes to the African Wilderness

Enjoy a leisurely morning at Africa Wild Truck Camp, with breakfast and some time to appreciate your surroundings before checking out.

Today, your journey takes you south towards Majete Wildlife Reserve, one of Malawi's important wildlife conservation areas.

Along the way, you'll make a stop at a local supermarket to purchase groceries and supplies for your two-night stay at Game Capture Campsite. As your accommodation in Majete is self-catering, you'll need to purchase all the food and drinks you would like for the next two days. Think about what you'd enjoy preparing at the campsite and make sure you have everything you need before continuing into the reserve.

Your transfer partner will then take you to Game Capture Campsite, where you'll be staying in a prepared dome tent. The tents are set up for your arrival and include mattresses and bedding, so there's no need to bring your own camping equipment.

Once you've settled in, your Majete safari experience begins with an afternoon game drive. Explore the reserve and look out for some of the wildlife that calls this conservation area home.

Return to the campsite afterwards, where you can prepare your own dinner and enjoy an evening under the African night sky.

Accommodation: Game Capture Campsite – prepared dome tent with mattress and bedding
Meals: Self-catering. Guests purchase their own groceries and prepare their meals.
Activities: Transfer to Majete, supermarket stop for groceries and afternoon game drive. Majete park fees are included.

Discover Malawi's Wildlife

Wake early for your morning game drive in Majete Wildlife Reserve.

The early morning is a wonderful time to explore the reserve as wildlife becomes active in the cooler hours of the day. Venture into the bush in search of the animals that call Majete home.

Keep your eyes open for elephants, antelope, buffalo and other wildlife. Depending on the season, conditions and luck, you may also encounter some of the reserve's more elusive inhabitants.

Return to the campsite after your morning safari. Enjoy some time to relax, prepare breakfast and make the most of your surroundings before heading out again.

In the afternoon, set off for your second game drive, exploring more of the reserve as the day begins to cool. Every safari is different, and each outing offers new opportunities to observe wildlife and experience the beauty of the African bush.

Return to the campsite in the evening for your final night in Majete. Prepare your own dinner and enjoy one last evening surrounded by the wilderness.

Accommodation: Game Capture Campsite – prepared dome tent with mattress and bedding
Meals: Self-catering. Guests prepare their own meals using the groceries purchased on Day 3.
Activities: Morning and afternoon game drives. Majete park fees are included.

A Leisurely Morning Before Your Journey Home

Enjoy a relaxed morning at the campsite. There is no scheduled safari activity today, so you can take your time packing up, enjoying breakfast and preparing for your departure.

After checking out, your transfer partner will collect you and arrange your return journey to Blantyre.

You'll be dropped off at an agreed location, bringing your five-day Tea, Mountain & Safari Adventure to an end.

From discovering Malawi's tea-making heritage in Thyolo to hiking among the natural pools of Mount Mulanje and exploring the wildlife-rich landscapes of Majete, you've experienced three distinctive destinations and the natural beauty of southern Malawi.

Accommodation: Check-out from Game Capture Campsite
Meals: Self-catering
Activities: Check-out and road transfer to Blantyre. No safari activity scheduled on departure day.