5 Night Malawi – City/Safari/Island

After breakfast, you will be transferred from Mafumu Hotel to Nkhotakota Game Reserve a trip of approximately 3 hours. Nestled beneath the Chipata Mountain, a vast network of rivers weave their way through wooded hills, nourishing the dense miombo forests that make up Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve a habit of almost 500 elephants and 2,000 other animals, to the east of Central Malawi and near Lake Malawi, is one of the two large wildlife areas offering safaris in this region. Its vast 700 sq miles (1800 sq km) is of rugged terrain crossed by a number of rivers which tumble down the edge of the Rift Valley escarpment as they make their ways to the Lake.

Most of the reserve is miombo woodland with large patches of tall grasses and occasional areas of rainforest.  Birdlife is prolific with giant kingfishers and palm nut vultures among the 130 recorded species. This is a wonderful example of true, rugged, untouched wilderness. In the past the reserve proved difficult to access because of the lack of roads or drivable tracks. Although there were animals in Nkhotakota, the terrain and difficult access made them difficult to find.

There are opportunities to go walking and hiking in Nkhotakota. Visitors can also paddle canoes on a boat safari down the Bua River as it cuts through the dense bush, or have a go at fishing from the banks of this mighty river.

In 2019, the sanctuary was extended to cover 80,000 hectares with access to the the Bua river included within the boundary, offering frequent up close wildlife viewing for guests at both lodges.

On the banks of the beautiful Bua River located within the protected and beautiful Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, Central Malawi, Bua River Lodge offers an idyllic retreat. Choose en-suite tented accommodation situated either along the Bua River, in the miombo woodlands or on our private Elephant Island accessed by a stone bridge.

Enjoy exceptional service, walks into the reserve accompanied by our guides, delicious locally sourced meals or just relax in our Lodge and watch the ever-changing river. Whatever your preference come and savour this beautiful and unique location.

Enjoy your meals and afternoon tea in our spacious timber and thatch multi-level lodge, located right on the bank of the Bua River, with wonderful views downstream and across to the wilderness on the opposite bank. The food is sourced locally wherever possible, supporting the surrounding communities. Everything is made fresh on-site, including our bread, jams and biscuits.

Whether you want to fish, watch birds, walk in the wilderness or just chill on the deck by your tent, Bua River Lodge is the place to get away from it all and just relax.

After breakfast, you will be transferred from Nkhotakota Game Reserve to Blue Zebra Island Lodge in Salima. Tucked away on Nankoma Island, a part of the Marelli Island archipelago, is the Blue Zebra Island Lodge. Under the protection of the Lake Malawi National Park, these three Islands offer a unique opportunity to see rare species of Malawi’s colourful Cichlid fish that have earned this site its UNESCO World Heritage Site accreditation.

The Islands are also renowned for their dazzling array of bird life. Less than two hours from Lilongwe you will find yourself on an unspoilt island paradise, surrounded by nature and luxury.

You will depart at 09:00 after breakfast and be transfered back to Lilongwe