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Malawi15 daysMax 12Solo-friendly

Malawi and Zambia Encompassed

From Malawi's tea estates, plateau hikes, and lakeside villages to Zambia's legendary South Luangwa game drives — one tour, two countries, unforgettable depth.

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About this journey

The story behind the route

This Malawi small group tour combines many of Malawi’s unique and attractive areas and the strong community involvement and interaction is a key aspect of the tour. Game viewing in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, one of Africa’s best National Parks is an added attraction. There are opportunities for walking and hiking for more active travellers, on this well- balanced tour, suitable for families and individuals alike.

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The journey

Malawi and Zambia Encompassed

Key moments

The moments that define this trip

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route
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  1. Satemwa Tea Estate Tour and Tea-Tasting

    Drive to the world-recognised Satemwa Tea Estate for a walking tour followed by a tea-tasting workshop, sampling white, black, gold, and flavoured teas. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at Huntingdon House before continuing onward.

  2. Likhubula Falls Hike on Mount Mulanje

    Head to Mount Mulanje for a hike to Likhubula Falls, a trek of around one hour each way on an undulating, partly shaded trail leading to natural pools. The trail offers a scenic and rewarding walk for active travellers.

  3. YODEP Community Visit, Zomba

    Visit YODEP, a community-based organisation founded in 1998 to support orphaned children, youth, elderly people and those affected by HIV/AIDS. Take a guided walk through the village to learn about their community work.

  4. Zomba Plateau Guided Hike

    Take a guided hike on Zomba Plateau with options ranging from short two-hour walks to full-day trails, tailored by your guide to weather and fitness. Breakfast is enjoyed on the terrace at Kuchawe with views over the plateau, watching out for baboons.

  5. Liwonde National Park Game Drives and Shire River Boat Safari

    Explore Liwonde National Park by evening game drive and morning boat safari along the Shire River, observing hippos, elephants, waterbirds and other wildlife along the riverbanks. Wildlife regularly seen includes black rhino, sable, cheetah, buffalo, lion, kudu, impala, waterbuck and elephants.

  6. CISER Community Visit, Lake Malawi

    Visit CISER, a community-based organisation dedicated to improving rural livelihoods, including a village, secondary school and a family home where guests may assist in preparing a meal. You may also join a primary school literacy session before returning to the lake retreat.

Key moments for Malawi and Zambia Encompassed

Full itinerary · 15 days

Prefer a PDF? Get the printable dossier
Dates & prices

Pick your departure

Reserve your place with a 10% deposit. Final balance due 70 days before departure. Single-room supplements optional — most travellers happily share.

  • Departure
    16 Aug 202630 Aug 2026
    Guaranteed
    From
    £6,390 pp
    Single supp. +£625
    Book now
  • Departure
    1 Nov 202615 Nov 2026
    Guaranteed
    From
    £6,390£6,140 pp
    Single supp. +£625
    Book now
  • Departure
    15 Aug 202729 Aug 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £6,390 pp
    Single supp. +£625
    Book now
  • Departure
    31 Oct 202714 Nov 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £6,390 pp
    Single supp. +£625
    Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Malawi journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

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What's included

Everything covered — and what's not

Included in the price

  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Overland transport throughout with professional driver
  • Flight from Mfuwe to Lusaka or Lilongwe
  • All accommodation
  • Game drives
  • National Park Fees
  • Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
  • Meals as listed
  • Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Budget separately for

  • International flights (, contact , us, for expert advice and a quote)
  • Any airport taxes (except when included for the flight from Mfuwe to Lusaka or Lilongwe)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visa – when required
  • Drinks
  • Items of personal nature
  • Tips (Discretionary)
Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

Before booking, check the latest country-specific guidance from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. US travellers should consult travel.state.gov, and Australian travellers should check Smartraveller.

At the time of writing, there are no FCDO warnings against travel to the areas of Malawi visited on our tours. We continuously monitor travel advice and will contact clients directly if any warnings are issued.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Independently verified reviews from travellers who joined Malawi and Zambia Encompassed. Rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ reviewers.

Many very good game drives with excellent guides who were very experienced, so I saw a lot of wildlife. Excellent.

Eric

Malawi

An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!

Anna

This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!

Grete

My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.

Frank

Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.

Cathy

Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.

Lynn

We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.

Andy

We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.

Jennie

Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.

Debbie

Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.

Alexis

Many very good game drives with excellent guides who were very experienced, so I saw a lot of wildlife. Excellent.

Eric

Malawi

An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!

Anna

This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!

Grete

My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.

Frank

Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.

Cathy

Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.

Lynn

We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.

Andy

We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.

Jennie

Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.

Debbie

Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.

Alexis

Want to customise this tour?

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Start planning your Malawi adventure

Join a small-group departure, or let our Malawi specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.

Common questions

Things travellers usually ask

  • How many travellers will be in my group?

    Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

  • Can I travel solo?

    Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.

  • How fit do I need to be?

    Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

  • When are the next departures?

    The next available departures are 16 August 2026; 1 November 2026; 15 August 2027. See the "Pick your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

  • What's included in the tour price?

    Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; Flight from Mfuwe to Lusaka or Lilongwe; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

  • Where exactly does this trip go?

    This tour visits Malawi and Zambia. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

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