Dhows, Safari and Lake Malawi

All the best adventures start with a bit of a journey, and this one’s no different. Fly to Johannesburg, and from here onto Blantyre, Malawi’s second city. Four incredible days of safari adventure await, kick-started by a journey into the bush that is something magical in itself; imagine the wilds of Scotland, add a splash of African sunshine and throw in some of the friendliest communities in Africa and you’re almost there. Deep in the heart of the wilderness, even the curmudgeonliest of travellers won’t fail to be seduced by the romance of an African sunset or gasp at the flash of a kingfisher plunging into the river. Staying at Mkulumadzi, you'll wake up each morning to a stunning sunrise, head out into Malawi’s wonderful landscapes to spot amazing wildlife and, as night draws in, watch the stars shoot across the night’s sky before drifting off to the sound of wallowing hippos.

Sadly, every adventure must come to an end, but the next chapter of your holiday brings something equally delightful. At the end of your safari, you’ll be driven up to Malawi’s lakeshore, where you’ll spend a blissful eight nights at your lakeside retreat, Pumulani. Here, treat yourself to a lazy lie-in before indulging in afternoon tea aboard a dhow, enjoying the wonderful serenity of Africa’s third largest lake, disturbed only by the call of fish eagles and the gentle sound of the sail fluttering in the wind. Snorkel amongst the glittering shoals of fish or even give waterskiing a go in the most dramatic of locations. Just a short cycle or kayak or away lie numerous tiny lakeside village, where you can find out for for yourself why Malawians are considered the friendliest people on the continent.