I’m travelling on the truck that has been our “home” for the past two weeks. We are about to leave Malawi, a country that is still among the poorest of Africa.
As I look through the window, I feel the noisy wind coming through and see. I see the dry landscape and red soil, the plastic that litters the roadside. There are almost no cars passing by. Only people walking past or on their old bikes. I see many mothers with kids on their backs, tucked in blankets of african colors.
We go past villages with homes made of red bricks, where I see kids, many kids, to whom I wave. Usually they wave first, with a warm smile, that dresses them with the most beautiful clothes they could have. Despite being dirty, despite all the difficulties of their young lives, they scream of joy and wave at us. I have much too learn from them.
Best Tours to Lake Malawi:
From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From From
Tour Length
57 days
Group Size
Max 20
Starts & Ends
Starts: Cape Town Ends: Nairobi
Countries
South Africa,
Namibia,
Botswana,
Zimbabwe,
Zambia,
Malawi,
Tanzania,
Kenya,
Uganda
Overview
This tour isn’t just a sample of Africa; it’s the entire buffet spread. From meeting the San bushmen in the blazing Kalahari to Big Five game drives in Etosha National Park, and floating through the Okavango in a "mokoro" canoe - we’ve got it all laid out for you. Top it off with the privilege of camping under the continent’s star-studded sky and then you’re really traveling Africa.
From open top safaris in the Masai Mara, to camping in the Serengeti, and gorilla trekking in Uganda, this is a wildlife odyssey like no other. Throw in a paradise island, dramatic canyons, and intimate village tours, and you’ve found yourself in a story book expedition that will change your life. Fifty-seven days, nine countries, seven national parks, one continent. This is how you travel Africa.
57 Day Cape Town to Nairobi Tour (Camping)
Tour start → end dates
Price
Enquire
15 Feb 2025
→
12 Apr 2025
Check Availability
01 Mar 2025
→
26 Apr 2025
Check Availability
15 Mar 2025
→
10 May 2025
Check Availability
29 Mar 2025
→
24 May 2025
Check Availability
12 Apr 2025
→
07 Jun 2025
Check Availability
26 Apr 2025
→
21 Jun 2025
Check Availability
10 May 2025
→
05 Jul 2025
Check Availability
24 May 2025
→
19 Jul 2025
Check Availability
07 Jun 2025
→
02 Aug 2025
Check Availability
21 Jun 2025
→
16 Aug 2025
Check Availability
05 Jul 2025
→
30 Aug 2025
Check Availability
19 Jul 2025
→
13 Sep 2025
Check Availability
02 Aug 2025
→
27 Sep 2025
Check Availability
16 Aug 2025
→
11 Oct 2025
Check Availability
30 Aug 2025
→
25 Oct 2025
Check Availability
13 Sep 2025
→
08 Nov 2025
Check Availability
27 Sep 2025
→
22 Nov 2025
Check Availability
11 Oct 2025
→
06 Dec 2025
Check Availability
25 Oct 2025
→
20 Dec 2025
Check Availability
08 Nov 2025
→
03 Jan 2026
Check Availability
Tour Length
34 days
Group Size
Max 18
Starts & Ends
Starts: Dar es Salaam Ends: Cape Town
Countries
Tanzania,
Malawi,
Zambia,
Botswana,
Namibia,
South Africa
Overview
In search of powdery beaches, with the backdrop of sailing wooden dhows, complete with electric blue waters overflowing with rainbow clouds of tropical fish - and that's just day one of your adventure and it only gets better from here. This paradise-inspired tour hits all the right spots, taking you from the peaceful island vibes of Zanzibar to the bustling Cape Town. Top it off with wildlife safaris in Chobe and wilderness excursions in Okavango. Ready? This is how you travel Africa.
34 Day Zanzibar to Cape Town Tour (Accommodated)
Tour start → end dates
Price
Enquire
18 Feb 2025
→
23 Mar 2025
Check Availability
04 Mar 2025
→
06 Apr 2025
Check Availability
18 Mar 2025
→
20 Apr 2025
Check Availability
01 Apr 2025
→
04 May 2025
Check Availability
15 Apr 2025
→
18 May 2025
Check Availability
29 Apr 2025
→
01 Jun 2025
Check Availability
13 May 2025
→
15 Jun 2025
Check Availability
27 May 2025
→
29 Jun 2025
Check Availability
10 Jun 2025
→
13 Jul 2025
Check Availability
24 Jun 2025
→
27 Jul 2025
Check Availability
08 Jul 2025
→
10 Aug 2025
Check Availability
22 Jul 2025
→
24 Aug 2025
Check Availability
05 Aug 2025
→
07 Sep 2025
Check Availability
19 Aug 2025
→
21 Sep 2025
Check Availability
02 Sep 2025
→
05 Oct 2025
Check Availability
16 Sep 2025
→
19 Oct 2025
Check Availability
30 Sep 2025
→
02 Nov 2025
Check Availability
14 Oct 2025
→
16 Nov 2025
Check Availability
28 Oct 2025
→
30 Nov 2025
Check Availability
11 Nov 2025
→
14 Dec 2025
Check Availability
25 Nov 2025
→
28 Dec 2025
Check Availability
09 Dec 2025
→
11 Jan 2026
Check Availability
23 Dec 2025
→
25 Jan 2026
Check Availability
Tour Length
22 days
Group Size
Max 20
Starts & Ends
Starts: Nairobi Ends: Livingstone
Countries
Zambia,
Malawi,
Tanzania,
Kenya
Overview
An awe-inspiring blend of palm-fringed beaches, snow-dusted mountains, sweeping savannahs, and an abundance of wildlife to boot - this rugged tour puts you in the heart of the world’s safari mecca. Spot the big five in the fabled Serengeti, track black rhinos in the Ngorongoro Crater, and breathe in the exotic aromas of the spice capital. You’ll think it can’t get any better until you hear the heart-pumping roar of Victoria Falls. Now this is the tour you’ve been dreaming of.
22 Day Nairobi to Livingstone Tour Overland Explorer (Accommodated)
Tour start → end dates
Price
Enquire
02 Mar 2025
→
23 Mar 2025
Check Availability
30 Mar 2025
→
20 Apr 2025
Check Availability
22 Jun 2025
→
13 Jul 2025
Check Availability
06 Jul 2025
→
27 Jul 2025
Check Availability
20 Jul 2025
→
10 Aug 2025
Check Availability
03 Aug 2025
→
24 Aug 2025
Check Availability
17 Aug 2025
→
07 Sep 2025
Check Availability
31 Aug 2025
→
21 Sep 2025
Check Availability
14 Sep 2025
→
05 Oct 2025
Check Availability
28 Sep 2025
→
19 Oct 2025
Check Availability
12 Oct 2025
→
02 Nov 2025
Check Availability
26 Oct 2025
→
16 Nov 2025
Check Availability
09 Nov 2025
→
30 Nov 2025
Check Availability
23 Nov 2025
→
14 Dec 2025
Check Availability
07 Dec 2025
→
28 Dec 2025
Check Availability
21 Dec 2025
→
11 Jan 2026
Check Availability
In Malawi we spent only three nights, on the shores of lake Malawi, the third largest in Africa. Once connected to the sea many years ago, now it is a freshwater lake, with unique fish species.
Yesterday we had the opportunity of going snorkeling and it was like entering a giant fishtank! Many little fish in great numbers and colors left me in another World.
During the afternoon we ventured into the “shops” next to the entrance of our campsite, in Kande Beach. It is hard to put into words, but it was kind of hilarious. As soon as we left the gate and came close to the first “shop”, about 15 people that were sitting there came to meet us. “Come look at my store” said the first, “come look at mine”, would say the next. “I paint maps of Africa where I mark all the countries you passed on your trip, and write your name” said another one that followed us from shop to shop.
All of them with a smile on their face, and without fear of the competition, tried to sell us their painting and wood carvings. They asked us what we were looking for. It was for a baby, and we already had an idea in mind, that we didn’t find there. Still, in the 5 “shops”, they started to find articles that could be a gift for a baby. They were all so helpful, but at the same time really wanted to make business, leaving us in the difficult position of saying no to such kindness, but we did.
After this small odyssey, when we went back to the campsite next to the beach, one of the workers approached us and said “There is a hippo in the lake!” What? A hippo? That can’t be true!”,, “Yes, yes, it is true”, he answered. I couldn’t believe it. I had read in the bathroom the warnings about the possibility of crocodiles showing up in the lake at night, but never heard hippos mentioned.
Me and João, as we got closer to the beach, started to see many people looking in the direction of the lake, and no one in the water. “maybe he was telling the truth”, we mentioned to each other with a great smile . You bet it was! We passed by a friend from our group that said “I almost died! There was a hippo very close!”. We later understood that he was exaggerating a little bit, since the hippo was a reasonable distance away. In any case it was quite frightening to the group that was about to go snorkeling on paddleboards and had to come back. It was not easy to spot them since they were in the lake, and only came to the surface every now and then for a few seconds.
Yesterday there was also part of our group that went to visit a local village. I didn’t go, but learned that at the school there are 1500 kids for 11 teachers. How is that possible? Even though primary education is mandatory, there are families that can’t send all their kids to school, since they need them to work, or because they have no money to pay the uniform, shoes or other mandatory items.
We crossed the country from north to south, and one thing is for sure. Life here is not easy, but that doesn’t stop people from smiling. Life here, for most of them, is lived with less than a dollar per day. Poverty here is extreme. It saddens me, because I know we could live in a world without so much wealth inequality, more fair and peaceful. It’s worth fighting for.
Being a tourist in Africa is not for everyone, but I think it is one of the best ways to directly help the local populations. We leave it to you, especially as it’s so easy to fall in love with this continent.
Visit João and Margarida’s blog – Nomad Plot – to read all about their worldwide travels or visit their Facebook Nomad Plot page and Instagram Account to follow their journey.
It’s wonderful to come across a well-written piece about Malawi. It’s a stunning nation known for its beaches and national parks. During our trip, we explored the enchanting Mangochi region along the shores of Lake Malawi. Additionally, we took in the vibrant local markets and explored the historical sites in Mangochi. Your audience will surely appreciate this post: https://christobeltravel.com/mangochi-malawi-africa-a-guide-to-mangochi-beaches-on-lake-malawi-other-places-to-visit-around-mangochi/