Across Malawi and Zambia – A Journey of Wildlife, Culture & Great Lakes
Some safaris are purely about wildlife. Others are road trips through changing landscapes. But every now and then, a journey like an Overland Safari through Malawi and Zambia combines everything Africa does best — wild national parks, lakeside villages, dramatic waterfalls, mountain scenery, history, culture, and genuine encounters with local people.
Our latest overland safari through Malawi and Zambia became exactly that: an unforgettable expedition stretching from the Warm Heart of Africa to the mighty Victoria Falls.
This particular journey covered an incredible distance in just 13 days / 12 nights — ambitious, adventurous, rewarding, and at times quite challenging. Looking back, it confirmed something we already suspected: this route is best enjoyed as a longer 16-day / 15-night expedition, allowing more flexibility, rest days, and time to fully appreciate the destinations along the way.
Arrival in Malawi – Chileka Airport
Our adventure began at Chileka Airport near Blantyre, Malawi’s commercial capital. After welcoming our guests, we set off northward through rolling hills, tea estates, bustling roadside markets, and villages filled with smiling faces.
Malawi immediately revealed its charm: relaxed, colorful, and deeply authentic.
Liwonde National Park – Elephants Along the Shire River
Our first major wilderness destination was Liwonde National Park, one of Southern Africa’s most underrated safari destinations.
Set along the banks of the Shire River, Liwonde delivered exceptional wildlife encounters from the very beginning. Morning game drives greeted us with golden light spilling across the floodplains while elephants moved silently through the riverine forest. Hippos crowded the waterways, crocodiles basked on sandbanks, and fish eagles echoed through the morning air.
The afternoon game drives brought an entirely different atmosphere. As temperatures cooled, animals became more active. We encountered large elephant herds, graceful antelope species, and excellent birdlife while the setting sun painted the landscape in deep orange tones.
Liwonde remains one of those rare parks where safari still feels peaceful and intimate.
Cape Maclear – Relaxing on Lake Malawi
After the intensity of safari life, we continued to the shores of Lake Malawi and the beautiful lakeside village of Cape Maclear.
Our base here was the relaxed and welcoming Thumbi View Lodge, perfectly positioned along the beach with stunning views across the clear blue waters of the lake.
One of the highlights was undoubtedly our sunset boat cruise. As the light softened over the lake, we cruised across calm waters surrounded by local fishing canoes returning home for the evening. Then came one of Malawi’s classic moments — fish eagle feeding. Watching these magnificent birds swoop down from the sky to catch fish directly from the water is always spectacular and remains one of the iconic experiences on Lake Malawi.
Cape Maclear also offered time to slow down, enjoy fresh fish dinners, swim in the lake, and absorb the peaceful rhythm of lakeside life.
Lilongwe – Malawi’s Capital Through a Different Lens
Continuing north, we explored Lilongwe, Malawi’s surprisingly green and spacious capital city.
Rather than simply passing through, we visited several important landmarks that help tell the story of modern Malawi:
- The World War I Monument
- The National Stadium
- The Parliament Buildings
- The Banda Mausoleum honoring Malawi’s first president, Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda
These visits added an important historical and cultural dimension to the safari.
Nkhata Bay – The Long Northern Road
The journey toward Nkhata Bay marked the beginning of more demanding travel conditions.
Northern Malawi is incredibly beautiful, but road conditions can become challenging, especially on longer overland expeditions. Potholes, damaged sections, roadworks, slow-moving trucks, and difficult mountain roads meant long travel days that required patience and concentration.
Still, the reward was worth it.
Nkhata Bay remains one of the most scenic destinations on Lake Malawi. Surrounded by steep green hills descending into crystal-clear water, it feels far removed from the rest of the world. Fishing boats drift across the lake while small waterfront bars and lodges create a relaxed backpacker atmosphere unique to northern Malawi.
Karonga – Dinosaurs & Rift Valley History
Further north along the lake, we stopped in Karonga and visited the Dinosaur Museum.
This fascinating museum preserves fossil discoveries from the Rift Valley and showcases the prehistoric history of the region. It is one of those unexpected highlights that travelers rarely anticipate but always remember.
Crossing into Zambia – Kanyala Border Post
Leaving Malawi behind, we crossed into Zambia through the remote Kanyala Border Post.
Border crossings in Africa are always small adventures in themselves — paperwork, immigration offices, roadside vendors, truck drivers waiting patiently, and curious conversations with local travelers.
From here onward, road conditions became even more demanding.
Northern Zambia – Beautiful but Challenging
Northern Zambia offered stunning scenery, remote villages, and a strong sense of adventure, but the roads tested both vehicle and driver.
Long rough stretches, unexpected detours, damaged road sections, and isolated terrain made this part of the expedition physically demanding. Fortunately, despite the difficult conditions, we managed to complete the route without any serious breakdowns — something we were genuinely grateful for considering the remoteness of certain areas.
These are the realities of true overland travel in remote Africa: unpredictable, challenging, and rewarding all at once.
Mbala – Highlands, Waterfalls & Tanganyika
Reaching Mbala felt like an achievement in itself.
Our stay at Lake Chila Lodge provided a welcome opportunity to slow down and recover while enjoying the cooler temperatures and scenic surroundings of northern Zambia’s highlands.
From here we explored two remarkable destinations:
Kalambo Falls
One of Africa’s tallest uninterrupted waterfalls, Kalambo Falls plunges dramatically into a deep gorge near the Tanzanian border. Remote and largely untouched by tourism, it remains one of Zambia’s great hidden natural wonders.
Mpulungu & Lake Tanganyika
We also descended toward Mpulungu on the shores of Lake Tanganyika — the world’s second deepest lake. The contrast between the cool highlands and the tropical lakeshore atmosphere creates one of the most fascinating landscape transitions in Zambia.
Mutinondo Wilderness – A Different Side of Zambia
Heading south again, we arrived at Mutinondo Wilderness, one of Zambia’s most underrated natural areas.
Granite hills, open miombo woodland, crystal-clear streams, and hiking trails create a completely different safari experience. After many long road sections, Mutinondo felt peaceful, refreshing, and deeply restorative.
Lusaka & The Southern Road
Eventually the route led us back toward Lusaka, Zambia’s busy capital and an important logistical stop after many days in remote regions.
By this stage, the journey had already covered an incredible variety of ecosystems, cultures, climates, and landscapes.
Livingstone – The Perfect Finish
Finally, we reached Livingstone and the mighty Victoria Falls.
After thousands of kilometers on challenging African roads, arriving at “The Smoke That Thunders” felt like the perfect conclusion to a truly epic overland safari.
Lessons From the Road
This safari reminded us that overland expeditions through Malawi and Zambia are among the most rewarding journeys in Southern Africa — but they require time.
Trying to complete this route in 13 days / 12 nights made the schedule feel rushed at times, especially in northern Malawi and northern Zambia where road conditions can significantly slow progress.
For future departures, we strongly recommend extending this itinerary to at least 16 days / 15 nights. The additional buffer allows travelers to:
- enjoy destinations at a more relaxed pace
- reduce long driving days
- better absorb local culture and scenery
- allow flexibility for road conditions
- include extra activities and rest days
Africa is best experienced slowly.
And despite the long days, rough roads, and logistical challenges, this journey once again proved why we love overland safaris so much: every kilometer tells a story.
Sunny greetings from Zambia,
The Zamsato Team
