4x4 or 4x2, Go Big or Go Home, Tour de Malawi
Overview
This tour does not have serious 4×4 stuff and a 4×2 will be fine. Bring your kit and join us.
We do a large loop through Malawi, starting in Eastern Zambia and its splendid South Luangwa, in to Malawi to the top then slowly down the lakes edge and out at the bottom.
The scene of a short naval battle. On 16 August 1914, Lake Malawi was the scene of a brief naval battle when a British gunboat commander heard that World War I had broken out, and he received orders from the British Empire’s high command to “sink, burn, or destroy” the German Empire’s only gunboat on the lake. The British disabled the German boat with a single cannon shot from a range of about 1,800 metres (2,000 yd). This very brief gunboat conflict was hailed by The Times in England as the British Empire’s first naval victory of World War I.
Today Malawi is one of those places where you can loose yourself in tall drinks on the fresh water beaches, or scuba diving or snorkelling the vast species of fish in the lake.
The ultimate in fish and chips at a lodge beach pub. Or a game drive in one of the splendid parks. Tour the tea plantation region or take a sundowner cruise on a river bordering a national park.
Malawi just has the ability to slow you down and bring you back to original Homo Sapiens pace. Take a swim in fresh water that feels like an ocean. Snorkel with the millions of fish. It is so different than you think…

The Itinerary
Day 1. 4 September 2023
We meet in Francistown Botswana. I drive here in a day from Johannesburg if you want to join me. We discuss the route and start our holiday.
Day 2.
We head up to Kasane and then cross the border in to Zambia. The new bridge makes life easier.We stay in Livingstone for the night.
Day 3.
After breakfast we make our way to Lusaka. The Zambezi river levels should not be very high and normally the Victoria falls would not be too spectacular at this point, But nothing stops you from doing a chopper flight over the falls. We stock up on a bit of groceries whilst we are here.
Day 4
Another push east will take us to the gateway of South Luangwa National park, voted best park in Africa a few times, this is a rather special spot. We make our way to Chipata town for the night.
Day 5
We head in to town to stock up on our necessities and then we head out to South Luangwa for two nights.
Day 6
After breakfast we make our way in to the park and enjoy a game viewing day. Picnic under a tree, lunch in the bush.
Day 7
We take a late morning and make our way back to Chipata for the night. If you missed the steak and chips here 3 nights ago you have another chance for this treat.
Day 8
We pack our stuff and head to the Malawi border. We do the necessary paperwork and get ourselves in to Malawi. Then on to our first night in Malawi. This is on the northern road in the mountain section. Being on the edge of the rift valley, Malawi has some of the most beautiful mountain landscape in our region. We make camp here for the night.
Day 9
We continue north, stop for groceries at the Shoprite in Mzuzu and then the last push to our camp for the next 2 nights.
Cocktails on the beach, Carlsberg beer, swim in the lake, relax is on the cards for the next 5 nights.
Day 10
We take the day off and you can shop around for a few wood carvings, order yourself a carving that will be completed somewhere during the night. Malawians are known for their wood carving.
Day 11
We start our journey south and follow the road on the lake edge. Through rubber plantations again to a wonderful campsite. green grass and relax after a rather short day.
Day 12
We pack our gear and head south towards cape McClear for two nights. This iconic spot is well known and we will spend two nights here.
Day 13
Another day to spend doing what you want to do. Lots of activities around. Kayaking, boat cruises, feed the fish eagles, snorkelling and scuba in the fresh water. Also good meals in the restaurant.
Day 14
We continue our journey south, and down to Majete game reserve. Two nights here visiting the area with newly introduced big 5 game will make for a good time.
Day 15
We head in to the park for the day to see what animals are around. The roads are a bit rough, but that is what the 4×4’s are for.
Day 16
We make our way to the Mozambique border to take the shortcut home. If there are issues in Mozambique we will head back as we came via Zambia. We sleep in the Mutare area in Zimbabwe for the night.
Day 17
We head further south and make our way to the Masvingo region for our last night. This means we have an early start on the border and it should take us only about 30 mins to get through. Should be in JHB just after lunch.
Day 18
We cross the border early and head home.
Tour specific comments
Vehicle:
A normal 4×2 or 4×4 as you buy them from the shop floor. No special kit required. Normal tyres or all terrain tyres are good
Drivers:
No experience required, I personally guide the tour and will give you everything you need as we go.
Towing:
You are welcome to bring something to tow. Only off road trailers and vans please. I have had trailers and small off road vans on this route before.
Other:
Bring your swimming kit and camera
