Rock My Malawi, Zambia & Botswana Adventure

14 Nights from £3,295*

Tour Overview

Join us on an awesome adventure spanning 3 incredible African countries – Malawi, Zambia & Botswana!

Experience the beauty and tranquillity of Lake Malawi and immerse yourself in local life in Cape Maclear.

Go on safari in magical South Luangwa National Park and the incredible Chobe National Park and go on adventures in Livingstone, home to the mighty Victoria Falls!

Imagine yourself, sitting next to the Zambezi, Luangwa or Chobe Rivers, G&T in hand, watching the big, African sun, setting on the horizon as elephants play in the water below… there’s no feeling like it!

This is the Africa that dreams were made of.

Lilongwe

Lake Malawi

Mumbo Island

South Luangwa NP

Angel’s Pool

Victoria Falls

Zambezi River

Malawi, Zambia & Botswana Small Group Tour

Chobe NP

Tour Highlights

Getting to know each other over a welcome meal at a great local restaurant
Exploring Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe
Spending 2 blissful nights on a private island on Lake Malawi
Going kayaking, snorkelling, and swimming off Mumbo Island
Taking a sunset boat trip out on Lake Malawi
Enjoying a bonfire & drumming session on the beach in Cape Maclear
Going shopping at the Lilongwe local market and craft market
Going on safari in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia (Helen’s favourite national park in Africa)
Visiting Tribal Textiles
Going for a massage at The Bush Spa
Visiting Mfuwe village
Seeing Victoria Falls from the Zambian side
Going on a sunset cruise in the mighty Zambezi river
Getting adventurous in Livingstone (micro lighting, Angel’s Pool, white water rafting rhino tracking etc)
Going on safari in Chobe National Park, Botswana

What’s Included

16 nights accommodation
16 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 8 dinners
All activities as per the itinerary below
Rock My Adventure group leader & local guides
Comprehensive pre-departure information & support
All transportation as per the itinerary & included activities

Tour Dates

14 – 28 July 2023 BOOK NOW

Cost

Total – from £3,295 (approx.)*

Deposit: £400 (non-refundable)
2nd Payment: £2,175 (due 62 days before the departure date)
3rd Payment: $1,000 (local payment, paid on arrival)

* Total subject to current USD to GBP exchange rates

Notes

This is one of our more relaxing trips, so if you’re looking for an adventure with a good mix of activity and relaxation time, this is the tour for you!
This is Helen’s favourite trip, so you won’t be disappointed!
In July/August, the Angel’s Pool is usually open, in September the Devil’s Pool is usually open. They are both equally wonderful!
There is one long drive day between South Luangwa National Park and Lusaka. The odd, long drive is part of the Africa travel experience. If you hate long drives, you do have the option to fly (flights paid for and organised separately by yourselves, however, we can advise on these).

Itinerary

Day 1: Lilongwe, Malawi

Arrive in Lilongwe and transfer to your accommodation for the night.

Relax and get to know your fellow travellers during a welcome meal and a beer or two! Your Rock My Malawi, Zambia & Botswana Adventure starts here!

* If you arrive earlier, we can help to organise any other activities you wish to do in Lilongwe. Additional accommodation and activities charged separately.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Ensuite)
Activities: None

Day 2: Mumbo Island, Malawi

After breakfast, we’ll make our way out of the hustle and bustle of the city towards Cape Maclear (Chembe village) on the shores of Lake Malawi.

Lake Malawi is the world’s biggest freshwater lake and is so big, that it actually looks like the ocean. At night, the fishermen use lanterns that twinkle on the water and they are the reason the lake became known as the ‘Lake of Stars’.

When we arrive, we’ll have lunch before taking a boat over to beautiful Mumbo Island for the next 2 nights.

Here we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner before we spend the night in beautiful chalets overlooking the lake.

And relax…

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Chalets (Ensuite)
Activities: Mumbo Island, Snorkelling, Kayaking

Day 3: Mumbo Island, Malawi

Our wonderful hosts will bring us coffee and tea at 6am so we can watch the sunrise over Lake Malawi – definitely worth waking up early for.

The day is free for swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear water, hiking around the island, lounging around in hammocks, relaxing, and kayaking.

For those who like to scuba dive, the lake is famous for having the best freshwater diving in the world and is home to more species of freshwater fish than any other lake in the entire world with it being part of the Great Rift Valley, you’ll also be treated to some spectacular underwater scenery too.

At night we’ll have a beach braai and watch the fishing boats twinkling in the water whilst the stars twinkle overhead before retiring to our chalets for a good night’s sleep!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Chalets (Ensuite)
Activities: Mumbo Island, Kayaking, Snorkeling, Hiking

Day 4: Cape Maclear, Malawi

After another sunrise coffee and a hearty breakfast, we’ll make our way back to the mainland.

The rest of the day is free to take part in the activity of your choice and you will have the opportunity to explore the area and get a glimpse into life in the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’.

Available activities include village tours, kayaking, and hiking.

In the afternoon, we’ll take a sunset cruise out on the lake to hopefully see some fish eagles, and otters that live in the area.

Afterward, we’ll go to a great local restaurant for dinner before joining some of our local friends for drumming and singing around the fire.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge (Ensuite)
Activities: Lake Malawi Sunset Boat Trip, Bonfire & Drumming

Day 5: Lilongwe, Malawi

After we’ve said our goodbyes to Lake Malawi, we’ll head back to Lilongwe to get ready for the next part of our journey into Zambia.

There will be time for shopping at the craft market and local market in the afternoon (Lilongwe is a great place to buy African fabrics, art, and wooden carvings).

The evening is free to do your own thing, however, your group leader will organise a group dinner at one of Lilongwe’s great restaurants. Afterward, you can get a good night’s sleep or sample the nightlife!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel (Ensuite)
Activities: Lilongwe Market & Craft Market

Day 6: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

We’ll spend the next 3 days in gorgeous South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. South Luangwa is one of the best places in Africa to spot leopards – so fingers crossed we’ll be lucky!

We’ll be staying right on the banks of the Luangwa River where animals are often known to wander into the camp, so there will be plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife even when you’re not on safari!

On the way, we will visit a wonderful local textile factory and craft shop where you will have the opportunity to purchase beautiful and unique hand-painted items including bags, cushions and wall hangings.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge (Ensuite)
Activities: Textile Factory & Shop

Day 7: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

We’ll spend the majority of the day on safari (morning and afternoon/evening game drives) to try and spot all our favourite safari animals.

South Luangwa is an incredible safari destination, mainly due to the landscape and the animals you can see there, as well as the fact that we camp just on the river, waking up to the sounds of hippos in the water.

When it gets hot in the middle of the day, well return to camp to have lunch and you can have a swim in the pool to cool down before we head back out on safari for our final game drive of the day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge (Ensuite)
Activities: 2 x Safaris in South Luangwa National Park

Day 8: South Luangwa National Park

Today is a free day in South Luangwa but there are lots of options for how you can spend your day!

If you want to do more safaris you can book one or two additional game drives or do a walking safari with the rangers, something South Luangwa National Park is famous for.

You can enjoy the Zambian hospitality and take a village tour with local guides who will show you around and tell you about their way of life.

Or you can make a visit to The Bush Spa for a relaxing massage overlooking a hippo pool or take an ‘art safari’ class with the wonderful Tribal Textiles and learn to create your own batiks.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge (Ensuite)
Activities: None

Day 9: Lusaka, Zambia

Today is a long drive day* as we head away from the bush, down to Zambia’s vibrant capital, Lusaka.

However, in Africa, the journeys are part of the experience and you’ll never get bored watching the scenery go by and the smiles and waves from the lovely Zambian people.

You can also look out for the kids selling the local delicacy – mice on a stick. Anyone want to try?

When we arrive, we’ll have dinner and those who want to can go out to experience the Lusaka nightlife or you can rest at the hotel before we continue our journey down to Livingstone the following day.

*If you hate long drives, you do have the option to fly (flights paid for and organised separately by yourselves, however, we can advise on these).

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge (Ensuite)
Activities: None

Day 10: Livingstone, Zambia

The next stop is Livingstone, the adventure capital of Africa and the home to one of the most spectacular places on earth, Mosi-oa-Tunya (‘The Smoke that Thunders’), better known as Victoria Falls!

And it just happens to be our favourite place in all of Africa. Yes, really!

We’ll arrive in the afternoon and there will be free time to relax before we head out for dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Flashpacker Hostel (Ensuite)
Activities: None

Day 11: Livingstone, Zambia

In the morning, we’ll visit the spectacular Victoria Falls from the Zambian side. You will love exploring the paths, crossing the ‘Knife Edge’ bridge, and seeing one of the natural wonders of the world!

In the afternoon, we’ll go on a bike ride around town with a local social enterprise where you will get to see parts of town that most tourists never get to see and you’ll visit the school where Helen used to work as a volunteer on the Book Bus!

The evening is free, but we’ll organise a group dinner at a great restaurant in town for those who would like to join.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Flashpacker Hostel (Ensuite)
Activities: Victoria Falls (Zambian side), Livingstone Bicycle Tour

Malawi, Zambia & Botswana Adventure Tour

Day 12: Livingstone, Zambia

Today is a free day to take part in one of the many activities on offer. This includes white water rafting, swimming in ‘Angel’s or Devil’s Pool (highly recommended), taking a helicopter flight or microlighting over the falls (highly recommended), canoeing, rhino tracking, white water rafting, or bungee jumping off the ZimZam bridge.

Or, if you’re feeling slightly less adventurous you may just want to chill by the pool, get clothes made, visit a local market or visit Zimbabwe to see the falls from the other side – it’s up to you!

In the late afternoon, we’ll head to the Zambezi River for drinks and snacks on a super fun sunset cruise, where we may be lucky to spot animals such as elephants, hippos, and giraffes.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Flashpacker Hostel (Ensuite)
Activities: Sunset Cruise (dinner & drinks included)

Day 13: Chobe National Park, Botswana

Today is an exciting day as we’re heading to Botswana (a 45- minute drive from Livingstone) and the amazing Chobe National Park, which is home to up to 120,000 elephants!

We’ll start with a light breakfast, followed by a fantastic 3-hour boat cruise along the river and after lunch, we’ll go on a game drive through the park.

In the evening, we’ll head to our bush camp where our crew will prepare dinner and we will spend the night chatting around the campfire and listening to the sounds of the African bush.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (All Camping Equipment & Bedding Provided)
Activities: Chobe River Safari Boat Cruise, Chobe Safari, Bush Camping

Day 14: Kasane, Botswana

In the morning, we’ll go on another safari in Chobe National Park to try and catch the animals whilst they’re active in the morning.

This is an especially good time to spot lions and leopards so keep your eyes peeled and your fingers crossed.

In the afternoon, we’ll head out of the park and to our hotel to freshen up before we enjoy a farewell dinner and toast to an amazing trip through Malawi, Zambia & Botswana.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Ensuite)
Activities: Chobe Safari, Farewell Meal

Savuti Botswana Group Tour - Rock My Adventure

Rooftop Restaurant in Stone Town, Zanzibar

Day 15: Departure Day

Today is always a sad day as we say goodbye to our new friends, but the memories and shared experiences will last a lifetime.

We can arrange the transfer to Kasane Airport (or Livingstone or Victoria Falls Airports – both are within easy reach of Kasane) or you can continue your Africa travels from there.

If you need any support with your pre or post-tour Africa travels, please don’t hesitate to contact us. It’s all part of the Rock My Adventure service!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
Activities: None

Please bear in mind that the itinerary is subject to minor changes, ‘This is Africa’! But whatever happens, we’ll ensure you have an amazing trip!!

Have a question? Feel free contact us here or take a look at our FAQ’s page.

Testimonials

“Honestly, it was one of the best trips I have ever had.”

“Going on tour with Helen/Rock My Adventure is like going on holiday with your friend, your much more organised friend who knows what they’re doing. It didn’t feel like a tour at all and I liked that it wasn’t too regimented and that there were lots of options of different things to do in places depending on interest, activity levels etc. Honestly, it was one of the best trips I have ever had, including various solo travels, holidays with friends/family, other tours. It really was amazing! I really don’t know what would make the trip better. I’m very glad I chose Rock My Adventure, as I wouldn’t have had the same experience with a big overland tour, this did feel more authentic. Helen, you were a gem! I liked that you weren’t some distant tour leader but more like our friend who could answer all our questions and sort stuff out. You did a great job!“

LAURA | UK

“It’s one of the best trips I’ve ever taken and it will be hard to top.”

“I waited a long time to make my first trip to Africa and now I know why – I needed to see it with Helen and my 7 other new friends/tour mates! Not only did we get to see some of Africa’s most amazing sights (leopards, lion cubs, 1000 elephants, fighting giraffes, Victoria Falls, local villages) but our down time was just as wonderful (dancing in Cape Maclear, winning the pub quiz, chatting around the campfire, drinking all the red wine). It’s one of the best trips I’ve ever taken and it will be hard to top. Helen is the best! Her patience and knowledge know no bounds. She was great at balancing out the different personalities on the trip and making sure everyone was comfortable. Helen, my other tour mates, and the locals made every day fun and interesting. I can’t wait to return to Africa! But how do I decide which Rock My Adventure tour to go on next?”

ANNIE | USA

“It was perfect. I cannot recommend this trip enough.”

“l have always been a solo backpacker but, honestly, Africa intimated me. I am so happy that I discovered Rock My Adventure. It was perfect. It attracts people who go with the flow, are fun, and adventurous. My group became my family. Malawi, Zambia, and Botswana are stunning countries. Vicki was absolutely excellent. She did her very best to make sure everything went smoothly. She stayed up in the evenings to call and confirm bookings/coordinate etc. Most importantly she balanced being a tour leader and being part of the group (enjoying the experiences with us). I cannot recommend this trip enough.”

SHWETA | USA

Essential Info

Duration: 14 Nights

Dates:

14 – 28 July 2023 BOOK NOW

Start: Lilongwe, Malawi

Finish: Kasane, Botswana

Maximum Group Size: 8 people

Minimum Age: 18

Total Cost: from £3,295*

Dates:

Deposit: £400 (non-refundable)
2nd Payment: £2,175 (due 62 days before the departure date)
3rd Payment: $1,000 (local payment, paid on arrival)

* Subject to current USD to GBP exchange rates

Support

Rock My Adventure group leader
Local tour guides
Comprehensive pre-departure information & planning advice

Meals

14 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 11 dinners

Accommodation

14 nights of accommodation in good quality/unique safari camps, hostels, hotels, & guesthouses. Includes 2 nights camping whilst in Chobe National Park

Transport

All transport within Malawi, Zambia & Botswana to and from included excursions and between the main destinations on the tour (includes – taxi, safari vehicle, ferry, tuk tuk, boat, bus & minibus)

Activities

2-Night Stay on Mumbo Island
Kayaking & Snorkelling at Mumbo Island
Lake Malawi Sunset Boat Trip
Bonfire & Drumming Session
Lilongwe Market & Craft Market
2 x Safaris in South Luangwa National Park
Textile Factory & Shop Visit
Victoria Falls Visit (Zambian side)
Livingstone Cycling Tour
Zambezi River Sunset Cruise (dinner & drinks included)
Chobe River Safari Boat Cruise
1 Night/2 Day Bush Camping Safari in Chobe National Park

Flights
Airport transfers (however we can arrange these for you)
Visas (if needed)
Medications, antimalarials or vaccinations
Travel/health insurance (required)
Drinks & meals not mentioned
Optional activities
Transport for optional activities
Tips for local guides

You will make 3 payments for this tour:

Deposit: Paid in GBP upon booking
Balance: The remainder of the GBP balance (minus the deposit) paid 62 days before your arrival
Local Payment: Paid on arrival to your tour leader in Africa

The local payment is part of the overall cost of the trip. You pay the local payment to your tour leader in US Dollars (unless specified otherwise) upon arrival in Africa.

This includes the on-tour expenses that we cannot pay prior to arrival, such as national park entry fees, meals, local transport, and some activities.

The local payment is NOT your spending money.

Travel insurance is essential for ALL Rock My Adventure trips.

Your health and safety when travelling is of the utmost importance, so it is vital that you have travel insurance policy that covers you for your trip to Africa. Adequate travel insurance is a condition of your contract with us and you will not be able to join a trip without it.

You must be satisfied that your insurance fully covers all your personal requirements including cancellation charges, theft, medical expenses and repatriation in the event of accident or illness.

Your insurance should also cover you for any adventurous activities that you wish to do – this includes the ‘included’ activities on the tour and any ‘optional’ activities.

Please be aware that some hazardous activities such as (but not limited to) white water rafting on grade 5 rapids, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, safari walks, bungee jumping and sky diving may not be covered by all policies, so you may have to take out a higher level of cover.

Medical care is not free in Africa and even the cost of getting to hospital can be super expensive, so you need to be covered in case of a medical emergency, including air ambulance evacuation and repatriation in the event of accident or illness.

For example, if your appendix bursts whilst on tour, you would need to be evacuated by helicopter/plane to a major city like Nairobi or Johannesburg.

Without insurance, you would need to pay for that out of your own pocket and this could equate to thousands of dollars.

If you are bringing along any electrical equipment such as cameras and laptops, you should also ensure your insurance covers those items too. Some policies only have this as an add-on.

If you are travelling to an area that is subject to foreign office warnings, this may void your travel insurance, so you may need to take out an additional policy for the days you are in the danger zones.

Please always read the small print.

Come to Africa! What are you waiting for?

BOOK NOW

Have a question before you book? Then contact us using the form below!

If you’d like to talk to us in person, just let us know and we can set up a Zoom call!

And don’t forget to add [email protected] to your email safe list and check your junk, just in case our reply ends up in there!