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Cycling to the Highlights of Malawi
offered by supplier M16394 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 15
day(s)
Group Size: 6
- 15
people
Destination(s):
Malawi
Mozambique
Tanzania
Specialty Categories:
Bicycle Touring
Ecotourism
Season: May - September
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 4470 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 4470 US Dollar (USD)
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Tour Highlights:
- Cycling through massive granite peaks on the Vipha Plateau
- Swimming in the warm waters of Lake Malawi
- Visit the colorful market in Nkatha Bay
- Game viewing by bike on animal tracks in the Nyika National Park
- On rough jeep tracks along the feet of 3000m high Mount Mulanje
- Spectacular round trip by bike on Zomba Plateau
- Game viewing by boat and open safari vehicle in Liwonde National Park
Tour Itinerary:
Days 1-2: Arrival in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. After being greeted by the tour guides we drive through hilly farmland to the Viphya Plateau. We are accommodated for two nights at the Luwawa Forest Lodge. The cycling route takes us on nature trails through the indigenous Brachystegia forest to the 2121 m high Nkalapia inselberg with its beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. (60 km, dirt roads/forest tracks).
Days 3-4: Today we leave the plateau and cycle along beautiful roads downhill to Lake Malawi. The vegetation becomes more lush and tropical. We pass simple villages and tapioca fields and are a real attraction to the village children. The next two nights we spend at the Makuzi Beach Lodge. The warm lake with it’s multitude of tropical freshwater which is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. (75 km, dirt roads/forest tracks/tar). Our stay at the lake is flexible: we can cycle alongside the lake, go swimming, snorkeling, diving or kayaking or simply relax on the beach. (40 km, tar).
Days 5-6: The hilly, traffic-free road runs along the steep coast and through rubber tree plantations to the tranquil harbor town of Nkatha Bay. We stroll through the colorful market and enjoy the African hustle and bustle (47 km, tar). We leave the lake by vehicle and drive via Mzuzu to Nykia National Park, at an altitude of approx. 2300 m. We spend the next two nights in chalets at Chelinda Camp in the National Park. By bike we explore the solitude of the highlands, passing herds of zebra, bush buck and eland. (50 km, game trails/ dirt roads).
Day 7: Today’s cycle route takes us from the plateau in a long descent via Chakaka and the wild Henga Valley to the Livingstonia Mission. Along endless serpentines back to the lake we arrive at Mkondowe. We continue by vehicle to the comfortable Sunbird Hotel in Mzuzu. (80 km, game trails/dirt roads/tar).
Day 8: In a back-up bus we travel over the Viphya Plateau back to Lilongwe. An approx. one-hour flight takes us to Blantyre, the commercial center of the country. We are accommodated at Mount Soche Hotel with its beautiful tropical gardens.
Days 9-10: We leave the lively, leafy city by bike. The good asphalt roads gradually ascend to the Mulanje Mountains and later wind through tea plantations. At a tea farm we learn more about this enterprise. At the foot of the 3000 m high Mulanje Mountains we spend two nights at the simple Likhubulu Lodge. (85 km, dirt roads/tar). There are many beautiful hiking trails in the forested gorges of the mountain with opportunities for swimming in natural rock pools.
Day 11: Depending on the condition of the roads we cycle directly alongside the mountain to Fort Lister Gap. A steep ascent takes us to the market town of Phalombe. We travel by vehicle on dirt roads to Limbe and by a tar road on to Zomba, where we are accommodated in the Sunbird Kuchawe Lodge situated beautifully at the edge of the Zomba Plateau. (60 km, dirt roads).
Day 12: In the morning we cycle a circular route on the thickly forested Zomba Plateau. The bird life is just as impressive as the views of the Malawian lowlands. The afternoon can be used for a short hike or relaxing at the pool. (40 km, dirt roads).
Day 13: Today we cycle via Zomba mostly downhill to the Shire River. Alongside the densely populated streets are very interesting craft markets. In Liwonde we swap the bikes for a boat. On the wide Shire River we pass palm groves en route to Mvubu Camp. Here there are numerous crocodiles and hippopotamus and also elephants. For the next two nights we are accommodated in furnished safari tents and/or thatched chalets. (65 km, tar).
Day 14: Today we go game viewing by foot with an armed ranger who teaches us a bit about tracking. In the afternoon we do a safari in open Landrovers. Besides the "Big 5", elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo, we can also see various antelope such as reedbok or oribi.
Day 15: After breakfast a boat takes us back to Liwonde and the journey continues to the capital city of Lilongwe where this cycling tour in the warm heart of Africa comes to an end.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Qualified English-speaking tour guide
- All accommodation in double rooms with shower/toilet as above including breakfast (2-3*)
- Transport of bikes on trailer
- Permanent back-up
- All entrance fees
- All transfers and travel in air-conditioned minibus
Price Excludes:
- Flights to and from Malawi
- Gratuity
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Malawi
Mozambique
Tanzania
Bicycle Touring
Ecotourism
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