Group Size: 8 – 12 participants

km – kilometer & am – altitude meter

Day 1              Arrival Malawi

Pick-up from the airport and transfer to Mafumu Lodge which offers good executive rooms, all larger in size than the normal hotel standard. All the rooms are air conditioned with ensuite bathrooms, digital satellite TV, international direct dialing and email facilities. When it comes to mealtimes, you are well looked after. The guest house offers a mouth-watering buffet breakfast as well as an à la carte menu featuring both African cuisine and international dishes. There is also a well-stocked bar. Dinner can be had either at the Lodge or an arrangement can be made on site for a taxi to take into town to a restaurant.

Mafumu Hotel

Distance by bus 30 km, duration 0.5 h

Day 2              Cycling tour in the Luwawa Forest Reserve

Breakfast in Lilongwe and then a transfer to Luwawa Forest Lodge which is an international guest house and outdoor adventure center in the unspoilt wilderness of the Viphya Plateau. At 1600 m, the area is Malaria-free. Just a 3-hour drive from Lilongwe and 8 km off the M1 road, the lodge overlooks a large, fish-rich lake. The picturesque Luwawa Valley is stunningly beautiful, and the overwhelming impression is one of peace and tranquility. Much of the Lodge’s electricity is from solar energy and the water supply from a mountain stream. Fresh vegetables prepared in the kitchen are from the lodge’s permaculture garden. The lodge is dedicated to being in tune with its natural surroundings. The latest addition to the facilities is a sauna & bush shower. Luwawa has a rich bird life and you can spot antelopes near the lodge. Monkeys, baboons, leopards and hyenas are further away. The lodge is committed to responsible tourism through its many local community assistance projects in which guests can be directly involved. Winner of the Malawi Government’s Tourism Award 2008 for “Community Participation and Sustainable Tourism Practices”. Arrive at Luwawa for lunch. After that, do a 25 km acclimatization ride through the Perekezi Indigenous Forest (all single track). (B,L,D)

Luwawa Forest Lodge

Distance by bike 25 km, 457 am, gravel road, easy single trails

Distance by bus 250 km, duration 3.5 h

Day 3              Cycling Chikangawa – Kawalazi Tea Estate

After an early breakfast, a longer vehicle transfer to Chikangawa takes place. From there you cycle through beautiful landscapes to the Kawalazi Tea Estate. Today you spend the night in tents near the club house. Our own cook provides you with all meals. (B,L,D)

Kawalazi Tea Estate

Distance by bike 66 km, 834 am, tar/gravel road

Distance by bus 50 km, duration 2 h

Day 4              Kawalazi Estate down to the lake at Chintheche

Ride through the estate and over the second escarpment through the rice scheme and Vizara Rubber Estate to the lake shore road, ride south along the lake shore road to Chintheche Inn. Arrive mid-afternoon. Chintheche Inn stands on the northern shore of Lake Malawi on what is acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful of all the lake’s beaches. With a backdrop of the Viphya mountains and patches of tropical rain forest, the white sandy beaches, broken only by small rocky outcrops, stretch for miles. Accommodation is in ten brightly furnished, en suite rooms, each opening out on to the beach. There is a reception and dining area with a bar, but many take their meals out of doors with dinner served under the stars. There is a delightful swimming pool. The intimate atmosphere of the lodge is reminiscent of a safari camp. Careful attention is paid to guests’ wishes and a variety visits can be organized to explore the locality. There are boats from which to snorkel or dive in the clear warm waters of the lake. (B,L,D)

Chintheche Inn

Distance by bike 54 km, 563 am, tar

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 5              Cycling Ntchisi junction – Bwanje

Drive towards Kasungu via Nkhotakota. At the Ntchisi junction, cycle to the forest. Ntchisi Forest Lodge is located in some of Malawi’s last remaining rainforest in an isolated spot just two hours from Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital. The family-run lodge boasts stunning views over the hills down to Lake Malawi and all the way to the mountains of Mozambique on the opposite lakeshore. Guests at Ntchisi experience the warm-hearted hospitality of a part of rural Malawi where tourists are still a rarity and can enjoy walking and mountain biking in beautiful scenery. Rare birds and colorful orchids are abundant and samango monkeys, hyenas and baboons are regularly seen near the lodge. After a hard day’s exploring in the rainforest, the friendly hosts will prepare a delicious dinner using vegetables, herbs and fruits freshly plucked from the lodge garden. The lodge itself is a historical colonial building dating from 1914 (making it one of Malawi’s oldest buildings) so it is ideal for cozy evenings relaxing by a roaring log fire and soaking up the old-world charm. All five bedrooms are en suite and beautifully furnished in a fusion of African and colonial styles. A stay at Ntchisi Forest Lodge will be a highlight of any Malawi tour. (B,L,D)

Ntchisi Forest Lodge

Distance by bike 37 km, 577 am, gravel road

Distance by bus 90 km, duration 1.5 h

Day 6              Ntchisi Forest Lodge – Lake Malawi

On this morning, after an early breakfast, cycle down the escarpment again on a dirt road, then when you reach the main tarmac road, transfer by vehicle to Senga Bay to Safari Beach Lodge, our accommodation for the next two nights. The lodge is located in the secluded and beautiful Senga Bay Forest Reserve near Salima and is situated directly on the shore of Lake Malawi. The property of around 10 hectares has its own private beach, a swimming pool and a lush garden. From your gazebo you have a stunning view over Leopard Bay with its spectacular sunsets and the local fishermen in their dugout canoes. (B,L,D)

Safari Beach Lodge

Distance by bike 52 km, 523 am, gravel road

Distance by bus 190 km, duration 3 h

Day 7              Rest Day

A relaxing morning spent on the beach, a variety of activities can be done at the hotel including swimming, hiking, cycling around the area and other activities (optional, not included). For active cyclists, there is an opportunity to cycle to Kuti Game ranch, with a ride in the game park, lunch in the park, then cycle back to the hotel. (B,D)

Safari Beach Lodge

Distance by bike 32 km, 187 am, tar

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 8              Kuchilipa – Cape Maclear

Road transfer then some 60 km from Cape Maclear, cycle along a back road to Cape Maclear. Chembe Eagles Nest offers 6 double and 5 twin chalets – all en suite with Mosquito nets and ceiling fans as standard in all rooms. Chalets are lake facing with a patio to watch the exquisite sunset from your patio. We guarantee the most relaxing experience in Cape Maclear. Two nights will be spent here. (B,D)

Chembe Eagles Nest

Distance by bike 60 km, 425 am, gravel road

Distance by bus 140 km, duration 2 h

Day 9              Rest Day

The day is spent relaxing at the beach, taking part in what the area has to offer, including village tours, swimming, relaxing and hiking, it is ideal should one wish to cycle around the area. There is a charming route to Monkey Bay. One could have lunch there and cycle back to the hotel. (B,D)

Chembe Eagles Nest

Distance by bike 42 km, 470 am, tar/gravel road

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 10            Cycle tour Mangochi – Liwonde National Park

An early morning breakfast and a road transfer again, before you start the cycle to Kutchire Lodge in Liwonde, our accommodation for the next two nights. Arrival is just after lunch. On the other side of Shire river is the Liwonde National Park, the largest protected area in the country. In addition to hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, lions and elephants, there are over 400 species of birds. In the afternoon you take part in an afternoon game drive. (B,L,D)

Kutchire Lodge

Distance by bike 44 km, 179 am, tar/gravel road

Distance by bus 60 km, duration 1 h

Day 11             Game drives in the Liwonde National Park

After breakfast take a boat from Kutchire Lodge to Liwonde National Park, have lunch at Mvuu and game drive in the afternoon. Then boat transfer back to Kutchire Lodge. (B,L,D)

Kutchire Lodge

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 12             Cycle tour Liwonde – Zomba Plateau

After breakfast, a short road transfer and you continue to Zomba town. A visit to the local market is recommended, before heading up 1000 m to the plateau and have lunch. Before you head back down to your accommodation in Zomba, you can explore the endemic plants on the plateau on a hike or bike ride. (B,L,D)

Annie’s Lodge

Distance by bike 60 km, 610 am, tar/gravel road or 70 km, 1392 am, tar/gravel road

Distance by bus 40 km, duration 1 h

Day 13                        Cycle tour Zomba Plateau – Game Haven Lodge

After breakfast, the journey continues with the transfer / cycle to Game Haven Lodge, our accommodation for the next two nights. You make a detour to a hospital in Limbe. There you meet the local director of the “mothers 2 mothers” organization, which is active in several African countries. From her you learn how the Malawian health system works and what measures are being taken to combat HIV infection (AIDS). Game Haven is a serene, beautiful game park and the lodge is set in the indigenous forests and grasslands of the Shire highlands of Southern Malawi. Experience exceptional viewing of the wildlife which include kudu, roan, eland, sable, giraffe, zebra, and a prolific birdlife. As part of the unique Game Haven experience, enjoy the relaxing sound of the cascading waterfall at the swimming pool and fishing and braaiing (barbecue) on the scenic lawns of Lake Bvumbwe. (B,L,D)

Game Haven Lodge

Distance by bike 76 km, 945 am, tar

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 14                        Cycle Tour Game Haven Lodge – Mulanje

The day is spent exploring the area. A recommended cycling route is towards Mulanje mountain. For those wishing to relax, there are walks around the lodge grounds and golf course, a visit to the next-door tea estate is also a worthwhile experience. Return to the lodge in the afternoon. (B,D)

Game Haven Lodge

Distance by bike 69 km, 471 am, tar

Distance by bus 70 km, duration 1 h

Day 15            Journey Home

Today it is only a 1-hour transfer to Blantyre airport in time for your return flight and the end of your journey. (B)

Distance by bus 36 km, duration 1 h

A medium level of fitness is perfectly adequate for the trip. The ratio of gravel to asphalt road is 50/50. Since the travel date is during the dry season, the gravel roads are hard and easy to cycle on. The back-up vehicle is always close by and thus enables shorter distances. The temperatures are warm to hot. In the highlands it is 23-28 °C, at the lake and in the south of the country 28-33 °C.

There is a risk of malaria in Malawi. Please talk to your doctor about prophylaxis. All accommodations have mosquito nets over the beds and on the windows.