Remote Indulgence–
Luxury Off the Beaten Path
This high-end itinerary takes you to Malawi’s most beautiful and remote corners — by air and in style. From barefoot luxury on Likoma Island to panoramic calm in Nyika, riverside elegance in Liwonde to the cool charm of Zomba and Mulanje — every stop offers curated comfort, stunning views, and top-tier hospitality.
Fly between handpicked lodges where service is personal, the food is exceptional, and the settings are unforgettable. Whether it’s lake, bush, mountain or culture — this journey is indulgence, without compromise.
Tailored, seamless, and deeply relaxing.
Lilongwe
Day 1 - 3
Your journey begins with a luxury SUV airport pickup and a short drive to Kumbali Country Lodge — your peaceful base in Lilongwe. Nestled on a private estate just outside the city, Kumbali offers understated elegance, lush gardens, and warm Malawian hospitality.
Spend your first two days settling in and exploring at your own pace. Visit the on-site banana plantation, go for a guided nature walk, enjoy a game drive through Kumbali’s private reserve, or take a short city tour to explore the capital’s cultural highlights. Or do it all — it’s your time to indulge.
Set on a peaceful estate just outside Lilongwe, Kumbali Country Lodge is a welcoming retreat surrounded by nature and farmland. It’s the perfect blend of comfort, space, and character, offering a quiet base with easy access to the city—but far enough away to feel like a proper escape.
Accommodation is in spacious, en-suite rooms, each with comfortable beds, locally crafted furniture, and private verandas overlooking the gardens. The lodge is set within lush grounds, with walking trails, birdlife, and even a private game reserve right on the doorstep.
There’s a thatched restaurant and bar, a swimming pool, and plenty of cosy corners to relax with a book or a sundowner.
Likoma Island
Day 3 - 6
On your third day, we fly you to the stunning Likoma Island — a scenic 1-hour flight across Lake Malawi. Upon arrival, staff from Kaya Mawa will be waiting to welcome you. From the airstrip, it’s a short 20-minute transfer to the lodge.
Tucked away on a secluded beach, Kaya Mawa is where barefoot luxury meets island charm. Get ready to slow down, take in the views, and enjoy a few days of pure indulgence.
Regularly ranked among Africa’s finest lodges, Kaya Mawa is arguably the best place to stay along the entire lakeshore. Built seamlessly into the rocky outcrops and beaches of Likoma Island, the lodge blends exceptional design with natural beauty. Each room is individually crafted with hand-carved furniture, vibrant textiles, and thoughtful details that make every space feel both luxurious and deeply personal.
From private beach chalets to family houses and romantic honeymoon hideaways, the accommodation options are diverse but uniformly stunning. Some rooms have direct access to the lake, others are built into the rocks with panoramic views — all are a short walk from the lodge’s stylish main area.
The restaurant is a highlight of any stay, consistently serving some of the best food in Malawi — fresh, creative and beautifully plated. Whether you're lounging on your private deck, kayaking in the bay, or enjoying a massage at the spa, every moment at Kaya Mawa feels like it was made just for you.
Nyika National Park
Day 6 - 9
On day 6, your chartered flight sweeps you northward to one of Malawi’s most enchanting hidden gems—Nyika National Park, perched high at over 2,000 metres above sea level. In less than an hour, you’re transported to an entirely different world: a vast highland plateau of rolling grasslands, misty valleys, wildflowers, and roaming antelope. It's a landscape more reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands than Central Africa.
Your stay is at the beautifully secluded Chelinda Lodge, nestled beside a peaceful pine forest with sweeping views of the undulating hills. With cozy log cabins, roaring fireplaces, and starry night skies, this is the perfect place to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with nature.
It does get crisp and cool up here—especially in the evenings—so pack something warm and get ready to fall in love with the wild, poetic charm of Nyika.
Chelinda Lodge is one of Malawi’s most atmospheric and unique lodges, offering a refined yet rustic retreat in the heart of Nyika National Park. Set on the edge of a pine forest and overlooking vast open hills, the lodge is made entirely from locally sourced stone and timber, blending perfectly into its wild surroundings.
Each of the eight private log cabins features a spacious en-suite bathroom, a fireplace to keep you warm during chilly highland evenings, and large windows that frame sweeping views of the rolling plateau.
The main lodge area includes a cosy lounge, dining space, and a sunroom perfect for watching the sunrise with a hot cup of Malawian coffee in hand.
Mangochi
Day 9 - 11
On Day 9, we board one of the longest domestic flights of this itinerary, heading south from the highlands of Nyika to the golden shores of Lake Malawi. Your destination: The Makokola Retreat in Mangochi.
Here, you’ll be staying in the stunning double-story Sunset Villa, complete with a private infinity pool, room service, and all the comfort and luxury you’d expect from one of Malawi’s top lakefront properties.
After the cooler Nyika air, the warm lake breeze and barefoot beachside living will feel like a whole new world.
The Makokola Retreat is a beautifully crafted lakeside escape, where local design meets laid-back luxury. Rooms are tucked into lush gardens or right on the beach, offering a mix of privacy, comfort, and authentic Malawian charm.
The standout Sunset Villa features two levels, a private infinity pool, and sweeping lake views—ideal for couples or families with older kids. The Lake Suites are perfect for adults seeking peace and exclusivity, with their own infinity pool and bar area. For a more family-friendly option, the Superior Beach Rooms offer spacious, updated interiors just steps from the water.
Wherever you stay, expect warm hospitality, delicious locally inspired meals, and a setting that invites you to fully unwind by the lake.
Liwonde National Park
Day 11 - 13
Day 11 marks a shift in pace—today we leave the skies behind and hit the road. It's your chance to see Malawi from the ground and get a feel for daily life along the way. But don’t worry, we’re keeping travel time light.
The 3-hour scenic drive takes you along the Shire River, through small towns and lush landscapes, before reaching the edge of Liwonde National Park. From there, a short boat transfer glides you across the river to your next stay: Mvuu Lodge, a hidden gem where the wild meets the water.
Mvuu Lodge offers a beautifully immersive safari experience right on the banks of the Shire River. Tucked beneath towering trees and surrounded by wildlife, each of the spacious thatched tents blends comfort with nature—think king-sized beds, en-suite bathrooms, private decks, and uninterrupted views of the river or floodplains.
This is not your average safari camp. The lodge features a central dining and lounge area with a deck overlooking a frequently visited waterhole, a small pool for cooling off in the heat of the day, and attentive staff who ensure every detail is taken care of.
At Mvuu, you’re not just a guest—you’re part of the landscape. Expect hippos grunting nearby, elephants moving through the bush, and birdsong as your morning soundtrack. Whether you're here to relax, explore, or both, Mvuu Lodge delivers a classic bush escape with just the right amount of luxury.
Zomba
Day 13 - 15
On day 13 of the Remote Indulgence itinerary, we continue our journey with a scenic 2-hour road transfer to the charming town of Zomba. En route, we take a short detour to visit the Malape Pillars—a curious and beautiful geological formation created over time by natural erosion. These reddish sandstone spires rise dramatically from the surrounding ground, shaped by wind and rain into towering columns that seem almost otherworldly.
As we ascend the Zomba Plateau, we climb to nearly 1,800 meters above sea level, where Kuchawe Inn awaits. Perched right at the edge of the plateau, this elegant colonial-era inn offers panoramic views over Zomba town and the plains beyond—easily among the most breathtaking vistas in Malawi.
Sunbird Ku Chawe is Malawi’s premier mountain resort, offering an elevated blend of comfort, tranquillity, and breathtaking scenery. Perched dramatically on the rim of the Zomba Plateau, at nearly 2,200 metres above sea level, the lodge delivers some of the most spectacular views in all of Africa—from sweeping valleys to distant lakes and mist-covered hills.
The rooms are elegantly furnished, each with private balconies or terraces that take full advantage of the scenery. Expect lush gardens, crisp mountain air, and a sense of calm that makes this the perfect highland retreat.
The on-site restaurant and bar serve delicious meals and drinks, ideal for relaxed afternoons or cosy evenings by the fire.
Thyolo
Day 13 - 15
Day 15 marks our final road transfer as we head to the rolling hills of Thyolo, home to the historic Huntingdon House, nestled deep within Malawi’s most beautiful tea estates. Surrounded by vibrant greenery, misty mountain backdrops, and meandering walking trails, this is a serene and luxurious close to your journey.
Here, you can sip your way through a tea tasting experience, tour the coffee plantations, or simply relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Feeling adventurous? You may even opt for a day trip to hike Mount Mulanje, just a short drive away. It’s all possible in this southern slice of paradise—Malawi’s very own garden of Eden.
A stay at Huntingdon House is like stepping into a beautifully preserved chapter of Malawi’s colonial past. This elegant estate offers just five uniquely styled suites, each with its own story—formerly the family’s nursery, the parents’ rooms, the planters’ quarters, and even a private chapel. Every suite is spacious and full of charm, with clawfoot bathtubs, luxurious cotton linens, plush bathrobes, and thoughtful touches that make you feel right at home.
The rooms have been carefully decorated to reflect the heritage of this grand residence, with vintage details balanced by modern comfort. Whether you’re unwinding in a king-sized bed or soaking in a long bath after a day of walking through the tea fields, it’s the kind of place where time slows down and service feels personal. The staff are attentive but unobtrusive, happy to share stories of the house's past or just make sure your tea is always brewed just right.
Further to this itinerary
Final Day – After breakfast, we’ll transfer you to Blantyre International Airport, a smooth 2-hour drive through the heart of Malawi’s lush southern region.
From here, you can catch your outbound flight, extend your journey into South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, or explore more of Malawi if you’re not ready to say goodbye just yet. We're happy to adjust this itinerary to fit your interests, pace, and travel goals.
🧭 Suitable for all ages and for groups of up to 16 people.
✉️ Want a tailor-made itinerary? Email us at expeditions@kumbali.com and we’ll build your dream journey.