Join me on an epic adventure, spanning 3 amazing countries – Zambia, Botswana and Malawi! I can’t even begin to describe how magical this trip is, but let me try…
Let me show you a different side of Africa, not the Africa you see in the media but the adventurous, beautiful, wild and real Africa I know and love.
Zambia, Malawi and Botswana are my 3 favourite countries in Africa, equally as amazing as the more well known safari destinations, if not better! Each of these countries are very safe for a traveller, have epic wildlife spotting opportunities, stunning landscapes and incredibly friendly people! I can’t wait to show you around!
Rock My Adventure is a small group Africa tour company for solo travellers, groups of friends and couples alike and for those who want to pack a lot into their limited (and precious) time.
The tours are culturally immersive trips created by me to show you a rounded portrayal of the countries we visit and leave you with a new group of like-minded friends and beautiful memories that will last a lifetime.
I work with the best local operators to provide you with the highly personalised African adventure you’ve always dreamed of but without the hassle of planning it all yourself!
Rock My Adventures aren’t typical ”˜tours’. They’re fun, laid-back group trips, with an awesome, action-packed itinerary, but with some free time to explore and do your own thing and a group of friends built in ”“ the best of both worlds!
Read more about Rock My Adventure here or take a look at our FAQ’s page to see what we’re all about!
Essential Info
- Duration: 15 Nights
- Start: Lilongwe, Malawi (nearest airport – Lilongwe International Airport)
- Finish: Livingstone, Zambia (nearest airport -Â Harry Mwanga Nkumbula Airport)
- Maximum Group Size:Â 10 people
- Minimum Age: 18
- Cost 2018: £2,095
- Cost 2019: £1,895 + $1,000* (local payment paid on arrival)
- Deposit: £200 (non-refundable, included in total cost above)
* The local payment is a portion of your overall tour cost paid on arrival to your tour leader in UD Dollars. This includes the on tour expenses that we cannot pay prior to arrival, such as national park entry fees, food, local transport and some activities.
Dates Available
-
21 July – 5 August 2019* (You can combine this tour with the Rock My Zambia, Botswana & Namibia Adventure COMING SOON and the Rock My Namibia Adventure)
-
30 September – 15 October 2019
You can find full Terms & Conditions here.
Week 1 Highlights
- Explore Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe.
- Relax and enjoy the fabulous sunsets on the beautiful beaches of Cape Maclear.
- Get a real feel for local Malawian village life in the Cape Maclear.
- Swim, snorkel (or scuba dive) and look for beautifully colourful cichlid fish in the crystal clear waters of Lake Malawi, home to more species of freshwater fish than any other lake in the world.
- Visit a local pre-school.
- Kayak and stand up paddle board on Lake Malawi.
- Spend the night on our own private Swiss Family Robinson style island.
- Take a sundowner cruise on Lake Malawi.
- Explore Malawi’s fun capital, Lilongwe.
- Go on safari in my favourite safari destination in Africa, South Luangwa.
- Enjoy our fabulous safari lodge which lies right on the Luangwa River and often elephants, hippo and other animals casually wander into camp.
- Visit the local village near to our camp in South Luangwa and our friendly local guides will show you what it’s like to live in a village in rural Zambia. You may even get a chance to do some cooking!
- Experience the nightlife in Zambia’s modern capital, Lusaka.
Week 2 Highlights
- See the wonder that is the Victoria Falls! You will have the option to visit both the Zambian and Zimbabwe side of the falls!
- Take afternoon tea at the Royal Livingstone and look for the giraffe, zebra and impala that wonder the grounds of the hotel.
- Spot hundreds and hundreds of elephants (and lots of other animals) at Chobe National Park in Botswana, just a 45 minute drive from Livingstone, Zambia.
- Take a boat ride in Chobe for more chances to spot your favourite safari animals.
- Sample the awesome Livingstone nightlife.
- Take part in some of the amazing activities on offer in Livingstone (the adventure capital of Africa) including, microlights, the Angels Pool, bungee jumping, gorge swinging, zip lining, white water rafting, kayaking and canoeing.
- Visit a local market and shop for beautifully bright African fabrics and get clothes made by a local seamstress.
- Â Chill by the pool at our gorgeous hostel in Livingstone.
- Take a cycling tour around Livingstone with a wonderful social enterprise. You will get to see a side of Livingstone that few tourists ever get to see.
- Take a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River where you are likely to see animals such as elephant and hippo.
”œYou showed me ”œAfrica” the real Africa, the people, the villages, the wildlife! I didn’t want hotels, complexes, swimming pools! I want to see the world, the real world, how other people live, the real Africa!! I got the whole package, the reality, the beauty, the wonder! You left me wanting more and eager that see more of what the amazing Africa has to offer! Second trip with you! I keep coming back so clearly I enjoy them!” (Karen, UK – Rock My Rwanda, Uganda & DRC Adventure 2017 & Rock My Kenya Adventure 2016)Â
Zambia, Malawi & Botswana Tour 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 and I can’t wait to show you around my favourite countries in Africa!
* Â If you have the time and can arrive earlier, I can organise any other activities you wish to do. Additional accommodation and activities charged separately.
Meals Included:Â Dinner
Day 2: Lilongwe
We’ll have a pretty relaxed day today exploring Malawi’s capital city and getting on Malawi time! We’ll explore some of the sights in the city and learn about the history of Malawi, the various cultures/traditions and visit local markets as well as enjoy a local lunch!
Meals Included:Â Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Cape Maclear, Malawi
In the morning, we’ll make our way out of the city and head towards Cape Maclear (Chembe village) on the shores of Lake Malawi.
Lake Malawi is the world’s biggest fresh water lake and is so big, it actually looks like the ocean. At night, the fishermen use lanterns which twinkle on the water and are the reason the lake became known as the ”˜Lake of Stars’.
In the afternoon, you can have a go at stand up paddle boarding or kayaking or just relax on the beach.
Cape Maclear is a magical place where anything can happen! 😉
Meals Included:Â Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Cape Maclear, Malawi
Today is a free day to take part in the activity of your choice. You will have the opportunity to explore the area and get a glimpse into life in the ”˜Warm Heart of Africa’. Those who want to, can take part in a whole number of activities including snorkelling, cycling, hiking, canoeing, beach volleyball.
The lake is famous for having the best fresh water scuba diving in the world and is home to more species of freshwater fish than any other lake in the entire world (including some you won’t find anywhere else) and with it being part of the Great Rift Valley, you’ll also be treated to some spectacular underwater scenery too.
In the evening, we’ll take a sunset cruise out on the lake.
Meals Included:Â Breakfast
Day 5: Domwe Island, Malawi
On our last day at Lake Malawi, we’ll kayak over to our very own deserted island.
Here we’ll enjoy a braai (bbq cooked by our own private chef), a campfire right on the beach and spend the night in true Swiss Family Robinson style.
At night we can watch the fishing boats twinkling in the water and the stars twinkling overhead.
This is one of my favourite things that I’ve ever done in Africa, so I know you’re going to love it!
Meals Included:Â Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: 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 some time for shopping (Lilongwe is a great place to buy fabric, art and wooden carvings) and we can have a little wander around the city.
In the evening, we’ll go for a delicious meal at one of my favourite restaurants and those who want to can sample the Lilongwe nightlife!
Meals Included:Â Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
We’ll spend the next 3 days in gorgeous South Luangwa National Park, my absolute favourite safari destination in all of Africa!
South Luangwa is one of the best places in Africa to see the ”˜Big Five’ and as it’s one of the only game parks in Africa where you are able to do evening game drives, there’s a good chance you may spot leopards.
We’ll be staying right on the banks of the Luangwa River, just outside the park gate, and 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!
Meals Included:Â Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8:Â South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
We’ll go on morning and afternoon/evening game drive today to try and spot all our favourite safari animals.
South Luangwa is my favourite, 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 a swim in the pool to cool down.
Those who want to can upgrade to an afternoon walking safari in South Luangwa (additional cost).
Meals Included:Â Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9:Â South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
In the morning, we’ll visit the local village to experience life in rural Zambia.
Our local guides will show us around, tell us about their way of life, customs and you may even get to try your hand at cooking.
Get ready for some real Zambian hospitality.
In the afternoon we’ll head out on our last safari and fingers crossed that we may spot a leopard, one of the animals that South Luangwa is famous for!
If there’s availability, you’ll have the option to skip the afternoon safari and go on a walking safari (* at an additional cost)!
Meals Included:Â Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Lusaka, Zambia
Today is a drive day as we head away from the bush, down to Zambia’s 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.
When we arrive, we’ll have a night to rest in our guest house, before we continue our journey down to Livingstone the following day.
Lusaka is a good place to party too, so if you have some energy, the city awaits!
Meals Included:Â Breakfast
Day 11: Livingstone, Zambia
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 my favourite place in all of Africa. Yes, really!
The afternoon will be free to relax or if we arrive in time, you can get dressed up and head to the Royal Livingstone for Afternoon High Tea and those who want to can stay on to enjoy cocktails on the deck, overlooking the Zambezi River at sunset. Pure bliss!!
Often you’ll find zebra and giraffe strolling through the hotel and hippo and elephants can sometimes be seen in the water.
Meals Included:Â Breakfast, Afternoon Tea*
* Afternoon tea is included in the 2018 trips only.
Day 12: Chobe National Park, Botswana
In the morning we’ll take the short trip across the border to Botswana to the amazing Chobe National Park, home to up to 120,000 elephants!
We’ll start with 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, our cook will prepare an awesome dinner and we will spend the night chatting round the camp fire and listening to the sounds of the African bush.
You will love this experience!
Meals Included:Â Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Livingstone, Zambia
After breakfast, we’ll head back to Livingstone where we’ll spend our last few days together.
In the afternoon we’ll visit Victoria Falls from the Zambian side and you’ll have the option to see them from the Zimbabwean side too should you wish (additional charge).
At this time of year, the falls are at their best, not too full that you can’t get close, but full enough so that they are still in full flow!
In the evening, we’ll head to a great local restaurant for dinner and drinks.
Meals Included:Â Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14: Livingstone, Zambia
This is a completely free day so that you can enjoy some activities that Livingstone has to offer.
These include white water rafting, swimming in ”˜Angel’s Pool, microlighting over the falls, bungee jumping and jet boating (to name but a few)!
Or, if you’re feeling slightly less adventurous you may just want to chill by the pool, get clothes made or visit a local market ”“ it’s up to you!
I will help sort out any activities you wish to do!
For a list of current activities click here.
Meals Included:Â None
Day 15: Livingstone, Zambia
In the morning, we’ll take a cycling tour with a local social enterprise, venturing into the villages that surround the main part of town, where we can meet the people who live there and go to places most other tourists don’t go.
In the afternoon there will be some free time to relax by the pool or do a bit of last minute shopping, before we say goodbye over a light dinner and drinks on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
Meals Included:Â Dinner
Day 16:Â Departure Day
Today is always a sad day as we say goodbye to our new friends (there’s usually a few tears, I will warn you), but the memories and shared experiences will last a lifetime.
I can arrange the transfer to Livingstone Airport or you can continue your Africa travels from there.
Meals Included:Â None
What’s Included
- Meals:
- 2018 Tour: 11 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 1 afternoon tea and 10 dinners.
- 2019 Tour: 12 breakfasts 6 lunches and 11 dinners.
- Accommodation:Â 14 nights (15 nights in 2019) accommodation in good quality safari camps, hostels, hotels and guesthouses. Usually 2 – 4 people per room.
- Transport: All transport within Malawi, Zambia & Botswana to and from included excursions and between the main destinations on the tour (includes ”“ taxi, boat, mini bus, safari vehicle).
- Activities:Â
- Lilongwe city tour
- Overnight stay on a tropical island
- Sundowner boat cruise on Lake Malawi
- 2-day safari in South Luangwa National Park
- Walking tour of Mfuwe village
- Afternoon tea at the Royal Livingstone (2018 trip only)
- Overnight camping trip to Chobe National Park
- Game drive in Chobe National Park
- Boat cruise in Chobe National Park
- Local market excursion in Livingstone
- Victoria Falls visit from the Zambian side
- Cycling tour of Livingstone
- Sunset cruise on the Zambezi
What’s Not Included
- Flights.
- Airport transfers – however I can arrange these for you.
- Visas.
- Medications, antimalarials or vaccinations.
- Travel/health insurance.
- Drinks & meals not mentioned.
- Optional activities.
- Transport for optional activities.
- Tips for local guides.
Please bear in mind that the itinerary is subject to minor changes. But whatever happens, I’ll endeavour to make sure you have an amazing trip!!
You can find full Terms & Conditions here.
Here’s what you can expect on a Rock My Adventure tour…
Testimonials
Wondering what it’s like to come on a Rock My Malawi, Zambia & Botswana Adventure trip? Here’s what others have to say!
Rock My Malawi, Zambia & Botswana Adventure ”“ 2018
”œHelen 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 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. I can’t wait to return to Africa! But how do I decide which Rock My Adventure tour to go on next?” (Annie, USA)
”œThis trip was amazing! I didn’t think that 8 random strangers could become so dear so quickly. I felt very lucky with the people who came on this trip, as I felt comfortable within a few hours. Helen has magic skills to make everybody feel at ease, comfortable and like they can be themselves. What’s not to love about this tour? And as a bonus: you make amazing friends too!” (Ingeborg, The Netherlands)
I want you to… Rock My Adventure
To reserve your spot on this exciting trip or if you have any questions, please send me an email using the form below! Don’t fancy this trip? Check out the other Rock My Adventure tours!
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