Animal Tracks Adventure Tours to Madagascar, Reunion, Malawi and Africa

2012 Departure Dates

Code	Starting	Ending
MZS 3/12	18 March	01 April
MZS 4/12	01 April	15 April
MZS 5/12	29 April	13 May
MZS 6/12	03 June	17 June
MZS 7/12	01 July	15 July
MZS 8/12	29 July	12 August
MZS 9/12	26 August	09 Sept
MZS 10/12	30 Sept	14 Oct
MZS 11/12	11 Nov	25 Nov
MZS 12/12	02 Dec	16 Dec

PRICE PER PERSON SHARING USD 2495 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT USD 210

Arrive Lilongwe. Transfer from Airport to Lodge. Your guide will meet everyone at the Lodge for introductions and a tour briefing at 18H00, after the briefing dinner will be served. Land and Lake will arrange airport transfers on this day as and when needed.

After last minute arrangements and shopping, depart for Dzalanyama Forest. We drive South East from Lilongwe to Dzalanyama mountain range – Its about a 2 hr drive – Arrive at the Forest Lodge in time for Lunch. After Lunch a walk up Mtsongololo Mountain. The track takes us through the endemic forests where there is a profusion of miombo birdlife. Return back to the lodge as it gets dark.

After breakfast we visit the local school where or project will take place. This is geared towards what the school requires. Dzalanyama school has been the recipient of Land and Lakes charitable interests since they won the concession to operate the lodge in the area. Included in your tour fare, is a financial donation to the school to pay for this project work and to assist them with whatever they need, be it painting work, repairs, replacement of school materials etc. Land and Lake Safaris office will co-ordinate this aspect and your guide will indicate what needs to be done and achieved in the day. Return to the Lodge after project work.

Depart from the Lodge at approx 0900 and Continue to Mchinji. [1&1/2 hr drive], where we complete immigration formalities and continue into Zambia. From the border it is a short drive to Chipata - Zambia's capital of the Eastern Province, then onto a dirt road to Luangwa Valley - Mfuwe sector. A picnic lunch is enjoyed en route and ETA at the Camp is mid afternoon. Here we stay at the Thornicroft tented campsite – This is a basic campsite with shared ablution facilities. On arrival and after checking in, there is time to relax around the bar, have a swim or enjoy tea and coffee overlooking the Lagoon. Evening dinner.

After an early morning wake up call, we have a light breakfast of tea / coffee, cereal/porridge and toast with preserves, then depart for the game drive. Our aim is to be on our first game drive by 6.15 am. Game drives are done in the camps open safari vehicles, to optimise your pleasure and experience. Drinks and snacks are taken along for your enjoyment whilst in the park. Depending on game sightings, we return to the lodge at 11 for a scrumptious "brunch". An afternoon rest then we again head out for our afternoon drive at around 1600 - returning to the lodge at 2000. Evening Dinner [Night drive – Luangwa is renowned for the night drives and this is INCLUDED in your safari. - a powerful spotlight is used to spot nocturnal creatures that frequent this habitat.]

After a more leisurely start to the morning and a good breakfast, we pack up and depart back to Malawi. Departure time is around 0900. Travel via Lilongwe again and continue Southwards to Dedza. A picnic lunch is eaten en route and arrival time at Dedza Pottery Lodge is mid afternoon. Depending on the time of arrival, the remainder of the day can be spent in the pottery factory perhaps trying your hand at creating your own pot, or we can visit the nearby local ancient bushman painting site.

Morning tour of the pottery workshop if needed, then depart for Mulanje via Blantyre. Our journey from Blantyre takes us past the scenic Thyolo Tea plantations, then onto the plains. Arrival at the chalets is late afternoon.

For the hikers, it’s a 7 hr climb up the mountain to a mountain hut. The scenery is stunning, following a stream up the mountain. Hiking is within the abilities of a reasonably fit walker. Spend the night in the mountain hut. For non hikers it’s a day of exploration. Visit the lower slopes or take a short hike into one of the fascinating valleys at the foothills.

The hikers walk down the mountain in the early morning, to arrive back at the lodge for breakfast. After this, we depart and drive to Lake Malawi - Cape Maclear. En route we pass the historical Mangochi town and follow the lakeshore northwards. Cape Maclear peninsula, hosts on one end, the Lake Malawi Marine National park. This was the first fresh water Marine park created in the world. Here we stay in chalets that are right on the beach.

After breakfast, we transfer to Kayak Africa Base camp and here we are familiarized with the kayaks and equipment. The protected waters of the National Park bring sea kayaking within reach of anyone, irrespective of fitness or experience. The two-person kayaks are large and stable, and the guides are local residents with an intimate knowledge of the area. Guests with a sense of adventure have the option of kayaking out to Domwe Island from reception on the beach accompanied by a Kayak guide. Those not wanting to kayak out to the island, will be transferred by boat. The remainder of the day is your own to explore the island on foot, by kayak , [snorkeling equipment can be hired to] explore the underwater wonders or simply relax on the beach whilst enjoying refreshing drinks served ice cold from the bar.

Overnight at Domwe Island camp – tents with shared ablutions. All meals provided.

After a very leisurely start to the day with breakfast and a swim we paddle or transfer by boat back to the mainland. Arrival on the mainland is before lunch. Transfer back to the lodge. The remainder of day is spent either exploring Cape Maclear village, enjoying a sunset sundowner sail or relaxing on the beach.

After saying farewells at Cape Maclear, its an approx 3 hr drive to Mua Mission Cultural centre. On arrival we visit the cultural museum and craft workshop. Mua Mission is the Ngoni cultural epicenter in Malawi and the mission station has encouraged a unique and fascinating art style. Local artists practice on site and a visit here gives visitors valuable in site to the culture of the people. There is s possibility to watch a cultural dance in the evening, however this depends on numbers.

It’s a 3 hr drive from the centre to Lilongwe and the Airport. Departure is timed to co-inside with your international flight or onward journey. Breakfast

Accommodation, services of vehicle and guide throughout, all meals and activities as indicated in itinerary, game drives in Luangwa, hiking guide on Mount Mulanje, entrance fees to Mua mission museum & Lake Malawi park.

Flights, Drinks, Visas [Zambian $50], lunches at the lake, optional activities not indicated above, travel / medical insurance, tips, South Luangwa park entrance fees [US$75 pp].