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This is the wild side: a place where the passage of time is measured only by the cycle of the seasons…where there are still footpaths, not highways…where fishermen still use magnificent dugout canoes and nothing is motorized…where tiny villages are indomitable against the force of time. This is the Africa of two hundred years ago.

A waterborne safari is the only means of venturing into this lost world. With Joe, you’ll paddle a kayak and beach-hop some 160 miles up the coast from Cape Maclear, headquarters of Lake Malawi National Park, to Likoma Island, camping on deserted beaches and idyllic tropical islands and ending the trip with a stay at the elegant Kaya Mawa Lodge on Likoma Island. Half of the trip is in Mozambique territory, where the forested rim of the African Rift Valley rises out of the sparkling blue waters of the lake. Lake Malawi National Park has been designated a World Heritage Site and protects several hundred species of fish, most of which are endemic.

This exciting sea kayaking expedition is suitable for any active person in good health that has some previous kayaking experience. A support boat carries the equipment and provisions necessary to ensure an adequate level of comfort, and provides backup to paddlers in the event of illness, injury, fatigue, or emergency. The boat will also transport the group over the longer legs of the journey.

This trip has been discontinued. Please call one of MTSobek’s travel experts at 888-831-7526 to learn about similar trips currently offered.

Day 1, Oct 4 ~ Meet in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Day 2, Oct 5 ~ Fly to Lilongwe, Malawi, and transfer to our departure spot overlooking Lake Malawi at Cape Maclear, the headquarters of Lake Malawi National Park. After a safety briefing, we’ll grab a kayak and paddle out to Domwe Island Camp.

Day 3, Oct 6 ~ Kayak five miles to Mumbo Island, the undisputed jewel of Lake Malawi National Park and site of our second island camp.

Day 4, Oct 7 ~ Cross from Mumbo Island to Makanjila Point on the eastern shore of the lake. Due to the distance (25 miles) and time required, we’ll make the crossing by boat.

Day 5, Oct 8 ~ A day of true coastal exploration as we head to the deserted beach at Missalo. We will cover the distance through a combination of kayaking and boating.

Days 6-8, Oct 9-11 ~ By now we’ll have settled into the local rhythm and pace, moving under our own steam by kayak or on foot—our watches largely irrelevant—as we head for the small protected bay at Messumba.

Days 9-10, Oct 12-13 ~ Paddle to Ngo Bay, an incredibly calm and beautiful spot that offers very relaxed kayaking.

Days 11-13, Oct 14-16 ~ Continue to Likoma Island where we enter Malawi again. Head to the southern tip of the island and Kaya Mawa Lodge, an elegant island retreat at the head of a crescent-shaped bay. Layover day to swim, snorkel, or just relax.

Day 14, Oct 17 ~ Charter flight from Likoma Island to Lilongwe International Airport, where you will connect with your late afternoon flight to Johannesburg, arriving around 7:00 p.m. Depart on homeward-bound flights.

Photo Credits
©MTS Photo File