Malawi & Zambia 2025

We knew it was going to be a long day (and night and day) and to comfort myself I was calculating how long it would have taken me in the 18th century to travel by sea, horse and foot to get from NZ to South Africa – 32 days by Sea | Auckland to Cape Town | and then another 14 days | Cape Town to Johannesburg | all up maybe 2 months.

We transited through Dubai and it was a wonderful to arrive in Johannesburg and know the long haul was over. The moment we arrived I was waiting for the singing – and there it was; as people were greeted by their loved ones.

Sadly our bags were not there to meet us so it was off to the Lost Luggage office and after two hours we were reunited with our clothes. As we wandered the airport another group of singers appeared, I think they were a church choir; they were walking through the halls cheering weary passengers with their uplifting voices – magical to a tired Mrs Page. Happy days, Hot shower and lie down made a new woman of me.

Woke to a cloudy day and that wonderful sense of excitement when you know there is an adventure ahead. Today was going to be a smooth day and it started well – great breakfast at the City Lodge and a quick trot over the Departures ( barely a 6 minutes walk). Check-in was easy and we were on through to Departures. I found an image of Nelson Mandala, zebras without bodies and lots of souvenirs.

Quick flight to Blantyre and we were there!! Malawi, one of the smaller African nations with huge potential. We walked across the tarmac to the Arrival Hall and were immediately aware we were in a less visited more rustic country, There were lots of Africans in the airport but most were in groups and I wasn’t too sure who was who. Anyway we got pass the rickety old furniture and relaxed procedure, found our bags and found our guide.

The area outside the airport building was crazy with loosely parked cars, red dust and many people. Thank goodness Christopher Lingokege was there to meet us as it was all colour and noise and chaos. It was also cold, 15c and wet. Christopher is a very calm man and he took care to welcome us to his country, present us with water bottles and wine. Next stop was an ATM; however there was no money in the machine so it as on to our rest place for the next few nights, Game Haven Lodge.

We had met a doctor in the departure area who lives and works in Blantyre, an American researcher into malaria and its pathogens. This delightful man had lots of tips about Malawi and obviously loved the place. He suggested Game Haven would be a soft entry to the wildlife; we shall see.

Our cottage was exactly that, a wee English cottage looking out over grasslands Dinner was delicious and it an early night for the exhausted Pages.

As planned we had a day to recover from the journey to Malawi. Not people to lie around all day we organised ourselves on to a game drive in the morning and a walk in the afternoon.

In Africa the tarseal quickly disappears and a rough track which only 4-wheel drives can use come into play… the driver called it the African massage as we bumped over stones and rocks, into pot holes and out again. Simon, our driver was a merry soul and made many jokes as we went in search of wildlife. The first animals were a herd of zebras (this time zebras with bodies) intermingled with Eland. Apparently, zebras are short sighted so the two co-exist to help each other.

It was surprising how close we could get to the animals here in Game Haven, no doubt due to the absence of any predators; the wandering animals were not fussed by the Land Rover or us.

As the morning progressed the clouds and rain faded and the warm African sun we had been expecting came to the forefront. Simon dropped us at the lodge where we enjoyed the fire and coffee before lunch. The waiter at lunch was amazed we only wanted one dish – he almost demanded we try all three courses – however one course was enough.

In the afternoon we walked around the park with another guide and this time we could get close to the grasses, butterflys, dragonflies, ants and trees – most enjoyable. Oddly enough we were tired after our long walk, so it was back to camp and time to research Dr David Livingstone (who visited Malawi on his last journey in search of the Nile source), the GDP of Malawi and some reading on the living situation of the majority of the population. Who knew Malawi is the 190th poorest country in the world with the average person only earning US$500 pa? I also discovered Livingstone wanted to find the source of the Nile so he would have the prestige to talk out against slavery.