Together Women Rise: Journey to Malawi
June 8th – 17th, 2022

Malawi has been affectionately dubbed “the warm heart of Africa.” This small country boasts unspoiled beauty, and is one of the easiest countries in which to combine ‘bush and beach’. Malawi also has another story to tell – one of welcoming and age-old culture, tradition, and crafts. On this once-in-a-lifetime journey with Together Women Rise, you’ll have the opportunity to witness first-hand the reach of Together Women Rise’s work, from sustainable and efficient stone cookstoves, to after-school programs for girls, to much-needed health outposts.

Your journey will begin and end on Malawi’s most coveted feature, Lake Malawi, which is characterized by perfectly clear waters and an abundance of tropical freshwater fish. The trip will commence with an unforgettable two-day visit with Together Women Rise Grantee, RIPPLE Africa, where you’ll be immersed in the day-to-day life of the local community with a pristine backdrop of Mwaya Beach on the northern tip of the lake. Your trip will come to a close in Liwonde National Park, a once-in-a-lifetime destination for all wildlife lovers, nestled in the southern tip of the pristine lake.

HIGHLIGHTS:

During this 10-day journey, you will experience Malawian culture and natural beauty, learning alongside three of Together Women Rise’s inspiring grantees. This incredible journey will offer travelers the opportunity to:

• Discover the warmth of Malawian culture and its vast landscape by exploring different regions of the country, visiting vibrant markets, and connecting with locals.
• Visit three of Together Women Rise’s grantees – Ripple Africa, GAIA Global Health, and Advancing Girls’ Education in Africa ( Age Africa) – and experience their work, firsthand.
• Spend two days on Lake Malawi at the breathtaking Mvuu Camp. Mvuu means “Hippo” in Chewa, and after a day at this camp, nestled in the heart of the awe-inspiring Liwonde National Park, you’ll understand why it was named for these amazing creatures.

ITINERARY:

Day 1 – Wednesday, June 8 – International Arrivals

Welcome to Lilongwe! Malawi’s capital city. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by a representative at the airport and transferred to Kumbali Country Lodge. Situated on a 650-hectare forest reserve and dairy farm, you’ll feel far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city.

In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers and learn about the exciting days to come.

Note: It is a long journey to Malawi (approximately 15+ hrs from the East Coast). For those who would like to arrive a day early to settle in and rest up, we would be happy to arrange a pre-trip night at the lodge.

Overnight: Kumbali Country Lodge

Day 2 – Thursday, June 9 – Ripple Africa Visit (Mwaya Beach)

In the morning, you’ll commence the drive to Ripple Africa (approximately 4 hrs). Along the way, the group will stop for lunch and take breaks for stretching and scenery views.

In the late afternoon, the group will arrive at Ripple Africa, where you will be greeted by and enjoy dinner with the staff and some of the local community members. Ripple Africa works to achieve a sustainable future through multiple, community-led projects in a concentrated area. By providing those they work with the tools to live not only more sustainably, but self-sufficiently, they ensure that local communities have a positive future.

Overnight: Kachere Kastle

Day 3 – Friday, June 10 – Ripple Africa Visit (Mwaya Beach)

Today will be a full day with Ripple Africa! Morning activities and visits will include visiting Ripple Africa pre-schools and enjoying a typical Malawian lunch with a host family cooked on a Changu Changu Moto fuel-efficient cookstove. Through its grants, Together Women Rise has helped to bring the Changu Changu Moto cookstove to thousands of households in Malawi. Afterward, you will visit a family who does not yet have a cookstove, or needs a new one, and will have the opportunity to help them build it. The day will conclude with a visit to Ripple Africa’s Tree Nursery before convening for drinks on the beach before dinner. To celebrate its 500th chapter, Together Women Rise partnered with Ripple Africa to plant 500 trees in Malawi.

Overnight: Kachere Kastle

Day 4 – Saturday, June 11- Travel to Blantyre

In the morning, the group will bid farewell to the Ripple Africa staff and community and head back to the airport in Lilongwe (approximately a 4 hr drive). The group will board a 4:30 PM flight to Blantyre (approximate flight time is 40 min – 1 hr). Upon arrival, you will transfer to Leslie Lodge for an early dinner and restful evening.

Overnight: Leslie Lodge

Day 5 – Sunday, June 12 – Sightseeing in Blantyre

After a long day of travel, the group will have a day off from site visits to do some sightseeing in Blantyre. Blantyre is one of the oldest urban centres in East, Central and Southern Africa and prides itself as having the longest historic and cultural heritage in the region. The city is host to Malawi’s up-and-coming artisans, fashion designers, and dancers. This day of sightseeing will include a stop at The Cathedral of St Michael’s and All Angels, The Mandala House, Limbe Market, and lunch at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Leslie Lodge

Day 6 – Monday, June 13 – GAIA Global Health Visit (Blantyre)

Today you’ll learn more about Together Women Rise’s grantee, GAIA Global Health, an organization that implements programs to eliminate HIV and other needlessly life-threatening diseases by building healthcare capacity and delivering medical services. Today, you’ll have the opportunity to visit one of the mobile clinics just outside of Blantyre city limits. From there, the group will head to Zomba, a city at the foot of the Zomba Plateau, which has forest trails, waterfalls and sweeping views over the surrounding plains. The city also boasts impressive colonial architecture. For those who are interested, we can arrange an optional evening tour of Zomba Town.

Overnight: Sunbird KuChawe Inn

Day 7 – Tuesday, June 14 – AGE Africa Visit (Zomba)

Today the group will visit an AGE Africa school near Zomba Town. AGE Africa’s mission is to provide life-changing opportunities to young women in Malawi through targeted initiatives in education, mentoring, and leadership development. The group will have the opportunity to witness AGE Africa’s work in action by visiting the girls in their classrooms and after school programs.

Overnight: Sunbird KuChawe Inn

Day 8 – Wednesday, June 15 – Liwonde National Park

After a full week, it’s time for some R&R and breathtaking sightseeing. In the morning, the group will head to Mvuu Camp (approximately 3.5 hr drive), nestled in along the Shire River in Liwonde National Park. Liwonde is Malawi’s most popular national park. The tranquil Shire River, Lake Malawi’s only outlet running through the park, is a great spot for boat safaris. Within your first night at Mvuu Camp, you’ll learn that its location on the riverfront means you don’t have to leave your room to start your wildlife sightings!

Overnight: Mvuu Camp

Day 9 – Thursday, June 16 – Liwonde National Park

Today will consist of a full day of safari – both on land and on the lake! Mvuu is a haven for Malawi wildlife – from the plentiful crocs and hippos on the banks of the river to the large herds of elephants, antelope and newly introduced black rhino, cheetah and lion! Today, you can partake in a range of activities such as classic game drives, immerse yourself in the bush on an exciting safari walk, tracking the animals on foot, and watch the sun go down on a gentle boating safari. The safari on the river is a really great way to spend the day with some excellent birding and the chance to see the animals from a different angle up close. Each activity is an excellent opportunity to see the park’s wildlife up close and personal and with some exceptional guides. You are sure to see some truly special sightings.

Overnight: Mvuu Camp

Day 10 – Friday, June 17 – International Departures

Today the group will depart and head back to Blantyre (3 hr drive) for international departures. For those who are departing later in the evening, day rooms can be arranged upon request.

Note: The group will traveling back to Blantyre from Mvuu lodge as a group. Therefore, it is important that all travelers book international flights that depart no earlier than 5 pm Malawi time. 

For more information about this incredible journey to Malawi with Together Women Rise, be sure to visit the following pages:

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Pre-Departure Information
In-Country Information
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