A Journey Through Art, Enterprise
& Empowerment in Zambia and Malawi
A purpose-driven journey through conservation landscapes and creative communities
10
DAYS
3
DESTINATIONS
5
BIOMES
Wild Waters & Creative Frontiers: Zambia and Malawi in Motion
A 10-day journey through Victoria Falls, South Luangwa and Lake Malawi, exploring the people and places shaping a regenerative future
This 10-day journey traces a powerful arc across southern Africa – from the banks of the Zambezi to the wild heart of the Luangwa Valley and onward to the luminous waters of Lake Malawi. It is a carefully curated exploration of place and purpose, where extraordinary landscapes are experienced alongside the individuals and initiatives shaping their future.
Begin in Livingstone, gateway to Victoria Falls, where the force of nature sets a dramatic opening scene. Alongside time at the falls, engage with inspiring women-led enterprises that reveal how creativity and entrepreneurship are driving meaningful change within local communities.
Continue to South Luangwa National Park, one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife sanctuaries and the birthplace of the walking safari. Here, days are spent tracking leopard and lion, exploring on foot with expert guides, and meeting artisans and educators whose work ensures conservation and community progress move hand in hand.
The journey concludes on the shores of Lake Malawi, where island life offers space to slow down and reflect. Sustainable design studios, freshwater snorkelling and renewable-energy-led hospitality provide a gentle yet purposeful finale.
Trip Highlights
Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River
Witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of Mosi-oa-Tunya (“The Smoke That Thunders”) from Livingstone Island itself. Cruise the Zambezi at sunset, explore riverbanks alive with elephants and hippos, and experience one of the world’s great natural wonders from a privileged perspective.
Women-Led Social Enterprises in Livingstone
Meet the inspiring women behind Wayawaya and the Sishemo Project, where ethical fashion and recycled glass jewellery are transforming livelihoods. These visits offer personal insight into creativity as a tool for empowerment and resilience.
Walking Safaris in South Luangwa
Explore one of Africa’s most wildlife-rich ecosystems on foot, where walking safaris were first pioneered. Track leopard, lion and wild dog alongside expert guides, experiencing the bush with heightened awareness and intimacy.
Conservation Through Craft
Visit Mulberry Mongoose, Tribal Textiles and Project Luangwa, three initiatives that merge artistry with impact. From jewellery made from confiscated poacher snares to hand-painted textiles and education programmes, these encounters reveal how tourism can actively support conservation and community.
Lake Malawi and Island Sustainability
Conclude on Likoma Island, where freshwater clarity meets community-driven enterprise. Visit Katundu Workshop to see sustainable craftsmanship in action and unwind on the shores of one of Africa’s most beautiful lakes, where conservation, renewable energy and ethical tourism shape the experience.
Activities tailored for all experiences
Cultural and Social Enterprise Visits
Engage directly with women-led businesses, artisan workshops and education initiatives. These experiences offer intimate conversations with founders and makers, providing insight into how creativity fuels economic independence and environmental stewardship.
Expert-Led Safari Experiences
Explore South Luangwa through game drives and pioneering walking safaris. Silent electric vehicles and deeply knowledgeable guides allow for immersive wildlife encounters shaped by respect for the landscape.
River and Water-Based Adventures
Cruise the Zambezi at sunset, visit Livingstone Island at the edge of Victoria Falls and snorkel among vibrant cichlid fish in Lake Malawi’s crystalline waters.
Community and Education Engagement
Visit schools supported by Project Luangwa and learn how tourism directly contributes to gender equality, literacy and long-term community resilience.
Sustainable Island Exploration
Kayak, snorkel or cycle across Likoma Island, where renewable energy, ethical trade and local craftsmanship underpin a model of low-impact, regenerative hospitality.
Your Journey Overview
Arrival on the Banks of the Zambezi
An immersive journey through Zambia and Malawi that weaves together wilderness, artistry and enterprise. From the thundering spray of Victoria Falls to the leopard-rich valleys of South Luangwa and the tranquil shores of Lake Malawi, this experience explores the profound intersection of conservation, creativity and community empowerment.
This is not simply a safari, nor solely a cultural immersion. It is a journey into the makers of impact: the women transforming discarded glass into jewellery in Livingstone, the artisans turning snare wire into symbols of conservation in South Luangwa and the craftspeople of Likoma Island shaping sustainable design from recycled materials.
Across riverbanks, national parks and freshwater shores, you will encounter both iconic African landscapes and the people redefining what regenerative travel looks like in practice. Wildlife, art, enterprise and education come together to reveal a deeper story – one where purpose and place are inseparable.
Arrival on the Banks of the Zambezi
Arrive in Livingstone, the vibrant gateway to Zambia’s side of Victoria Falls, where the Zambezi River gathers itself before plunging 108 metres into the gorge below. Known locally in Lozi as Mosi-oa-Tunya – “The Smoke That Thunders” – and in Tonga as Shungu Namutitima, “Boiling Water”, the falls are not simply seen but felt: a distant rumble in the air, a rising plume of mist, a reminder of nature’s unrestrained force.
Following a warm meet and greet, a private transfer brings you along the banks of the Zambezi River to Tongabezi, your riverside sanctuary for the next three nights. Set just upstream from the falls and facing across to Zimbabwe, the lodge feels worlds away from the bustle. Cottages and houses dotted along the water’s edge, shaded by mature trees alive with birdsong.
This afternoon is one of gentle arrival. Watch the river drift past from your private deck, perhaps with elephants visible on the far bank or hippos surfacing in the shallows. Tongabezi operates at a pace defined by you, whether that means unwinding by the pool, taking to the river by boat or simply absorbing the atmosphere of this storied stretch of Africa.
As the light softens, the Zambezi glows amber and gold. The distant thunder of the falls carries through the evening air, setting the tone for a journey that begins with elemental power and unfolds into creativity, community and purpose.
Power and Purpose at the Falls
This morning begins at the very edge of one of the planet’s great natural spectacles. Venture out to Livingstone Island, poised on the lip of Victoria Falls, where up to ten million litres of water surge over the precipice every second. From this extraordinary vantage point, the scale of Mosi-oa-Tunya becomes visceral.
Walk in the footsteps of David Livingstone, who first recorded the falls for a European audience in 1855, and pause to absorb the magnitude of the scene before you. Season permitting, take a guided swim in Devil’s Pool, suspended safely at the brink of the cascade, an experience that balances exhilaration with awe. A scenic picnic on the island offers time to linger, framed by uninterrupted views into the gorge below.
In the afternoon, the focus shifts from natural power to human ingenuity. Visit Wayawaya, a women-led social enterprise rooted in Livingstone’s creative community. Here, meet the artisans whose work blends contemporary design with local craftsmanship. Through conversation and demonstration, gain insight into how skill development and ethical fashion are creating economic independence and restoring confidence.
Glass, Creativity and Community
Spend the morning visiting the Sishemo Project, an inspiring female-led social enterprise located in the vibrant community of Nakatindi, just outside Livingstone. Here, you’ll meet the talented women behind the initiative and learn how they creatively transform discarded glass bottles into stunning handcrafted jewellery.
Through innovative up cycling techniques, they produce one-of-a-kind necklaces, bracelets, and earrings – each piece carrying a story of empowerment, sustainability and community pride. It’s a hands-on, heartwarming experience that offers a deeper look into local life and the powerful role of women in driving positive change.
The afternoon returns you to the river and unfolds at your own pace, allowing you to absorb the serenity and beauty of the landscape.
Exceptional Stay at Tongabezi
Into the Luangwa Valley
After breakfast on the banks of the Zambezi, a private transfer brings you to Livingstone Airport for your flight north to Mfuwe, gateway to South Luangwa National Park. From river gorge to vast valley, the landscape shifts dramatically as you descend into one of Africa’s most celebrated wilderness areas.
Stretching over 9,000 square kilometres, South Luangwa is a mosaic of lush grasslands, oxbow lagoons and towering woodland lining the winding Luangwa River. It is here that walking safaris were first pioneered – an approach that transformed how travellers engage with the bush, replacing distance with immersion.
On arrival at Shawa Luangwa Camp, set on the eastern bank of the river, you settle into your elevated tent overlooking the floodplain. Completely off-grid and operating silent electric vehicles, the camp offers both comfort and a light footprint. Later, venture out on your first game drive in the remote Nsefu sector. This region is renowned for its prolific leopard sightings, as well as healthy populations of lion and African wild dog.
Snares to Symbols
While staying at Shawa Lodge, a visit to Mulberry Mongoose offers a unique and inspiring glimpse into the creative spirit of the South Luangwa community. Nestled in the heart of the bush, this women-led jewellery workshop transforms snare wire. Once used in illegal poaching into beautiful, handcrafted pieces that tell a powerful story of conservation and resilience.
You’ll have the chance to meet the artisans, watch their intricate work in action, and even try your hand at creating something yourself. It’s a deeply personal and memorable experience that blends creativity, sustainability, and purpose – leaving you with not just a keepsake, but a connection to the wild and the women protecting it.
Art, Education and Impact
Today explores the broader fabric of the South Luangwa community. At Tribal Textiles, you’ll witness the incredible artistry of local artisans who use traditional hand-painting techniques to create bold, beautiful fabrics inspired by Zambia’s wildlife and culture. Each piece a celebration of color, craftsmanship and local heritage.
Nearby, Project Luangwa provides a deeper understanding of how tourism directly supports education and gender equality in the region. You’ll have the chance to visit schools, meet students, and learn how this impactful initiative is helping to build brighter futures. Together, these visits offer an inspiring look at how art, education, and community empowerment are woven into the very fabric of this extraordinary region.
Return to camp for an evening beneath vast African skies.
Exceptional Stay at Shawa Luangwa Camp
From Valley to Freshwater Sea
This morning, depart Mfuwe and fly via Lilongwe onward to Likoma Island, crossing from Zambia into neighbouring Malawi, affectionately known as the “Warm Heart of Africa.” The shift in landscape is striking. The vast floodplains of the Luangwa give way to shimmering blue horizons as you approach Lake Malawi, one of the continent’s most beautiful natural treasures.
Stretching over 580 kilometres, Lake Malawi is less a lake and more an inland sea — its crystal-clear waters edged by sandy beaches, rocky coves and lush hillsides. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to more species of freshwater fish than any other lake on Earth, it offers a rare blend of biodiversity and tranquillity.
On arrival at Kaya Mawa, settle into your whitewashed stone suite nestled into the shoreline. Built by local hands and powered entirely by renewable energy, the lodge embodies a relaxed, purpose-driven ethos – its name translating from Chichewa as “maybe tomorrow.”
The afternoon invites a change of pace. Snorkel among vividly coloured cichlids in warm freshwater, paddle by kayak along the coast, or simply rest beneath baobab and mango trees as gentle waves lap at the shore. After the intensity of safari, this is a soft landing, a space to slow down, reflect and reconnect beside one of Africa’s great lakes.
Craft and Sustainability on Likoma
A visit to Katundu Workshop on Likoma Island offers an inspiring and personal insight into how craftsmanship can create lasting impact. Founded in 2006, Katundu is a socially conscious enterprise providing artisanal training and ethical employment to local islanders, with a strong focus on empowering women.
During your visit, you’ll meet the artisans behind the work and see firsthand how beautiful, handcrafted home décor pieces are created from recycled and natural materials, from tumbled glass and locally made clay beads to repurposed wood from old fishing boats. Each piece reflects both creativity and care for the environment.
More than a workshop tour, this is an opportunity to connect with the people behind the designs and understand how sustainable enterprise is strengthening livelihoods and building confidence within the community.
Days at Kaya Mawa
With clear, warm waters surrounding Kaya Mawa, the lure of Lake Malawi is irresistible. Dive in with a goggle and a snorkel and enjoy some of the best freshwater snorkelling in the world, with colourful cichlid fish in abundance.
There are plenty of adventures to be had on the water’s surface too: water-skiing, kite surfing, wakeboarding and motorised boat or sailing trips. Hop onto a SUP or kayak, and paddle across to the neighbouring beaches and small islands. If you feel like venturing out further, you can take one of the lodge’s e-bikes to explore the island’s sights including a cathedral built in 1905, the Katandu textiles workshop, local villages and the majestic valley of baobabs.
Exceptional Stay at Kaya Mawa
Departure
A morning flight returns you to Lilongwe for onward travel.
From waterfall to valley to freshwater sea, this journey leaves you not only with memories of wilderness and beauty, but with meaningful connections to the people shaping Zambia and Malawi’s future.
Our purpose
Journeys With Purpose engage guests with the world’s most ambitious and exciting conservation projects across our seven continents. We believe travel can be a powerful force for learning, for expanding horizons and shifting perspectives on the magic and wonder of our natural world.
Our journeys invite you to step outside of your daily ecosystem and engage with new cultures, environments and people in the world’s wildest corners. At this moment in history, we are placing unprecedented pressure on the planet and wildlife, communities and nature is under threat. True wilderness is increasingly rare, yet there are remarkable examples of nature rebounding, and flourishing.
These conservation successes showcase the resilience of our natural world, and our journeys serve to spotlight, and support, these projects. Whether on a safari, diving trip or mountain expedition, by travelling with JWP you contribute to our mission: to conserve and restore 30 million acres of land and 30 million acres of seas by 2030. We are proud members of 1% for the Planet, through which we donate 1% of our annual revenue to grass-root initiatives.
Journeys With Purpose is also a member of The Long Run, a Conde Nast Traveller specialist travel agency, and a Certified B Corp, awarded “Best for the World: Environment 2022”.
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Sign up to our monthly field report to discover extraordinary projects, remarkable stories, and transformative experiences in wild nature.