GUIDE

MALAWISUMMER 2019

28 DAYS

MALAWI

DESTINATION FACTS

WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

WHAT IT’S LIKE...Expect an enthusiastic welcome in “the warm heart of Africa” where you will be bowled over by the hospitality and friendliness of the locals. Make a real difference by helping out a community project, learning all about the Malawian way of life first-hand. Head out on safari to spot Africa’s famous wildlife including elephants and crocodiles before reaching the glistening shores of Lake Malawi. It’s time to pick up your kayak for a paddle to Domwe Island on beautiful clear waters.

The purpose of this brief is to introduce your expedition opportunity. It will give you a feel for the destination and the type of activities that you will be involved in.

We hope this brief snapshot will leave you feeling inspired and wanting more!

HIGHLIGHTS Conquer Mount Kawandama

Kayak on the beautiful Lake Malawi

Contribute to local community projects

Enjoy an amazing safari adventure

PHYSICAL RATING: Moderate to challenging expedition.

CULTURE SHOCK: Eye-opening - you will experience a very different world!

ALTITUDE: The expedition will not exceed 3000m.

VISA: Required for British nationals*

RELIGION/S: Christianity, Islam.

CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL INTEREST: Malawi is a new country and is home to many tribes and ethnic groups; national identity is still secondary to regional identities.

LANGUAGES: English, Chichewa.

GEOGRAPHY: The Great Rift Valley cuts down the centre with mountains on either side. Lake Malawi forms most of the ejstern border.

CLIMATE: Warm year-round with cold nights in the winter (northern hemisphere summer). Temperature 20-28ºC. Seasonal summer rainfall.

* Please note requirements may change

Expeditions are a life-changing experience, a chance for young people to go on a fun and educational journey with their friends. Most expedition destinations are in developing countries, allowing students to not only experience stunning parts of the world but also witness a very different way of life, often with the chance to immerse themselves in the culture through project work.

HOW IT WORKS...WHAT IS AN?

Expeditions are a life-changing experience, a chance for young people to go on a fun and educational journey with their friends. Most expedition destinations are in developing countries, allowing students to not only experience stunning parts of the world but also witness a very different way of life, often with the chance to immerse themselves in the culture through project work.

HOW IT WORKS...

Our expeditions are made up of four main phases; acclimatisation, trekking, project and rest & relaxation. During the build-up we put students in the driving seat, allowing them to finalise their itinerary alongside our experts.

Dedicate some time to helping on

a project - either community or environmental

based, often working with local people.

ProjectTrekkingYou may take part

in a trek doing either a cultural

trek through villages or an

attempt to summit a nearby

mountain!

AcclimatisationArrive in country and spend some

time getting used to the new culture

whilst planning your next phase

and changing currency.

R&REnjoy some R&R! This could involve

a few days on a beautiful beach,

reflecting on your expedition or an

adrenaline adventure.

EXPEDITION TIMELINE1 2 3 4 5

EXPEDITION LAUNCH

ITINERARY DEVELOPMENT

LEADER MEETING

EXPEDITION TRAINING

FINAL PREPARATION

FUNDRAISING FUNDRAISING

DAY 1-2Depart from the UK. Your flight will be overnight and involve a transfer. Welcome to Malawi, the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’!

DAY 3Orientation in the capital city, Lilongwe. Acclimatise to the culture and the climate, and prepare for the next phase of your expedition.

DAY 4Travel to Luwawa Forest Lodge in the Luwawa Forest Reserve on the Viphya Plateau.

DAY 5-8Trek along the peaceful Luwawa Wilderness Trail. After an acclimatisation hike you will complete three days of trekking eventually arriving on the shores of Lake Malawi.

DAY 9 Spend some time relaxing at the Kachere Kastle Resort on the shores of the lake.

DAY 10Make any preparations for your upcoming project phase and travel to the project site.

DAY 11-15Over the next few days you will be contributing to an important community project in rural Malawi. You will be helping to build a nursery school, working alongside the locals.

DAY 16Return to Lilongwe and visit the Ministry of Hope, a local organisation established as a response to the overwhelming number of orphans in Malawi.

DAY 17-18Travel to Liwonde National Park crossing the Shire River by boat to get to your camp. Enjoy a true African safari experience in one of the best stocked national parks in Africa.

DAY 19Make final preparations for your next trek and travel through villages and tea plantations to the small town of Mulanje, located at the base of Mount Mulanje.

DAY 20-22Trek to the plateau of Mount Mulanje before exploring the trails of one of the best hiking locations in the country.

DAY 23 Travel to Cape Maclear on the shores of Lake Malawi.

DAY 24-25Take your kayak and paddle to Domwe Island, explore the island and spend the evening by a campfire under starry skies.

DAY 26Stock up on souvenirs and enjoy the hospitality and friendliness of the extraordinary Malawi people one more time.

DAY 27-28 Depart Lilongwe. Arrive in the UK the following morning. Welcome home!

EXAMPLE ITINERARY

Due to the changing nature of the world over the build up period, Outlook may be required to change aspects of, or the order of the itinerary. Outlook will consult with the Link Teacher/Group Leader and all participants if this is the case.

The below itinerary has been created by our Destination Managers as an example of what you may choose to do on expedition.

If you are adventurous and love nature and beautiful scenery, then the peace and tranquillity of the Luwawa Wilderness Trail is for you!

Start your three day trek at Luwawa Forest Lodge. At around 2000m above sea level, the trail passes over rolling plateaus and through lichen draped woodland, forests and rivers. There are fantastic views across the lake to Mozambique, the islands, and mountains beyond.

During your trek you may spot wild animals such as antelopes, birds and monkeys and you will have the chance to see true remote hill communities. You will camp in beautiful locations and arrive on the shores of beautiful Lake Malawi.

Enjoy a true taste of Africa as you head to Liwonde National Park for a thrilling safari – spot many of the continent’s famous animals by jeep, boat or foot!

Travel across the plains and tea plantations of landlocked Malawi on your way to the country’s highest peak – Mount Mulanje. Follow the trails up the impressive granite massif, ascending through climate zones to the 3000m summit for incredible views across the African plains. Camp or stay in mountain huts along the way, looking out for a variety of wildlife in the forests of the mountain’s slopes.

Head to Cape Maclear, a small and friendly village on the southern shores of beautiful Lake Malawi. From here you can take part in a kayak trip to Domwe Island - a small, remote island on the huge lake. The team will have plenty of time to explore and relax. Why not try your hand at line fishing and enjoy your catch? Cook on an open fire on the beach as you watch the sunset over Africa.

ADVENTUREAt the Itinerary Development Session, with guidance from one of our destination experts, the team will be able to choose from options to finalise their itinerary. The choices may include the project they work and where they go for some rest and relaxation!

PROJECTYou may choose to head to a rural community in northern Malawi and take part in the Vinjeru project. The word ‘Vinjeru’ means ‘intelligence, knowledge, and wisdom.’ This charity is dedicated to enhancing the education of young people in Malawi as well as raising awareness of poverty and illiteracy.

They do this mainly through collecting educational resources, donated by individuals in the UK, and taking them to schools and individual children in Malawi, particularly in remote and rural areas.

In the past, Outlook teams have assisted with construction work to help build a new nursery school and organised activities for the local children such as football or netball games and cultural activities.

The experience of cultural exchange offers an amazing learning opportunity for children in remote areas.

Contributing to a project is a fantastic opportunity to experience the colourful, warm Malawian culture, as well as giving a little something back to this extraordinary country.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?UK BUILD UP* Itinerary Development Session. Expedition Leader Meeting. Final Preparation Day.

TRAINING Expedition Training event in the UK with your Expedition Leader.

LINK TEACHER TRAINING Leader Team Training (first aid as required).

LEADER TEAM COMPOSITION 2 Link Teachers and an Outlook Expedition Leader.

FLIGHTS International flight.

INSURANCE Comprehensive overseas medical insurance.

TRANSPORT All overseas transport.

IN DESTINATION All food and accommodation. All group activities including any entrance fees. All rest and relaxation activity.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED? Spending money for gifts / souvenirs whilst on expedition.

Inoculations, prophylaxis and personal medicine. (All participants based in England and Wales receive 10% discount at Nomad Travel).

Visas and passports – please refer to page 3 to see if a visa is required.

Personal belongings insurance (this may be covered by your household / contents insurance).

Loss of passport.

Cancellation insurance (contact our Customer Service Team for more information).

Personal equipment (e.g. rucksack, sleeping bag, waterproof clothing); all participants receive 15% discount at ‘Cotswold Outdoor’.

Transport to and from UK-based training courses, to the Final Preparation Day venue and from the airport.

Food and accommodation in the UK, unless specified.

phone

01248 667 250 email

INFO@OUTLOOKEXPEDITIONS.COMonline

WWW.OUTLOOKEXPEDITIONS.COM

HOW TO LAUNCH YOUR

2. BOOK A PRESENTATION AT YOUR SCHOOL

3. STUDENTS APPLY ONLINE

1. CONTACT YOUR REGIONAL MANAGER

To launch all you need to do is follow these steps:

“I am exceptionally pleased with the support and guidance Outlook provide before our expedition.” - Link Teacher