A 6th birthday party on safari in Malawi

Exploring the warm heart of Africa on a family safari

Louise
Louise
Published on
12 Aug 2018
Updated on
25 Apr 2025
Birthday Safari At Kuthengo Camp Liwonde

In July this year, my two daughters (5yrs & 3yrs) and I along with another family of five (5yrs, 3yrs and 15mths), plus a very close as well as patient, child-loving friend, set off for a family safari in Malawi.

Bens Malawi Family Trip
The families enjoy an epic adventure together in Malawi - sundowners in Majete

If like me (pre-trip), you have no idea where Malawi is located you will find this small, slim, landlocked country neatly sandwiched between Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia on the Eastern side of Africa. As a group, we were looking for a bit of an adventure, away from the norm but also a place where we felt safe to travel with the children and where they could get their first taste of Africa. Malawi hit the spot.

Tracking Warthogs In Liwonde At Kuthengo Camp
The children tracked warthogs at Kuthengo
The Children Stalking A Warthog At Kuthengo Camp Liwonde
Explorers at a young age

The journey to Blantyre is pretty arduous but I assure you wholeheartedly that it is worth it to stay in the three Robin Pope Lodges – Mkulamadzi, Kuthengo and Pumulani. Mkulamadzi and Kuthengo for safari and Pumulani to rest and relax. Each lodge has a different offering in terms of accommodation, location and experience and they complement each other perfectly.

Mkulumadzi Bathtub
Mkulumadzi
Kuthengo Veranda
Kuthengo
Pumulani Swimming Pool
Pumulani

Half way through our trip it was my daughter’s 6th birthday. On that day we were staying in Kuthengo and then heading to Pumulani that afternoon. Kuthengo is a new, small and luxurious lodge where you arrive and depart by boat – a fun experience for the children. The river and river banks here are teeming with wildlife, particularly hippo and crocodiles but also zebra, elephant, waterbuck, warthogs as well as numerous bird species.

A Birthday Safari At Kuthengo Camp Liwonde
A birthday safari

Our beautiful room in Kuthengo (I believe no. 4) is the closest of all the rooms to the Shire River and my daughter woke up on her 6th birthday to the grunts of the many hippo wallowing in the water just a very short distance from our room.

Kuthengo View From Bed
A bedroom at Kuthengo
Kuthengo Liwonde River
Hippos at Kuthengo

Jason and Steegan who run the lodge along with their friendly team had arranged a light breakfast for us before we departed by boat for our ‘mini birthday adventure’. Armed with the ‘child friendly’ animal checklists provided by Steegan, we headed up river to see beautiful Lake Malombe before heading back downstream, all the time spotting wildlife along the way. I may be biased but it is surely a wonderful way to spend your birthday – cruising along a vast river in the company of your little friends whilst counting crocodiles, spotting fish eagles and looking for baby hippos.

Elephants At Kuthengo Camp Liwonde
The birthday girl spotted elephants on her special day

Around half 9, just as the children were starting to get hungry we pulled up to a remote spot along the riverbank and were greeted by the team from the lodge. Not only did we find a fully set table in the shade of a tree, bacon and eggs cooking on an open fire and tea in the pot but also brightly coloured cupcakes on a cake stand each with a candle. My daughter was over the moon. Following our delicious breakfast, we all sang Happy Birthday and tucked into the cakes. Just as we were getting ready to move on, this time by jeep back to the lodge, two elephants casually walked through the trees. They gave us a steady stare before gently moving on. We were astonished to have been so close to them and their timing was perfect.

Birthday Goodies At Kuthengo Camp Liwonde
Birthday party, Malawi style
Bush Breakfast At Kuthengo Camp Liwonde
Bacon and eggs - the best birthday bush breakfast ever
Birthday Treats In The Bush At Kuthengo Camp In Liwonde
Birthday cupcakes out in the bush

From Kuthengo we travelled to Pumulani, a hillside lodge overlooking the vast Lake Malawi. Run by two gregarious people – Garth and Roseanne - you can’t help but relax into this beautiful place.

One of the many positives of staying in these properties is that the people who run the lodges talk to each other on a daily basis. This means that from the start they are gathering small titbits of information about the group and passing it on to the next lodge, making our experience all the more personable and welcoming along the way.

Sunset Dhow Sailing On Lake Malawi
Dancing on the dhow as the sunsets on another wonderful day

By the time we arrive at Pumulani, Garth and Roseanne know all the children’s names and of course have been briefed about my daughter’s birthday. She couldn’t believe that they knew this and was especially delighted when they gave her a pretty card, handmade by one of the staff, as well as a Malawi bracelet and a beautifully crafted wooden bicycle. We spent five wonderful nights at Pumulani. Our days were easily filled – lazing on the private beach and swimming in the Lake, heading out in their luxury boat to Cape Maclear, picnicking and snorkelling in the crystal-clear water, wake boarding and kayaking as well as taking the sunset cruise on the dhow.

Pumulani Georgias 6Th Birthday In Malawi
Birthday party back at Pumulani
Birthday Party At Pumulani
Cake!

Our Malawi holiday was spectacular. It is an overused and often misused phrase but for my family it was honestly a trip of a lifetime. The people we met along the way, the animals and the places we saw as well as these unique lodges all played their part to make such wonderful and lasting memories for us all.

For more inspiration, take a look at our best family safari holidays or call our friendly experts on 01768 603 715 and they will happily help you plan your next holiday!

Wondering when to visit? Take a look at this guide on the best time to visit Malawi.

Looking for some more inspiration? Take a look at our best safari holidays ideas, our favourite family safaris, our big five safari guide or our top African safari honeymoon suggestions.

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Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

July, 2024
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

June, 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

July, 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

June, 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

May, 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

April, 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

March, 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

March, 2024