The Land & Lake Team
Land & Lake Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 1986)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $200 to $2,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email NeilG | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An exceptional bespoke safari organised by Land and Lake Safaris
I recently completed a 9-day bespoke safari of southern Malawi, organised and run by Land & Lake Safaris (LLS). It was excellent and met all of my expectations. Starting from Lilongwe, I visited Blantyre (The Leslie), Majete Wildlife Reserve (Thawale Lodge), Zomba Plateau (Zomba Forest Lodge), Liwonde National Park (Mvuu Lodge) and Dzalanyama Forest (Dzalanyama Forest Lodge) before returning to Lilongwe (Kumbali Country Lodge). All the places that I stayed at were very good but I would make special mention of Zomba Forest Lodge and Mvuu Lodge which were truly outstanding.
My particular thanks go to two members of the LLS staff for their massive contributions to the enjoyment of my safari. Firstly, Reservations Consultant, Denzel Banda, produced the initial itinerary and then worked patiently with me over several iterations to bring the schedule in line with my preferences. It was Denzel who booked all of the accommodation and ensured that the safari ran smoothly. Secondly, Jim Katengu was my guide for the whole of the safari and could not have been a more knowledgeable and entertaining companion. He was a brilliant guide, an exceptionally safe driver and willingly shared his great knowledge of Malawi’s wildlife, ecology, people, geography, history and culture. He is also one of Malawi's top birders, as he ably demonstrated during our two walks in Dzalanyama Forest.
My sincere thanks go to Land & Lake Safaris in general and to Denzel and Jim in particular. Hopefully, I will revisit Malawi and use LLS again in the foreseeable future.
Email David & Suzie | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Super organised, courteous, efficient and helpful in all respects
We hired a 4 x 4 from Land & Lake for 17 days for our self-drive, lodge-based holiday in Zambia and Malawi, and also used them for transport to and from the airport and our Lilongwe accommodation. The planning and booking process by email, spread over several weeks, was most efficient with all queries answered promptly and thoroughly.
The service we received on arrival and throughout our stay was excellent in all respects: quick, courteous, thorough and clear. Jim was at the airport to meet us and help with getting a local Airtel sim (excellent value at £5 for 25 GB, valid 30 days!) and currency from an ATM. He gave us a very clear and thorough briefing on the vehicle, whilst Khama dealt with insurance, documentation and suchlike including setting up a WhatsApp group to allow contact with all relevant parties as the trip progressed, and providing a “fixer” at the Zambian border in both directions to deal with all formalities: a real boon.
The Toyota Hilux was almost new and thus in excellent condition and just perfect for the trip. It had an excellent ‘fridge for cooling drinks and a basket of essential picnic items etc. Its return was equally efficient as collection and all transport arrangements reassuringly reliable and cheerfully conducted. All in all, we would – as very seasoned Africa self-drive travellers - have no hesitation in using Land & Lake again, or recommending them to others, whether they are first-timers or most experienced.
DE
Email Manuel | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Malawi self-drive trip 2024
I can highly recommend Land and Lake. Very well organized trip. We had great experiences as a self-drive safari. The rental car Toyota Hilux that Land and Lake provided us with was very, very good. Communication during the trip worked perfectly and quickly via WhatsApp
Best regards
Manuel Lausmann
Email Steffi and Axel | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Professional, very helpful and service-oriented
We rented a 4x4 with rooftop tent and fully kitted kitchen for a 10 days selfdrive trip through Malawi. The communication was very good in the booking phase, when renting out and upon return of the car as well as during the whole trip. We very much liked the idea of a whatsapp group with all crucial team members that could address potential issues during the trip.
Upon pick-up from the airport we also got assistance to purchase a local SIM card and bilharzia medication. It was very helpful to discuss the planned tour and potential sites to stay as well as receiving a contact for a competent mountain guide for a three-day-tour on Mount Mulanje.
We were very happy with the car and the equipment and had a great trip.
Email Becky and Ben | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely fantastic
By far the best trip we have had. We did a last minute booking with not much idea of where exactly we wanted to go. Our booking was handled by Tanith who gave us excellent advice and planned our trip so well. We did a self drive trip, dtaying at Liwonde, Mumbo Island and South Luangwa. The self drive was the part we felt a bit nervous about when booking but we certainly didn't need to be. The vehicle was great and had everything we could have needed. Ollie went through everything with us so we set off feeling confident and well looked after.
All the lodges were wonderful and each a bit different so we had a unique experience at each of them. We were assured that the lodges would cater for vegan diets and had been notified when booking - they certinely did not dissapoint. The food was delicious.
The animal sightings at Liwonde were great and the drives felt so private because we hardly saw any other vehicle. Our guide, David was excellent. Mvuu Lodge is absolutely somewhere we will stay again.
Mumbo Island was an excellent relaxing, mid holiday stop. A tropical paradise!
South Luangwa was definitely the highlight. Flatdogs Loddge was fantastic and the animal sightings we excperienced were beyond what we anticipated. Our guide Malama was fantastic and respectful of the wildlife.
An absolutely fantastic trip that we will never forget. Thank you Tanith and Ollie for an incredible time. We will be booking again for next year!
Email Megan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Land and lake know their stuff and catered well to our requirements
When we came out in January 2023 we wanted to experience all Malawi had to offer.
Tanith and Ollie were amazing and helped us plan our stay starting with a treehouse stay in liwonde, a stay by the lake at cape maclear followed by 4 days in Zambia at possibly the most gorgeous lodge in the world!
During our stay we saw 4 of the big 5 (no rhinos but we saw tracks which was incredible). All of our guides were amazing and so knowledgeable and our lake stay was super relaxing after our early starts in liwonde.
Everyone we met during our trip were so lovely and welcoming. Can definitely understand why Malawi is known as the warm heart of Africa. Can't wait to visit again!
SI
Email Jurij Modic | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
E very reliable and well organized company to rent 4x4 vehicle for self-drive tour
We got a hint about Land&Lake Safaris rental service from our friend, who rented from them last year. The communication with them was excellent from the very start. The only glitch was a bank transfer payment for a car deposit - the money didn't arrive to their bank account for almost a month. But I guess this was not their fault, it was a problem in the banking communication system. In the end, the money appeared in their account after all.
We got a Toyota Hilux, with full camping equipment. The car was an older one, with quite a lot of history, but it was in perfect condition. Very clean (including the engine bay), with excellent tires, and all necessary roadworthy and recovery equipment. The camping equipment was also in excellent condition, including the roof-top tent. The car had a double fuel tank installed, which is a very important factor, due to frequent fuel shortages in Malawi. The car handover and the return procedure were fast, and executed very professionally.
We didn't have any single problem with the car or its equipment during our three-week trip all over Malawi, so we will certainly rent from them again. I would warmly recommend Land&Lake Safaris to anyone looking for 4x4 rentals in that region.
NL
Email Marco | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Very supportive organisation
Land and Lake were very supportive in assisting us organising our own trip. All questions we asked were answered within a day and we were always invited to ask more. Our stay in their Dzalanyama Forest lodge was excellent, again with very helpful staff. I would recommend anyone planning to travel to Malawi contacting Land and Lake and will certainly do so myself for future visits.
US
Email Katie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic and full of wonderful people. Jim is a wonderful guide!
I went on the Kuti and the Lake tour and the Dedza pottery tour with Jim. I went solo because I was there on business, but Jim made it completely amazing! He knows so much about the area and is an expert birder. He is also quite good at spotting wildlife. I went in winter and it was quite nice. The grasses dried out and had either been burned or cut down making it easier to see the wildlife. I also loved the rock painting area and it was definitely a highlight of my trip! Thanks Land & Lake and Jim!
Email Amar | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great tour and amazing team!
Memory and her team were absolutely fantastic throughout the tour. Escorting 40 of us cycling from Lilongwe to Mulanje. Extremely knowledgeable, helpful and welcoming. Thanks for all the beautiful experiences!