You’re invited to join the Australian International Development Network our Warm Heart of Africa Tour to  Malawi and Zimbabwe in July 2025. The purpose of the tour is to give funders an in-depth insight into the work of a variety of NGOs working in the southern region of Africa in different sectors, and their operating context, with a particular focus on locally-led organisations.

Logistics for the tour are being generously organised by Intrepid Travel at a cost price.
We hope you can join us! If you have any questions, get in touch with us.

Click here to register your interest

At a glance:

  • 13-day itinerary
  • 7 – 18 July, 2025
  • Meet with over 20 NGO teams as well as site visits to approximately 14 NGOs
  • Showcase Day in conjunction with Segal Family Foundation
  • Travel with other funders, group size of 10 -14 people
  • 4-star accommodation
  • In-country logistics by Intrepid Travel
  • Pre-departure briefing
  • Due diligence and information pack provided prior to departure

Organisations we’ll be visiting

The Showcase Day

As part of the Insight Tour to Malawi and Zimbabwe, AIDN and the Segal Family Foundation are co-hosting a Showcase Day at Kumbali Lodge in Lilongwe. We’re bringing together around 70 people from the international development community, including funders working in Southern Africa and local leaders who are making a real difference in their communities. The day will include an open conversation with the team from Segal about how change really happens and what it takes to build strong local leadership, with the chance to hear from others who know the country well. We’ll finish the day with a relaxed cocktail and sundowners at The Farmer’s Daughter, with live acoustic music—an easygoing way to unwind, connect, and share ideas.

The Itinerary:

*Please note that site visits are indicative at this stage and are subject to change. If you have requests for specific site visits, please speak to our team.

Day Date Location Overview
1 Monday 7 July Lilongwe, Malawi

Arrival day.
Evening drinks and welcome dinner.

Accommodation at Latitude 13
2 Tuesday 8 July Lilongwe > Blantyre, Malawi

Site visits.

Travel to Blantyre, Malawi.

Accommodation at Amaryllis Hotel Blantyre
3 Wednesday 9 July Blantyre > Lilongwe, Malawi

Morning site visit.

Travel back to Lilongwe.

Accommodation at Latitude 13.
4 Thursday 10 July Lilongwe, Malawi

Site visits. 

Accommodation at Latitude 13.
5 Friday 11 July Lilongwe, Malawi

Site visits. 

Accommodation at Latitude 13.
6 Saturday 12 July Lilongwe, Malawi

Showcase Day in conjunction with Segal Family Foundation. Meet NGO leaders and other philanthropic teams funding in the region.

Accommodation at Latitude 13.
7 Sunday 13 July Lilongwe, Malawi

Rest day or take the opportunity to do a group hike and experience the local culture.

Accommodation at Latitude 13.
8 Monday 14 July Lilongwe, Malawi

Site visit.

Accommodation at Latitude 13.
9 Tuesday 15 July Malawi > Zimbabwe

Travel by plane to Harare, Zimbabwe.

Accommodation at Amanzi Lodge.
10 Wednesday 16 July Harare, Zimbabwe

Site visits.

Accommodation at Amanzi Lodge.
11 Thursday 17 July Harare, Zimbabwe

Site visits.

Accommodation at Amanzi Lodge..
12 Friday 18 July Harare, Zimbabwe

Site visit.

Final group dinner.

Accommodation at Amanzi Lodge.
Saturday 19 July Harare, Zimbabwe Departure day. (Fly out of Harare)

Your Hosts:

Simon Lewis, Chair of AIDN, Upenyu Mawande together with Hannah McNicol, will be your co-hosts. We’ll have special guest hosts join us throughout the trip as well. Stay tuned for details.

Simon Lewis

Simon Lewis

Chair of AIDN

Simon is the Chair of AIDN. Born in Zimbabwe, Simon now resides in Australia and is an experienced board member, trustee and former senior executive in the trustee, philanthropy and family office sector. 

Read more about Simon here.

Upenyu Mawande

Upenyu Mawande

Co-Host

Uppi is on the Advisory Council at AIDN is the Head of Programs for the Africa Judith Neilson Foundation.
Read more about Uppi here.
Hannah McNicol

Hannah McNicol

Communications & Research Lead at AIDN

Hannah is an international development academic researcher and communications professional, with a with particular interest and expertise in women and gender issues, Chinese aid and South-South Cooperation.

Read more about Hannah here.

Costs:

Logistics for the tour are being generously organised by Intrepid Travel at cost price. Indicative costs are US$7,000 – $10,000 per person. This will be confirmed over the coming months depending on final numbers.

Cost will include:

  • Road transfers
  • Flight to Blantyre (one way with drive back) and flight from Lilongwe to Harare
  • Accommodation at 3 or 4 star hotels (unless specified otherwise)
  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner each day (unless specified otherwise)
  • Site visits as detailed in the itinerary
  • Showcase Day in conjunction with Segal Family Foundation
  • Tips for drivers and guides

Costs will exclude:

  • Any international flights (if not mentioned above)
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips for hotel staff 
  • Entry to any cultural or tourist activities unless indicated

Partners:

Interested?

If you would like to join AIDN for the 2025 Warm Heart of Africa Insight Tour, then please…

Complete this form

or get in touch with us directly. Spaces are strictly limited.