Liwonde National Park, MalawiVideo: Nesnad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Malawi
Malawi, made simple: a freshwater sea, quiet safaris and the warm heart of Africa
Malawi is small, friendly and unhurried. A vast lake with sandy beaches and bright cichlid fish runs down its length, rivers and parks hold elephants and big cats again, and granite mountains rise above tea estates. This guide takes the guesswork out of entry, cash, fuel shortages, safety and getting around so you can travel with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyEntry rules, malaria, seasons and travel advice, answered
- LandingLilongwe or Blantyre airport, cash and your first evening, explained
- Your days in MalawiLake, safari and mountains, paced realistically
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain the kwacha, cash, cards and park fees so nothing catches you out.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Malawi should feel like a warm welcome, not a worry. We answer the questions before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Going home to family in Lilongwe, Blantyre, Zomba or the villages for the first time in years, or coming for the lake and the wildlife? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your MalawiLakeshore, safari, mountains or city life: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsEntry rules, malaria protection, cash and current travel advice, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for food, culture, nature and stays in each area.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to shape your days and how you move between them.
Everything your Malawi trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Lilongwe, Blantyre, Cape Maclear, Liwonde and Mount Mulanje, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred restaurants, markets, lodges and walks, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Lilongwe and Blantyre and stays across the country.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Malawi trip
Lake, safari and mountains in one small country
Most first trips land in Lilongwe, head south to the beaches and snorkelling of Cape Maclear, cruise the Shire River in Liwonde for elephants and hippos, then finish with tea estates and hiking around Blantyre, Zomba and Mount Mulanje.
- Snorkelling with cichlids in Lake Malawi National Park
- Boat safaris on the Shire River in Liwonde
- Hiking the granite massif of Mount Mulanje
- Markets and music in Lilongwe and Blantyre
Start with the destinations
See how the lake, the parks and the highlands fit together.
Malawi destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
Distances look short on the map, but roads are slow and fuel can run short. Our free planner helps you choose a realistic route and pace.
- Realistic travel times
- The right season for the lake or safari
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in Malawi
From the lakeshore beaches to the river parks and the highlands of the south.
Central Region
Lilongwe
Malawi's green, low rise capital, with a busy Old Town, a wildlife sanctuary and the main international airport.
Read the guidePhoto: Joachim Huber from Switzerland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Southern Region
Blantyre
Malawi's oldest city and commercial hub, set among hills in the south and close to tea estates and Zomba Plateau.
Read the guidePhoto: Joachim Huber from Switzerland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Southern lakeshore
Cape Maclear
A sandy bay inside Lake Malawi National Park, famous for clear water, colourful fish, island camps and lazy sunsets.
Read the guidePhoto: Joachim Huber from Switzerland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Southern Region
Liwonde National Park
Malawi's best known safari park, where boat trips on the Shire River meet hippos, elephants and a revived population of big cats.
Read the guidePhoto: Lip Kee from Singapore, Republic of Singapore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Southern Region
Mount Mulanje
A vast granite massif rising above the tea estates of the south, with forests, waterfalls, mountain huts and Malawi's highest peak.
Read the guidePhoto: Ebr1thil, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is Malawi safe to visit?
Malawi has a well earned reputation for friendliness, and most visits pass without trouble. Petty theft, bag snatching and night time muggings happen in Lilongwe and Blantyre, and road travel after dark is risky. Read your government's current advice before booking.
Do I need a visa for Malawi?
Malawi removed visa requirements for many nationalities in 2023, but the list depends on your passport and can change. Check the Malawi Department of Immigration's official site before you book, and make sure your passport has blank pages and enough validity.
Can I use cards in Malawi?
Only in larger hotels, lodges and some supermarkets in the cities. Malawi runs mostly on cash kwacha, ATMs are found in towns, and lakeshore villages may have none. Carry enough cash for the places beyond the cities.
Do I need malaria tablets for Malawi?
Malaria is present across Malawi all year, including at the lake. Speak to a travel health clinic about tablets well before you travel, and use repellent and a net every night.
What is the capital of Malawi?
Lilongwe, in the central region. It has the main international airport, Kamuzu International, and is where most visitors start. Blantyre in the south is the commercial city and has the second airport.
How many days do I need in Malawi?
Ten days covers Lilongwe, Cape Maclear and Liwonde. Two weeks lets you add Zomba Plateau and Mount Mulanje, or the northern lakeshore at Nkhata Bay and Likoma Island.
Ready to find your Bliss in Malawi?
Use the free trip planner to turn ideas into a route that fits your dates and budget.