Martin Matrimony

Malawi is known as ‘The Warm Heart of Africa'. That is not just a marketing slogan, it's a reality. Malawians are the most friendly people you could meet anywhere in the world. A warm, welcoming and safe nation, locals love to share their communities with visitors; and cultural experiences here are genuine and true to life.

Malawi is rich in democracy, peace, and spirit. But economically, Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. Despite it’s economic state, Malawi has so much to offer; wildlife, culture, adventure, scenery, and of course the third largest lake in Africa. A year-round destination, some even go as far to describe Malawi as the most attractive and complete destination in Africa! This may seem to be an extravagant claim for such a relatively small country but the truth lies in the unique combination of attractions that Malawi has to offer.

Where else will you find such rich cultural interaction and such a genuinely warm welcome in a country at peace with itself? Where else can you experience such a diverse scenic kaleidoscope in such a small area? Here you have central Africa’s highest mountain, vast high plateaux with seemingly limitless views, forests and unspoilt game parks and, the jewel in the crown, Africa’s third largest and most beautiful lake – truly an inland sea.

There are a few airlines which offer flights to Malawi from the USA. Most flights leave from Chicago, Washington DC, New York or Atlanta. Your final destination is Kamuzu International Airport, sometimes referred to as Lilongwe International Airport (LLW) in Lilongwe, Malawi. Please be aware that there are no direct flight to Malawi. You will likely have some stop overs in South Africa or Ethiopia. Anticipate a 22-30 hour trip in total. The longest leg of the journey can be about 15 hours.

Plan to fly in to Lilongwe, Malawi by Tuesday July 23rd, 2024 and plan to fly out on Wednesday July 31st, 2024. (07/23/24-07/31/24) These dates are merely a suggestion so you can make the most of your trip by joining the group on a 7 day adventure across Malawi.

You are more than welcome to come before and even stay beyond! We would love to host and entertain you for as long as you like! There is so much to do in and around Malawi so we totally understand if you feel like 7 days is just not enough. These dates are simply a recommendation for the group itinerary.

The airline is known for its excellent professionalism and comfortability. Graced with an African flavored Ethiopian hospitality, thier flights are quipped with the best entertainment options, ensuring a memorable flight. From Blockbuster Hollywood films to TV shows and destination guides you’ll have all the entertainment you need right at your screen. Seating is spacious and comfortable and you have the freedom to move around during your flight to stretch and reset. You are pampered with meals and free drinks throughout your long flight and before you know it you’ve made it to your destination!

United Airlines offers flights from different cities in the USA to Malawi

A passport is required for all foreign visitors and has to be valid for at least six months.

Passports must have at least three empty pages.

Travelers obtain a visa UPON ARRIVAL. Do not worry about applying for a visa ahead of time.

You will pay a one time visa fee of $75 cash (exact change) the Airport.

Tourist visas are valid for 30 days and can be extended for up to three months for a small fee at local immigration offices.

Information about visas, fees and the application process is available from Malawi’s Department of Immigration. Link below.

Malawi is known to be one of the safest countries to visit in Africa.

Here are some safety tips:

1. Be aware of your surroundings: Like everywhere you travel to, stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Avoid walking alone at night and don’t carry large amounts of cash or valuables.

2. Don’t use your phone while walking on the street. Your phone can be snatched out of your hands.

3. Keep an eye on your belongings, especially in busy tourist areas where pickpocketing can be a problem. Consider using a money belt or other secure storage option for valuables.

4. Never take all your cash or valuables with you. Only take what you need for the day.

Tap water is clean, filtered, and safe for bathing and brushing teeth.

Malaria is a risk in Malawi. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Symptoms can be similar to that of flu or cause shaking chills that can range from moderate to severe. A high fever, sweating, headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and muscle pain may also occur.

The CDC recommends that travelers going to Malawi take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Medication is also available upon arrival in Lilongwe if you did not manage to make arrangements prior. It is a pill you take everyday during your stay.

Wearing mosquito repellent is the best combat against the risk of infection.

Please be assured there are several private hospitals that provide excellent care in the case of an injury or illness. There is also the possibility of an medical evacuation in the case of an emergency. Please follow the link to the CDC website to read more.

•4Nights Lilongwe $30/night $120

•3 Nights Salima $85/Per person per night $255

(Budget option for Salima $50/Per Person Per Night $150)

•1 Nights South Luwangwa $300/night

•Transportation $250

•Food $15-20/meal $225-300

*all accommodations offer breakfast

•Activities (boat rides, safari, game drive, guided tour) $100

•Visa $75

•Malaria Medicine $10

Total $1385

Flight prices vary between $1400-2000

You will need to prepare for:

5 nights in Lilongwe, the capital city

2 nights in Salima, the beach wedding destination

1 night in South Luwangwa, a Safari National Park

Details about the dates and the schedule can be found in the itinerary tab.

We will reserve a room block in hand picked hotels and resorts so we can all move around and stay together. Those details will be shared soon. All locations are highly rated, clean, comfortable and safe. You are more than welcome to branch out of the options suggested if you find something that suits your wants better.

Rooms

Make yourself at home in one of the 32 air-conditioned guestrooms. Satellite television is provided for your entertainment. Bathrooms have showers and complimentary toiletries. Conveniences include phones and blackout drapes/curtains, and housekeeping is provided daily.

Amenities

Enjoy recreational amenities such as an outdoor pool and a fitness center. Additional features at this hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and babysitting/childcare (surcharge).

Dining

Grab a bite at one of the hotel's 2 restaurants, or stay in and take advantage of room service (during limited hours). Relax with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge or a poolside bar.

When packing for Malawi, you can consider bringing the following items:

There is no dress code in Malawi, the only recommendation is women should avoid anything super short. (At the beach or pool is fine)

•Wear your regular clothes that you enjoy and feel comfortable in. Keep in mind the attire for the rehearsal dinner and the wedding is cocktail/formal.

•Use a suitcase for the sake of ease

•Small backpack to carry your supplies

•A refillable water bottle

•Warmer clothing for the evenings and early mornings

•Insect repellent

•Sturdy closed-toe shoes or hiking boots

• Flip Flops or Sandals

•Sunglasses

•A mini first aid kit (Bandaids, Hydrocortisone, Neosporin, Tylenol, Imodium)

•Swimwear

•A money belt or Fanny pack or any other secure way to hold your valuables

•Hand sanitizer

•Toiletries

• Suncreen

Group Transportation:

We will rent two 16 seater Toyota Quantum vans that will pick you up from the airport and take you to your respective destinations. The vehicles are registered, safety checked and will have qualified and approved drivers to get you around Malawi safely and comfortably. All seats have seatbelts.

We will move as a group as we enjoy our itinerary and make time for grocery/toiletry and food runs throughout your stay.

*The cost of the group transportation will be split between guests. Likely $250 per person for the whole trip

Taxis

If at anytime during the trip you decide to branch out and explore, taxis are a safe and affordable alternative. For the longer drives (eg. to Salima and to South Luwangwa) we recommend that we move as a group.

Rate details about rentals can be found in the next tab.

If If you prefer to have more control over your transportation, renting a car is also a viable option. here is an example of the cars available and the rates they go by. Keep in mind, factor the cost of gas which is around $1-2/liter. Click the image for more information. (Exchange rate k1099=$1)

You are able to drive in Malawi with a valid and current US driver’s license. Remember that they drive in the left side of the road in Malawi!

Drinks:

Brand-name soft drinks such as Pepsi, Coca-Cola and Fanta are widely available in Malawi and cheap by international standards. If the fizzy stuff doesn’t appeal, you can buy imported fruit juices at most large supermarkets.

Tap water is safe to bathe and brush teeth but do not drink tap water unless it has been boiled or filtered. Bottled water is widely available and affordable.

Food:

You can find just about any international meal anywhere in Malawi. The variety of food is vast ranging from hamburgers and pizza to Nsima and crickets. You don’t have to be super adventurous to enjoy Malawian cuisine. Most menus are simple though delicious. Restaurants uphold an international standard of safety and cleanliness and are regularly monitored and assessed. There are also plenty of supermarkets where you can buy your familiar favorite imported snacks. Take a look at the link to see what restaurant options are available in Lilongwe.

Lilongwe is the capital city of Malawi. It consists of two contrasting parts, the smart, modern Capital City and the streets and markets of the Old Town:

To the south of Lilongwe, the Old Town is almost indistinguishable from other small African towns. Here you’ll find a real mix of commercial, residential and industrial buildings. The numerous shops, markets, cafes and restaurants found here sell nearly everything imagineable.

Planned and built mainly in the late 60s and 70s, Lilongwe’s new town, to the north, the Capital City or City Centre, is the most modern and developed area of Malawi’s capital. Broad avenues bordered by flowerbeds lead along high, shiny white buildings – mainly banks, hotels, embassies and offices. This area hasn’t got a lot of character, but one can’t argue that it isn’t very clean and tidy.

Close to the City Centre, Capital Hill holds more than a dozen office blocks, mainly containing government ministries. Public access is normally not possible, yet occasionally guided tours may be arranged.

The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre provides a sanctuary to injured and orphaned animals. It’s not a game-viewing destination but worth a gentle walk along the river and through the woodland. On the 6km of trails here you might spot monkeys, birds and butterflies or the odd bushpig. Cycling and picnicking are permitted.

For the more active traveller, you can acquire a daily membership at Lilongwe Golf Club to use its tennis, swimming and bowls facilities.

Experts have dubbed South Luangwa to be one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world and not without reason. The concentration of animals around the Luangwa River, and its oxbow lagoons, is among the most intense in Africa.

The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life-blood of this 9 050km2 / 5 623mi² park. It protects a wide variety of wildlife, birds and vegetation. The now famous ‘walking safari’ originated in South Luangwa and is still one of the finest ways to experience Africa’s pristine wilderness first-hand. The changing seasons add to its richness, ranging from dry, bare bush in the winter (April to October) to a lush, green wonderland in the summer months (November to March). There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species in South Luangwa National Park. You can spot lions, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, springboks, elephants, hippos and so many more. The only notable exception is the rhino, sadly poached to extinction.

With about 400 of Zambia’s 732 species of birds appearing in the park, including 39 birds of prey and 47 migrant species over summer, there is plenty for the birdwatcher to spot, whatever the season.

Lake Malawi is the jewel in the crown of the country’s tourist attractions. This is the ‘inland sea’ of the otherwise land-locked Malawi. This vast body of crystal clear freshwater fringed by beaches of golden sand is not only a scenic wonderland but it provides water sport opportunities for those looking for something beyond sun, sand and swimming.

Its approximate dimensions are 365 miles north to south and 52 miles broad, hence another nickname: ‘Calendar Lake”. In the north, Lake Malawi is quite extraordinarily deep: 2300 ft/700 m, plunging well below sea level. This reflects the enormity of the natural faulting of the Great Rift Valley, which is the origin of the Lake.

The lake is home to more species of fish than any other lake including at least 700 species of cichlids. The lake`s water is alkaline (pH 7.7 - 8.6) and warm with atypical surface temperature between 24 and 29 °C (75 - 84 °F). Besides being a home to fish, Lake Malawi is also a habitat for wildlife like such as crocodiles, hippopotamus, monkeys and fish eagles.

The lake is a wonderland that offers all types of water sports and activities expected of any tropical beach destination. There are boats and boards of all types available to have fun with and to explore the waters, islands and beaches of the lake.

When it comes to small boats, the Lake is best known for its kayaking & sailing options with kayaks & canoes available at most beach lodges and even the option to take on longer expeditions along the lakeshore. A few lodges have small sailing boats for personal use or larger ones for a leisurely cruise. The crystal clear water of Lake Malawi make it an ideal location for snorkelling, and donning a mask will give immediate access to the colourful kaleidoscope of tropical fish that live in the Lake and feed from the rocks along the shore.