Destination · Southern Africa
Malawi fam trips for travel agents and hosts
A Malawi fam trip introduces travel agents to lakeshore days and conservation stories. Use this guide to discuss a focused itinerary with a host, compare the experiences on offer and clarify what is included. Actual dates, availability and hosted arrangements depend on the individual programme.
Photo by Omar Hakeem on Unsplash
Which places in Malawi should travel professionals know?
Key parks, reserves, cities and coastlines in Malawi, with when to go and how guests usually get there. Each links to Google Maps.
National parkLake Malawi National Park (Cape Maclear)
Southern Region, Malawi
A UNESCO World Heritage Site at the southern end of Lake Malawi, protecting the lake's cichlid fish and a rocky shoreline and islands. Cape Maclear is the main base for snorkelling, kayaking and boat trips.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Joachim Huber from Switzerland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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IslandLikoma Island
Northern Region, Malawi
The larger of Malawi's two islands in Lake Malawi, surrounded by Mozambican waters, known for its beaches and the Anglican St Peter's Cathedral. It suits lake stays combined with a mainland safari.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Davidktorza, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
National parkLiwonde National Park
Southern Region, Malawi
A park on the Shire River, managed by African Parks since 2015, where boat safaris add to game drives. It is the safari half of many Malawi itineraries that pair wildlife with a lake stay.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Ludger Heide, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Game reserveMajete Wildlife Reserve
Southern Region, Malawi
A reserve in the Lower Shire Valley whose wildlife was restored after African Parks took over management in 2003; it now holds the Big Five. It is often paired with Liwonde on a southern Malawi safari circuit.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: David Davies, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
National parkNyika National Park
Northern Region, Malawi
Malawi's largest national park, a high plateau of rolling montane grassland in the far north. It offers walking, cycling and riding in cooler air, in contrast to the lowland parks.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: Ludger Heide, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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MountainMount Mulanje
Southern Region, Malawi
A granite massif east of Blantyre whose Sapitwa Peak, at 3,002 m, is the highest point in Malawi; it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape in 2025. It is the country's main hiking destination, ringed by tea estates.
Open in Google Maps ↗Photo: David Davies from Birmingham, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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CityLilongwe
Central Region, Malawi
Malawi's capital and main international gateway, used as an overnight before or after the lake and the parks. The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, a sanctuary for rescued animals, is in the city.
Open in Google Maps ↗
How should a Malawi fam itinerary be planned?
Compare a safari stay with a lakeshore stay to understand how the two products work together. Choose a realistic number of stops and give agents time to experience the properties beyond a room inspection.
Confirm the exact lake location and transfer plan. Ask which boat trips, park activities and conservation visits are included rather than assuming they come with the room.
What should agents confirm with the host?
Ask for a written itinerary and inclusions list before accepting. A hosted stay does not automatically include transport or every experience.
- Accommodation, meals and the activities included at each stop.
- International and domestic travel, transfers, fees and any permits.
- Personal costs, cancellation terms and the expected follow-up after the trip.
- Current entry requirements for your passport, travel advice and suitable insurance for the planned activities.
When is the best time to visit Malawi?
The dry season from May to October is the best time for most visitors to Malawi, with the best game viewing towards the end of it, although parks and reserves stay open all year.
General pattern only; it varies by region and from year to year.
| Months | Season | What agents see |
|---|---|---|
| May to August | Cool dry season | Sunny, pleasant days; cold nights on the Nyika, Zomba and Mulanje uplands |
| September to October | Hot dry season | Game viewing at its best as water dries up; hottest in the Lower Shire Valley |
| November to April | Rainy season | Mostly short storms and green landscapes, with some of the best birdwatching; floods can make roads difficult |
What do travellers to Malawi need to know?
- Capital
- Lilongwe
- Currency
- Malawian kwacha MWK
- Official language
- English
- Time zone
- Central Africa Time UTC+2
- Dialling code
- +265
- Driving
- On the left
Plugs and power
Plug type G. Mains supply 230 V, 50 Hz. Bring a plug adapter for these types; check whether devices also need a voltage converter.
International gateways
- LLW Kamuzu International Airport, Lilongwe
- BLZ Chileka International Airport, Blantyre
Entry
Visa rules for Malawi depend on nationality: some visitors can get a visa on arrival, others must obtain one before travel, and the Department of Immigration recommends applying in advance through its official eVisa portal. Check the current requirements for your passport before travelling.
Health
TravelHealthPro lists a high risk of malaria throughout Malawi. There is no yellow fever risk in Malawi, but a vaccination certificate is required from travellers arriving from, or transiting through, countries with yellow fever transmission risk; speak to a travel health professional well before travel.
Checked against the sources below. Rules change: confirm entry and health requirements before travel.
Questions travel agents and hosts ask
Are Malawi fam trips always free?
No. The invitation determines which costs are hosted and which are paid by the agent. Confirm flights, transfers, permits, activities and personal expenses before accepting.
Where can travel agents find Malawi fam trips?
Hosts list fam trips on RepBud, where travel agents can join RepBuddies free. Availability varies by destination and market; a country guide is not a promise of a current departure.
When is the best time to visit Malawi?
The dry season from May to October is the best time for most visitors to Malawi, with the best game viewing towards the end of it, although parks and reserves stay open all year.
What plugs are used in Malawi?
Malawi uses type G plugs. The mains supply is 230 V, 50 Hz.
What currency is used in Malawi, and what time zone is it in?
Malawi uses the Malawian kwacha (MWK) and is on Central Africa Time, UTC+2.
Explore the destination
Destination references for this guide. Confirm current arrangements with your host.
- Malawi Tourism: touring Malawi
- Malawi Tourism: travel advice (when to go, climate, electricity, money, time)
- Malawi eVisa portal and visa-on-arrival notice
- UK FCDO: Malawi entry requirements
- UK FCDO: Malawi safety and security (rainy season)
- TravelHealthPro: Malawi
- World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal: Malawi climatology 1991–2020
- Mains electricity by country (IEC-based table)