SA Flights

Flights to Malawi

Malawi Introduction

Malawi, a country in Africa, is also known as the “Warm Heart of Africa” because of the friendliness of its people. The capital city, Lilongwe, is the largest city of Malawi and started as a small village on the banks of the Lilongwe river. With its large rural areas, Malawi is among the least developed countries in the world, but also a place where you can experience the unrivaled combination of landscapes, wildlife, lake and cultures.


Tourism

Malawi has a great topographical contrast ranging from high rising mountains, trout streams, lakes, national parks and game reserves, valleys and a rich cultural heritage to offer visitors. The country is in the process of repositioning itself as a leading eco-tourism destination with many eco-tourism projects going on.

Airport

Lilongwe International Airport, also known as Kamuzu International Airport is the international airport of Malawi, handling no more than 5 international flights per day. Chileka International Airport, situated in Blantyre, offers direct flights from South Africa.

Airlines

The following airlines offer direct or one-stop flights from South Africa (Cape Town or Johannesburg) to one of the two international airports in Malawi:

What to see / do

  • Africa Street Market – Great buys and original artworks
  • Cape Maclear – A small fishing village and a leading tourist destination
  • Kuti Wildlife Park - Highlighting the importance of conservation.
  • Lake Malawi – The third largest and second deepest lake in Africa.
  • Lake Malawi National Park – The first freshwater national park in the world, an area of exceptional natural beauty
  • Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary and Wildlife Center – A wildlife rescue, conservation and education centre
  • Mount Mulanje – A remarkable natural resource with a stunning forest reserve which is home to a rich and diverse endemic plant and animal species.
  • Senga Bay - Offering visitors a beautiful beach, campsites, hotel and some of the best curios in Malawi.
  • Zomba Plateau – Malawi's oldest forest reserve, with waterfalls and walking trails amidst the forests

Events

General Info

English is the official language of Malawi although a number of indigenous languages are widely spoken. The most common indigenous language is Chichewa, the language of the Chewa people.

In towns and villages you will only find small supermarkets, while large supermarkets and European style shops are almost exclusively found in Lilongwe and Blantyre. Markets and roadside vendors are very popular with tourists and sell attractive souvenirs such as wood carvings and other goods made by local artists. Shops and offices open and close earlier in the day than is the custom in most European or American countries.

Currency

The currency of Malawi is the kwacha that replaced the Malawian pound in 1971. The kwacha is divided into 100 tambala and in June 2010 one Osuth African rand was equal to 19,4475 kwacha.

Weather

May to mid-November, the dry season in Malawi, is known as the best time of the year for tourists. From May to July the landscape is green, lush and attractive and temperatures are cooler. October to November is great for wildlife viewing, but temperatures can become uncomfortably hot during these two months.

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