Malawian people are incredibly warm and welcoming, known for their genuine hospitality and kindness. They often greet visitors with open arms and are quick to offer assistance or share a meal. Their sense of community is strong, and they take pride …
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Backpacking Malawi in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in Malawi with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Visit Malawi
Welcome to Malawi, the 'Warm Heart of Africa,' where pristine landscapes and friendly locals create a backpacker's haven. Pros? Immerse yourself in the tranquility of Lake Malawi, explore wildlife-rich national parks, and enjoy budget-friendly accommodations. The warmth of the people is unmatched. However, transportation can be less reliable, and tourist infrastructure is developing. For the backpacker seeking authenticity, Malawi stands out as a serene and culturally rich destination, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and warm hospitality that sets it apart on the African continent.
Why to go?Why backpacking in Malawi
People
Uniqueness
Exploring Malawi is a unique and off the beaten track experience due to its untouched natural beauty and authentic cultural encounters. The country is often referred to as the "warm heart of Africa" because of the friendly and welcoming nature of …
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Mountains
The Mulanje Massif in Malawi is a great mountain range to explore. It is a granite inselberg that rises dramatically from the surrounding plains, offering stunning views and challenging hiking opportunities. The massif is home to numerous peaks, …
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Wildlife
Malawi is great for seeing wildlife because it is home to several national parks and reserves that offer diverse ecosystems and a wide variety of animal species. One of the most famous parks in Malawi is Liwonde National Park, located along the …
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Cheap
The average cost for backpacking in Malawi can vary depending on your travel style and preferences. On average, budget backpackers can expect to spend around $20 to $30 per day, which includes accommodation in budget hostels or guesthouses, local …
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💡 HighlightsTop-5 things to do in Malawi
- Lake Malawi: This stunning freshwater lake is the third-largest in Africa and offers a range of activities such as swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. It is also home to a diverse array of fish species, making it a popular spot for diving and fishing.
- Liwonde National Park: This national park is known for its rich wildlife, including elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species. Visitors can enjoy game drives, boat safaris, and walking tours to experience the beauty of Malawi’s natural habitat.
- Mount Mulanje: This majestic mountain offers breathtaking views and is a paradise for hikers and climbers. With its numerous trails and stunning waterfalls, Mount Mulanje is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure and natural beauty.
- Zomba Plateau: This scenic plateau is a peaceful retreat with lush forests, stunning viewpoints, and picturesque waterfalls. It is an ideal destination for hiking, birdwatching, and enjoying a picnic amidst nature’s tranquility.
- Chongoni Rock Art Area: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to ancient rock art dating back thousands of years. Exploring the rock art sites provides a fascinating glimpse into Malawi’s rich cultural heritage and the artistic expressions of its early inhabitants.
But Malawi offers more...
🌤️ When to go?Best time to go backpacking Malawi
The best time to visit Malawi for backpacking is during the dry season, which runs from May to October. This period offers pleasant weather with less rainfall, making it easier to explore the country's natural beauty and engage in outdoor activities. The temperatures are also cooler during this time, making it more comfortable for hiking and other adventures. However, it's worth noting that Malawi can be visited year-round, and each season has its own unique charm.
Risk level: medium (50%)Safety advice for Malawi
- Petty crime, such as bag snatching and theft is common, including on public transport. Keep your valuables out of sight.
- Violent crime includes burglary, carjacking and food and drink spiking. Crime hotspots include bus and ferry terminals, and the walk between Lilongwe Old Town and the Capital City. Avoid walking at night, particularly in urban areas. Don't accept food or drink from strangers.
- The Mulanje district is a high-risk area for crime. Dangers include unrest, property damage, intimidation and violence.
- Before climbing Mount Mulanje, contact the Mountain Club of Malawi for safety advice.
- Attacks on women wearing pants, leggings and short skirts have occurred in Blantyre, Mzuzu and Zomba. Women travellers in these areas may want to avoid wearing close-fitting clothing and should remain aware of their surroundings.
- Protests often occur in market areas. They can turn violent. Avoid large public gatherings.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
MalawiMy tips to get you on the way!Does Malawi sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Malawi. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Malawi may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Malawi. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Malawi may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Malawi, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Malawi, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
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Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 29 September 2024