Travel Guide
Getting to Malawi
Essential information to help you plan your journey to Salima, Malawi for our wedding celebration.
Getting There
Salima is located about 110km (1.5 hours drive) east of Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi.
Main Airport: Lilongwe International Airport (Kamuzu Airport, LLW) is the primary international gateway.
Major Airlines: Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, and Airlink serve Malawi with connections through Addis Ababa, Nairobi, and Johannesburg.
Car Hire: There are car hire companies based in Lilongwe with desks at the airport. A couple of reliable, well-priced companies are SS Rent A Car and Ambassador Car Hire. See Malawi Tourism for more information.
Visa Requirements
Visa: Most nationalities now require a visa. Check with the Malawi Immigration Department or your nearest Malawian embassy.
Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date.
Currency Declaration: You must declare all foreign currency when entering Malawi.
Health & Vaccinations
Vaccinations: Yellow fever certificate is required if you have recently travelled to a country with a yellow fever risk.
Malaria Prevention: Anti-malarial medication is strongly recommended. You can buy a mosquito repellent in most local shops in Malawi and mosquito nets are provided in most hotel rooms.
Money & Currency
Local Currency: Malawian Kwacha (MWK). USD is accepted at some hotels.
Cash: Carry cash as credit cards are not widely accepted outside major hotels. Please remember to activate you ATM cards for use in Malawi.
Weather & What to Pack
August in Malawi is during the dry season - expect warm days and cooler evenings by the lake.
Temperature: Daytime: 20-25°C. Evenings can be cooler, around 15°C.
Essentials: Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, light layers for evenings, comfortable walking shoes, and swimwear.
Dress Code: See our dress code guide for wedding attire suggestions.
Safety Tips
General: Exercise normal precautions. Keep valuables secure and be aware of your surroundings.
Water: We recommend that you drink bottled water.
Sun: The African sun is strong - apply sunscreen regularly and stay hydrated.
Where to Stay
Accommodation options near Senga Bay, from luxury resorts to comfortable lodges.
Luxury & Upscale
- Sunbird Livingstonia: Beachfront hotel in Senga Bay with pool, restaurant, and new conference centre.
- Sunbird Waterfront: Modern 42-room resort with beach-facing rooms, watersports, and lake views.
- Sigelege Beach Resort: 50+ rooms including beachside villas and family suites on Senga Bay.
Mid-Range & Lodges
- Blue Waters Lake Resort: Private beach, pool, and restaurant with Indian and international cuisine.
- Joma Adventure Lodge: Eight en-suite rooms at Leopard Bay with private balconies and lake views.
- Safari Beach Lodge: Hillside lodge in Senga Hills Forest Reserve with private beach and stone chalets.
- Kumbali Lake Retreat: Eco-lodge with thatched chalets on Lifuwu hillside. No wifi or phone signal, a true digital detox by the lake.
What to Do
From boat trips and snorkelling to local markets and wildlife reserves, there's plenty to explore around Lake Malawi. We'll keep updating this list.
Explore on Google MapsQuestions?
If you have any questions about traveling to Malawi, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to help make your journey as smooth as possible.