--- title: "Bicycle touring in Malawi | Cycle Planet" description: "Twenty percent is occupied by Lake Malawi. Malawi borders Tanzania to the north, Zambia to the west and Mozambique to the south and east. The highest peak…" canonical_url: "https://cycleplanet.org/countries/malawi" meta: "og:description": "Twenty percent is occupied by Lake Malawi. Malawi borders Tanzania to the north, Zambia to the west and Mozambique to the south and east. The highest peak…" "og:image": "https://cycleplanet.org/_og/d/c_Blauwdruk%2Ctitle_Bicycle%2Btouring%2Bin%2BMalawi%2Cdescription_~VHdlbnR5IHBlcmNlbnQgaXMgb2NjdXBpZWQgYnkgTGFrZSBNYWxhd2kuIE1hbGF3aSBib3JkZXJzIFRhbnphbmlhIHRvIHRoZSBub3J0aCwgWmFtYmlhIHRvIHRoZSB3ZXN0IGFuZCBNb3phbWJpcXVlIHRvIHRoZSBzb3V0aCBhbmQgZWFzdC4gVGhlIGhpZ2hlc3TigKY%2Cheadline_Eastern%2BAfrica%2CsiteName_Cycle%2BPlanet%2Clogo_CP%2Cp_Ii9jb3VudHJpZXMvbWFsYXdpIg%2Cs_yOXy3Ce7OBQ6qcj8.png" "og:image:height": "600" "og:image:type": image/png "og:image:width": "1200" "og:title": "Bicycle touring in Malawi" "twitter:image": "https://cycleplanet.org/_og/d/c_Blauwdruk%2Ctitle_Bicycle%2Btouring%2Bin%2BMalawi%2Cdescription_~VHdlbnR5IHBlcmNlbnQgaXMgb2NjdXBpZWQgYnkgTGFrZSBNYWxhd2kuIE1hbGF3aSBib3JkZXJzIFRhbnphbmlhIHRvIHRoZSBub3J0aCwgWmFtYmlhIHRvIHRoZSB3ZXN0IGFuZCBNb3phbWJpcXVlIHRvIHRoZSBzb3V0aCBhbmQgZWFzdC4gVGhlIGhpZ2hlc3TigKY%2Cheadline_Eastern%2BAfrica%2CsiteName_Cycle%2BPlanet%2Clogo_CP%2Cp_Ii9jb3VudHJpZXMvbWFsYXdpIg%2Cs_yOXy3Ce7OBQ6qcj8.png" --- > Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://cycleplanet.org/llms.txt) Eastern Africa # Malawi [**View on the map**](https://cycleplanet.org/map?at=-13.254308,34.301525,6.5) [** Download GPX (1) **](https://cycleplanet.org/api/gpx/MW) ## **About ** Twenty percent is occupied by Lake Malawi. Malawi borders Tanzania to the north, Zambia to the west and Mozambique to the south and east. The highest peak is over 3000 meters high and the lowlands are almost at sea level. These great contrasts make Malawi's landscape one of the most varied in Africa. Last updated 27 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/malawi/edit/about) ## **People ** Incredibly nice people. The main reason to go here! A striking number of people speak quite a bit of English. Many just one sentence (give me money) You won't have any communication problem. In the north they speak little / no English, but Tumbuku. Yet they always round up someone who can speak English. Last updated 27 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/malawi/edit/people) ## **Visa ** Most nationalities need a visa. Visa policy of Malawi Malawi Visa exemption Visa on arrival or eVisa eVisa Source: [**Wikipedia**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Malawi). Last updated 15 Mar 2021 by [Bas Idsinga](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/ieMGYdJeX6ZyKgKeeGhMXPFZkax2) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/malawi/edit/visa) ## **Where to get a visa for Malawi **(1) Sorted by most likes 1. [![Embassy](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/Embassy.png)**1. E-visa for Malawi**Online visaWe don't have experience with getting this visa. Please share yours if you have recent experience.](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/1ea045a7-d52c-42c8-9838-f31b1837f6bf) ## **Sleeping ** ### **(Formal) camping** Camping is often possible at hotels or other venues. There are many campsites and lodges run by whites (mostly English). They want their income in dollars, so the prices are right here. The advantage is that you can come for a while and do not eat Nsima for a night. Jeffrey: "Pitching a tent at a village is allowed. However, always ask permission from the chief of the village first." ### **Ho(s)tels** At eateries there are sometimes simple accommodation options, the so-called trucker stops. Especially in trading centers there are always a number of guesthouses. ### **Wild camping** Wild camping attracts a lot of attention from the locals. Last updated 27 May 2021 by [Bas Idsinga](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/ieMGYdJeX6ZyKgKeeGhMXPFZkax2) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/malawi/edit/sleeping) ## **Safety ** It is advisable to pay from a small wallet on the go. The smaller and thinner your stock market, the less wealthy you are estimated. Or do as the locals do: collect as much change as possible and keep it in a plastic bag. ### **Traffic** Traffic runs fairly smoothly. Except in and around Lilongwe and Blantyre, there are not many cars. You drive on the left. John: "I didn't think the traffic was good at all. A mirror is indispensable: cars expect you to shoot into the verge as they approach and want to overtake you. If you also have an oncoming vehicle, they will still overtake you and there is really no more room for your bike." Last updated 27 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/malawi/edit/safety) ## **Transport ** ### **Bus** There are buses but they are not very frequent, on Sundays sometimes not at all. Bringing bicycles with you is no problem. Mini vans run regularly between the villages and towns. Marianne: "My experience is that taking the bicycle with you on the bus is not that easy. You want to take every bus with you, but few have the facilities to do that properly. The National Bus Company has a large rack on the back of the roof where you can put your bike. Do bring a few lashing straps." ### **Boat** A boat sails across Lake Malawi that visits various places and islands. There are cabins with beds on board. You can bring the bike. Last updated 27 May 2021 by [Bas Idsinga](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/ieMGYdJeX6ZyKgKeeGhMXPFZkax2) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/malawi/edit/transport) ## **Food and drink ** There is plenty of fruit on the market. There are small and cheap shops everywhere. In addition, in the larger towns there are good (super) markets and shops with Western items at Western prices. Along the way you will meet people who "offer donuts bread or fruit for sale." **Restaurants** Restaurants mainly serve chicken, fish, rice, nsima and chips. **Drinkable water** Many travelers drink the tap water, but many also get sick. You can consider bringing a water filter or disinfectants. Bottled water is widely available in 1.5 liter bottles, in addition of course the indispensable coca-cola. There is a water pump in almost every village. We filtered the water with a Katadyne water filter. Not cheap, but safe. Last updated 27 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/malawi/edit/foodDrink) ## **Vaccinations & health ** - A yellow fever vaccination is not required for a visit to Malawi when traveling directly from the Netherlands. This is mandatory when traveling through a neighboring country in the yellow fever area. - DTP and Hepatitis A are recommended as well as the use of anti-malaria pills. - The road from Lilogwe to Nkotakhota goes right through a park. That is of course very interesting, but there are a lot of tsetse flies here. Last updated 27 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/malawi/edit/health) ## **Other ** **Nice routes and places** - If you want to visit a "real" game park, South Luanga Park is recommended, just across the border in Zambia. You can cycle here from Chipata in a day, 135 km mostly unpaved. Make sure you arrive before dark because of stray animals (lions, elephants, hippos, etc.). - Janneke: Majete National Park near Blantyre is really on the rise! This is now also a full-fledged park with opportunities to see the Big5, professionally run by African Parks - Highlights of Ton and Henk's journey: Mua Mission, Sucoma Estate, Zomba plateau. Mvuu Camp, boat trip on Lake Malawi. Pleasant places: Balaka, Zomba, Nhkata Bay. Overall impression: good and safe cycling country with dry weather. - Bert's highlights: Nyika plateau, Rumpti, Nakatabay, the road from Monkeybay to Zomba and the road from Bangula to the Mozambique border. - Jeffrey: It's nice to dive inland for once, it's doable. - From lilongwe to the north (M1 or inland): no 'Give me money!' Beautiful nature: Vipha Mountains, Nyika Plateau. Nice cheap game park: Vwaza Marsh NP **Best time to cycle** - The dry season runs from April to November with temperatures of 20-30 degrees. - June to August is a great time to travel in Malawi. It cools down in the evening and at night. It is advisable to bring warm clothes, a sweater and long pants. Sometimes a very strong wind blows from south to north. - In the rainy season from December to March it is much warmer and many roads are impassable. - In mid-May 2012, it was still raining every day north of Rumphi: the roads were very bad there. The rainy season seems to end later and later in recent years. **Spare parts** The locals cycle a lot and there are bicycle repair places, but it is doubtful whether they have the right equipment for Western bicycles. You regularly see counterfeit Shimano parts in markets such as brakes, derailleurs, brake and gear cables and, occasionally, a 26-inch tire. People are resourceful and helpful in an emergency. Last updated 27 May 2021 by [Bas Idsinga](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/ieMGYdJeX6ZyKgKeeGhMXPFZkax2) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/malawi/edit/other) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#website","@type":"WebSite","description":"Cycle Planet is the bicycle touring platform: visas, border crossings, places to sleep and points of interest per country, and a community of cyclists who host each other.","name":"Cycle Planet","url":"https://cycleplanet.org/","publisher":{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#identity"}},{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/malawi#webpage","@type":"WebPage","description":"Twenty percent is occupied by Lake Malawi. Malawi borders Tanzania to the north, Zambia to the west and Mozambique to the south and east. 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