🇲🇼 Flights to Lilongwe
Cheap Flights to Lilongwe from the UK
Find the best deals on flights to Kamuzu International Airport (LLW). Dream Fare specialises in Malawi routes with the best prices for Lilongwe — Malawi’s capital city and gateway to Lake Malawi, one of Africa’s most beautiful and welcoming countries.
Airlines to Lilongwe
All Airlines Flying London to Lilongwe
Lilongwe is served via connections through East and Southern African hubs. We compare every routing to find your best price for Malawi.
Baggage Allowances — London to Lilongwe
| Airline | Cabin Bag | Hold Baggage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian Airlines | 1 bag up to 7kg | Usually 2 x 23kg | Confirm on your fare at booking |
| Kenya Airways | 1 bag up to 12kg | 1 x 23kg | Extra bags purchasable at booking |
When to Visit
Best Time to Visit Lilongwe & Malawi
Malawi has a tropical climate with a distinct wet and dry season. Lilongwe sits at 1,050 metres altitude on the central plateau giving it a pleasant climate year-round. Malawi is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
Dry Season
May — October
The best time to visit Malawi. Dry, sunny and warm (18°C to 27°C). Excellent for wildlife viewing at Liwonde and Nkhotakota, Lake Malawi holidays and visiting the central plateau. Most popular period for UK visitors.
Cool Dry Season
June — August
The coolest months of the year (12°C to 24°C) with clear skies and excellent visibility. Ideal for wildlife safaris and Lake Malawi activities. Comfortable temperatures throughout the day with cool evenings.
Wet Season
Nov — April
The rainy season brings daily afternoon downpours (November to April). The landscape is spectacularly green and lush across the central plateau. Lowest fares of the year. Birdwatching is excellent as migratory species arrive.
Hot Dry Season
Sep — October
The hottest part of the dry season (24°C to 33°C) before the rains arrive. Wildlife concentrates around remaining water sources making game viewing exceptional. Good value fares before the wet season.
About Lilongwe
Lilongwe — Heart of the Warm Heart of Africa
Lilongwe is Malawi’s capital city — a relaxed, green city on the central plateau that serves as the political and administrative heart of the country famously known as the Warm Heart of Africa. The gateway to Lake Malawi (the third-largest lake in Africa), the Nyika Plateau, exceptional wildlife reserves and some of the most genuinely welcoming people on the African continent.
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Lake Malawi (UNESCO)
The third-largest lake in Africa and one of the most biodiverse freshwater ecosystems on earth — Lake Malawi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to more fish species than any other lake in the world, including over 700 species of cichlid found nowhere else. The lake’s beaches at Senga Bay, Cape Maclear and Nkhata Bay offer some of Africa’s most relaxed and beautiful freshwater holiday destinations, just hours from Lilongwe.
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Nyika National Park
Malawi’s largest and most spectacular national park — the Nyika Plateau rises to 2,600 metres in extraordinary rolling montane grassland that feels more like Scotland than tropical Africa. Zebra, eland, leopard, extraordinary wildflowers (over 200 orchid species) and some of the most beautiful scenery in Central Africa make Nyika one of Malawi’s most rewarding and least-visited wilderness areas.
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Liwonde National Park
Malawi’s premier wildlife destination — 3 hours from Lilongwe along the Shire River. Liwonde has one of the highest densities of elephants in Africa, black rhino (reintroduced through African Parks conservation), hippos, crocodiles and over 400 bird species. River safaris along the Shire River are spectacular and the park has been transformed through successful conservation partnership.
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Lilongwe City
Lilongwe has an unusual dual character — the Old Town with its busy markets, shops and African energy, and the City Centre with government buildings, embassies and a more orderly planned layout (Lilongwe became the capital in 1975, replacing Zomba). The Kamuzu Mausoleum, Lilongwe Wildlife Centre (Malawi’s only wildlife sanctuary, rescuing animals from the illegal pet trade) and Four Seasons craft market are all worth visiting.
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Malawian Cuisine
Nsima (thick maize porridge — the Malawian staple eaten at every meal with relish), Chambo fish (the extraordinary cichlid from Lake Malawi — widely considered the finest freshwater fish in Africa), Ndiwo (relish of vegetables, beans or dried fish), Mandazi (fried doughnuts), Chikanda (a savoury cake made from wild orchid tubers) and Chibuku shake-shake (traditional sorghum beer) are all essential Malawian food experiences.
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Warm Heart of Africa
Malawi’s nickname — the Warm Heart of Africa — reflects the extraordinary genuine friendliness of Malawian people, consistently rated among the most welcoming in the world by travellers. Despite being one of the world’s least developed economies, Malawi’s people approach visitors with remarkable warmth, curiosity and hospitality that makes travelling here one of Africa’s most rewarding human experiences.
Top Places to Visit Around Lilongwe
Lake Malawi National Park (UNESCO)
2 to 3 hours from Lilongwe — Lake Malawi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s most beautiful freshwater lakes. Cape Maclear, Senga Bay and Nkhata Bay all offer beautiful beaches, world-class freshwater snorkelling with hundreds of endemic cichlid species, dhow sailing and the most relaxed lakeside holiday atmosphere in Africa. The lake stretches 580km — Africa’s third-largest by surface area.
Liwonde National Park
3 hours south of Lilongwe along the Shire River — Liwonde is Malawi’s finest wildlife destination, managed by African Parks. One of the highest elephant densities in Africa, reintroduced black rhino, hippos, crocodiles and exceptional birdlife make Liwonde a genuinely world-class safari destination. River boat safaris along the Shire River are spectacular and far less crowded than comparable parks elsewhere in Africa.
Nyika National Park
A full day’s drive (or short flight) from Lilongwe — the Nyika Plateau at 2,600 metres is Malawi’s largest park and one of its most extraordinary landscapes. Rolling montane grassland with extraordinary wildflower displays (over 200 orchid species), zebra, eland and leopard, plus spectacular hiking and horseback safaris make Nyika one of Africa’s most unique and underexplored wilderness experiences.
Lilongwe Wildlife Centre
Within Lilongwe city itself — Malawi’s only wildlife sanctuary rescues animals from the illegal pet trade and provides sanctuary for orphaned and injured wildlife. The centre offers guided walks, a forest reserve within the city and important conservation education. An excellent half-day activity for visitors with limited time in Lilongwe before or after onward travel.
Kamuzu Mausoleum & Capital Hill
Lilongwe’s City Centre area has the Kamuzu Mausoleum (the resting place of Malawi’s first president, Hastings Kamuzu Banda), the New Parliament Building and Capital Hill government complex. The contrast between this planned modern capital district and the bustling, colourful Old Town markets nearby gives visitors a complete picture of contemporary Malawi.
Dedza Mountain & Pottery
90 minutes from Lilongwe — Dedza Mountain has beautiful forest scenery, ancient rock art (Chongoni Rock Art Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the richest collection of rock art in Central Africa) and the famous Dedza Pottery, producing high-quality ceramics. An excellent and easily accessible day trip combining history, art and beautiful highland scenery.
Travel Tips
Lilongwe Travel Guide
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Visa for Malawi
UK citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe. A 30-day tourist visa costs approximately $75 USD payable in cash. Alternatively apply online at evisa.gov.mw before travel. A 90-day visa is also available. Dream Fare will advise on the latest Malawi entry requirements for UK passport holders.
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Currency & Money
Malawi uses the Malawian Kwacha (MWK). USD is widely accepted in hotels and tourist establishments. Cards are accepted in major Lilongwe hotels and supermarkets but cash is essential elsewhere, particularly at the lake and in national parks. ATMs are available in Lilongwe city centre. The exchange rate is approximately 1,750 MWK to 1 GBP.
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Getting Around Lilongwe
Lilongwe is a relatively compact and spread-out city. Taxis are widely available and affordable. For Lake Malawi and the national parks, hire a car or join an organised safari tour — 4x4 vehicles are recommended for some park roads especially in the wet season. Car hire and self-drive safaris are popular and well-supported in Malawi.
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SIM Cards & Data
TNM (Telecom Networks Malawi) and Airtel Malawi are the main networks. SIM cards are available at Kamuzu Airport on arrival. 4G coverage is reasonable in Lilongwe city centre and improving across the country. Coverage becomes limited in remote national parks and the Nyika Plateau. Download offline maps before travelling to wilderness areas.
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Weather in Lilongwe
Lilongwe sits at 1,050 metres altitude giving it a pleasantly mild climate year-round compared to lower-lying parts of Malawi. The dry season (May to October) is warm and sunny (18°C to 27°C) with cool nights, especially June to August. The wet season (November to April) brings daily afternoon downpours with higher temperatures. Lilongwe is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
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Safety in Lilongwe
Lilongwe is generally safe for visitors by African standards. Standard urban precautions apply — avoid displaying valuables, use trusted taxis after dark and be aware of your surroundings, particularly around the Old Town market. The City Centre area is calm and safe. Malawians are renowned for their extraordinary friendliness — the Warm Heart of Africa nickname is consistently earned.
Flights to Lilongwe FAQ
How do I fly from London to Lilongwe?
Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is the most popular and convenient routing to Lilongwe. Kenya Airways via Nairobi is another good option. Airlink via Johannesburg is another option. South African Airways via Johannesburg is excellent for combining South Africa and Malawi. Dream Fare will find the best routing for your travel dates.
What is the difference between Lilongwe and Blantyre airports?
Lilongwe's Kamuzu International Airport (LLW) is the main international hub serving central and northern Malawi — best for Lake Malawi, Nyika National Park and the central plateau. Blantyre's Chileka Airport serves southern Malawi — better for Mount Mulanje and Zomba Plateau. Many travellers fly into one and out of the other to see more of Malawi.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Malawi?
UK citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Kamuzu Airport in Lilongwe for approximately $75 USD. Alternatively apply online at evisa.gov.mw before travel. A 30-day or 90-day tourist visa is available. Dream Fare will advise on current entry requirements.
How far is Lake Malawi from Lilongwe?
Lake Malawi is accessible from Lilongwe in 2 to 3 hours by road. Senga Bay is the closest lakeshore area (approximately 2 hours), while Cape Maclear and Nkhata Bay take slightly longer but offer the finest beaches and snorkelling. Most visitors combine a few days in Lilongwe and the national parks with several days relaxing at the lake.
Is Lilongwe a good base for a Malawi safari?
Yes. Lilongwe is the ideal gateway for Liwonde National Park (3 hours), one of Africa’s finest and most successful conservation success stories with exceptional elephant viewing and reintroduced black rhino. The Nyika Plateau, Malawi’s most spectacular wilderness area, is also accessible from Lilongwe. Many excellent safari lodges can be combined with a Lake Malawi beach extension.
How much do return flights from London to Lilongwe cost?
Return flights from London to Lilongwe start from approximately £619 with Dream Fare. Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is typically the most competitive option. Contact us on 020 8264 0018 for the latest fares and Malawi travel advice.
* Prices are indicative from fares and subject to availability and change. Call 020 8264 0018 for current pricing.