Budget Guide To Malawi – Africa’s Budget Destination

Malawean Kwachas – Approx. 280 €

Type Of Travel

This travel in Malawi was a classical two-week trip with pleasant mid-range type of accommodation. On top, we rented a car. Three nights we even stayed in very nice, but pricey lodges.

Itinerary & Time Of The Visit

In August 2014 we traveled Malawi, named after the Maravi, an old name of the Nyanja people that inhabit the area. We crossed the border coming from the south, from Tete in Mozambique. These are the places we visited: Blantyre, Liwonde Natonal Park, Chongoni Rock Painting Area, Lilongwe, Nkhotakota, Nkhata Bay, Livingstonia and last but not least South Viphya Forest Reserve.

Having only two weeks, we decided to rent a car and drive ourselves, which gave us great flexibility and the possibility to go Off The Beaten Track.

Global Budget

Without the costs for international fights and visa fees, we spent 1.260 € per person for 14 days, that means 90 € per person per day, including some souvenirs… Here you find the break down of expenditures!

Hotels

There is a wide range of accommodation available in Malawi, from Backpacker Hostels to High-End Lodges, and a real choice of Midrange guesthouses, something we had very seldom experienced in Africa. So every budget should find the right type and price of accommodation.

Moreover, prices are fairly reasonable for Africa, which was something new for us… We spent on average 48 € per nights, including 3 nights in expensive Lodges in National Parks or Reserves. A very fair value considering the quality of accommodation we enjoyed.

Restaurants & Food

We spent on average 9,40 € per person per meal. Considering that we several times splurged, and all in all enjoyed good food and regular evening drinks, this seems absolutely reasonable for the type of travel we had chosen and the quality we got.

Drinks & Going Out

This is included in the Part Restaurants and Food.

Transport

Except when we entered Malawi from Mozambique, we had a rented car from Country Wide Malawi: a Suzuki Jimny, a small 4WD. The 4WD in itself was definitely not necessary, but the high clearance and the robustness of a 4WD were definitely no luxury in some parts of the trip (the ones more Off The Beaten Track) – Especially if you plan to go to Livingstonia, there is no way around it. We would definitely recommend to book this type of car, as it is ideal for 2 people.

We paid 59,10 € per day for the car rental, with insurance and on average 145 km per day (you pay for each kilometer, but the price is quite attractive).

Our Suzuki Jimny

Tours & Activities

The only tours we did in Malawi were in Liwonde National Park (very disappointing) and in Chongoni Rock Art Areas.

We went twice scuba diving in Nkhata Bay. Especially the Night Dive (50 USD) was spectacular.

Splurge At Reasonable Costs?

Renting a car was the biggest luxury we allowed us. It was a significant budget, but enabled us to be fully flexible, to win much time and to reach areas that we would have hardly reached, even with much time.

You can find very pleasant guesthouses and hotels in Malawi for a relatively reasonable price, so there again, splurging a little won’t kill (too much) your budget.

Reduce Costs?

Of course you can significantly reduce spendings by traveling on public transport and by only choosing hostels, that you can find in all major points of interest.

Malawi is actually the first country in Africa were we discovered a large network of good hostels, enabling backpacker on a budget to have a reasonable level of comfort for a reasonable price.