Getting to and around in Malawi can have its challenges, and we advise that this is planned and organised with a knowledgeable tour operator only.

Access into Malawi by air is either to Blantyre in the south or the capital, Lilongwe. There are no direct flights from Europe or the US, though you can connect via Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Dubai, Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg. There are some indications that flights from Mfuwe in Zambia will switch to scheduled services, though this has been "on and off the cards" for some time now.

Transfers by road will always be challenging, due to the poor quality of some of the roads, and large road, infrastructure & construction projects. The seasonal rains can be hugely destructive to the roads, creating craters the size of small lakes! Self-driving can be very rewarding, but you will need to factor in petrol shortages, road conditions, car hire quality, weather and other factors - making this both challenging and unpredictable.

Lodges in wilderness locations offer a more rustic experience. Many are in remote areas and may not have the facilities of larger hotels. However, we choose wisely, prioritising the luxury of experience over unnecessary amenities. We carefully rate hotels and lodges using our "Tent Rating", which takes in the overall accommodation offering, service and quality of experience. See a description of the rating in each accommodation listing.

Wildlife and nature lodges typically work on what we refer to as "Safari All Inclusive", where the offering in most cases includes two drives or boat trips per day (morning and afternoon), additional activities particular to the area, the game experience and topography, such as walking safaris, spoor tracking, hide visits, etc. All meals are also included, and often all drinks (soft, wines, spirits) excluding premium brands.

The day typically starts early with coffee/tea and a snack breakfast, followed by a game drive, a hearty breakfast or brunch back at the lodge and then time to relax. The afternoon drive usually departs late afternoon and concludes with a sundowner on the way back. Aim to arrive in time for an afternoon game drive and leave after your morning drive on departure day.

For more information about specific regions, visit "Places to Visit" and for more detailed travel details, visit "Travel Essentials".