🇲🇼 Flights to Blantyre
Cheap Flights to Blantyre from the UK
Find the best deals on flights to Chileka International Airport (BLZ). Dream Fare specialises in Malawi routes with the best prices for Blantyre — Malawi’s commercial capital and gateway to Mount Mulanje, Zomba Plateau and the beautiful Shire Highlands.
Airlines to Blantyre
All Airlines Flying London to Blantyre
Blantyre 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 Blantyre
| Airline | Cabin Bag | Hold Baggage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian Airlines | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Best two-piece allowance on the route |
| Kenya Airways | 1 bag up to 12kg | 1 x 23kg | Extra bags purchasable at booking |
| Emirates | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Flex fares may vary — confirm at booking |
| Qatar Airways | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Excellent for families with extra luggage |
| Turkish Airlines | 1 bag up to 8kg | 2 x 23kg | Generous two-piece standard economy |
| South African Airways | 1 bag up to 7kg | 1 x 23kg | Extra bags purchasable at booking |
When to Visit
Best Time to Visit Blantyre & Malawi
Malawi has a tropical climate with a distinct wet and dry season. Blantyre is in the Shire Highlands at 1,040 metres altitude 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 26°C). Excellent for trekking on Mount Mulanje and Zomba Plateau. Lake Malawi is at its finest. Wildlife viewing is good. Most popular period for UK visitors.
Peak Trekking
July — August
The finest months for trekking Mount Mulanje and Zomba Plateau. Cool and dry (12°C to 22°C at altitude) with clear skies and excellent visibility. Book mountain huts in advance for this popular trekking period.
Wet Season
Nov — April
The rainy season brings daily afternoon downpours (November to April). The landscape is spectacularly green and lush. Lowest fares of the year. Birdwatching is excellent as migratory species arrive. Some roads outside Blantyre can be challenging.
Shoulder Season
April — May
The rains ease in April and Malawi begins to dry out. The landscape is beautiful and green after the rains. Excellent value fares before the peak dry season. Good transition period for both trekking and lake holidays.
About Blantyre
Blantyre — Malawi’s Commercial Heart
Blantyre is Malawi’s largest city and commercial capital — a vibrant city in the beautiful Shire Highlands with a Scottish colonial heritage (named after David Livingstone’s birthplace in Scotland). The gateway to Africa’s highest peak south of Kilimanjaro, extraordinary tea estates, the Zomba Plateau and the southern shores of Lake Malawi — the Lake of Stars.
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Mount Mulanje
The magnificent Mount Mulanje — the highest peak in Central Africa at 3,002 metres — rises dramatically from the Shire plains 65km from Blantyre. The Mulanje Massif offers extraordinary multi-day trekking routes between mountain huts maintained by the Mountain Club of Malawi, rare endemic plants (the Mulanje cedar found nowhere else), endemic chameleons and spectacular views across southern Malawi and into Mozambique.
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Tea Estates of Thyolo & Mulanje
Malawi is one of the world’s finest tea producers and the Thyolo and Mulanje highlands around Blantyre are carpeted with beautiful green tea estates. The Satemwa Tea Estate (established 1923) near Thyolo offers guided tea tours, tastings of rare artisan teas and accommodation in the beautifully restored original estate buildings. The rolling hills of tea under the shadow of Mount Mulanje are one of Africa’s most beautiful landscapes.
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Zomba Plateau
The beautiful Zomba Plateau rises to 2,087 metres above the old colonial capital of Zomba — 45 minutes from Blantyre. The plateau has extraordinary panoramic views across the Shire Valley to Mozambique, endemic bird species, beautiful montane forest walks, trout fishing in the clear highland streams and the comfortable old Government Resthouse at the summit. One of the finest highland landscapes in Central Africa.
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Blantyre Heritage
Blantyre has some of Malawi’s most important heritage buildings. The Church of St Michael and All Angels (1888) — built by Scottish missionaries using local materials and entirely local labour with no professional builders involved — is one of the most remarkable buildings in Central Africa. The Mandala House (1882) is the oldest surviving building in Malawi. The Museum of Malawi has excellent collections of Malawian history and culture.
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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), Kondowole (cassava chips), Chikanda (a savoury cake made from wild orchid tubers — known as African sausage), Mandazi (fried doughnuts) and Chibuku shake-shake (traditional sorghum beer) are all essential Malawian food experiences.
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Gateway to Lake Malawi
Blantyre is the gateway to the southern end of Lake Malawi — the Lake of Stars. The beautiful lake beaches at Cape Maclear (Nankhumba Peninsula — 2.5 hours from Blantyre) are a UNESCO World Heritage Site with extraordinary clear warm water, remarkable freshwater snorkelling with hundreds of endemic cichlid species, dhow sailing and the most relaxed lake holiday atmosphere in Africa. Monkey Bay and Mangochi are also easily accessible from Blantyre.
Top Places to Visit Around Blantyre
Mount Mulanje
The highest mountain in Central Africa — 65km from Blantyre. The Mulanje Massif rises dramatically from the surrounding plains and offers multi-day trekking between mountain huts with extraordinary views, rare endemic wildlife and the Mulanje cedar (a tree found nowhere else on earth). The ascent from Likhubula at the base takes 4 to 6 hours. The mountain has 20 peaks over 2,500 metres.
Zomba Plateau
45 minutes from Blantyre — the Zomba Plateau is one of the finest highland landscapes in Central Africa. The old government resthouse at the top (still operating) offers comfortable accommodation with panoramic views. Forest walks, trout fishing in the streams, waterfalls, endemic birds and the extraordinary views across the Shire Valley make Zomba an unmissable experience from Blantyre.
Satemwa Tea Estate
One of the finest tea estates in Africa — the Satemwa estate near Thyolo (40 minutes from Blantyre) has been producing exceptional tea since 1923. Guided tea tours show the complete process from leaf to cup. The estate guesthouse offers accommodation in the beautifully restored colonial manager’s house. The estate’s artisan tea range is extraordinary and available for purchase.
Cape Maclear (Lake Malawi UNESCO)
2.5 hours from Blantyre on the southern lakeshore — Cape Maclear is one of Lake Malawi’s finest beach areas and part of the Lake Malawi National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The crystal-clear warm water, extraordinary cichlid snorkelling, dhow trips to the offshore islands and the relaxed backpacker atmosphere make Cape Maclear one of Africa’s great lake destinations.
Church of St Michael and All Angels
One of the most remarkable buildings in Central Africa — built in Blantyre by Scottish missionaries in 1888 using entirely local materials and local labour with no professional builders. The builders taught themselves architecture from books and the result is an extraordinary building with arches, towers and domes of remarkable ambition. A testament to the extraordinary determination of the early missionaries in Malawi.
Majete Wildlife Reserve
90 minutes from Blantyre — Majete Wildlife Reserve was restocked with wildlife in one of Africa’s most successful conservation programmes. The Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo — all now roam Majete after being virtually eliminated during Malawi’s civil conflict period. Majete is managed by African Parks and offers excellent game viewing and community benefit.
Travel Tips
Blantyre Travel Guide
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Visa for Malawi
UK citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Chileka International Airport in Blantyre. 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 Blantyre hotels and supermarkets but cash is essential elsewhere. ATMs are available in Blantyre city centre. The exchange rate is approximately 1,750 MWK to 1 GBP. Bring sufficient USD or GBP cash.
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Getting Around Blantyre
Blantyre is a relatively compact city. Taxis are widely available and affordable. Minibus shared taxis serve the main routes. For Mount Mulanje and Zomba Plateau, hire a car or join an organised day tour. 4x4 vehicles are recommended for the mountain roads in the wet season. Car hire is available from Blantyre Airport.
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SIM Cards & Data
TNM (Telecom Networks Malawi) and Airtel Malawi are the main networks. SIM cards are available at Chileka Airport on arrival. 4G coverage is reasonable in Blantyre city centre and improving. Coverage becomes limited in the Mulanje and Zomba highland areas. Download offline maps and hiking guides before visiting the mountains.
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Weather in Blantyre
Blantyre sits at 1,040 metres altitude in the Shire Highlands giving it a pleasantly mild climate. The dry season (May to October) is warm and sunny (18°C to 26°C) with cool nights. The wet season (November to April) brings daily afternoon downpours with higher temperatures (24°C to 32°C). Blantyre is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
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Safety in Blantyre
Blantyre 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. The city centre and main commercial areas are safe during the day. Malawians are renowned for their extraordinary friendliness and warmth — Malawi is called the Warm Heart of Africa with good reason.
Flights to Blantyre FAQ
How do I fly from London to Blantyre?
Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is the most popular and convenient routing to Blantyre. Kenya Airways via Nairobi is another good option. Emirates via Dubai and Qatar Airways via Doha also serve Blantyre. 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 Blantyre and Lilongwe airports?
Blantyre's Chileka International Airport (BLZ) serves southern Malawi and is the best arrival point for Mount Mulanje, Zomba Plateau, Cape Maclear and Majete Wildlife Reserve. Lilongwe's Kamuzu International Airport (LLW) is the main international hub for central and northern Malawi. Many travellers fly into Lilongwe and out of Blantyre or vice versa.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Malawi?
UK citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Chileka Airport in Blantyre 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 do I climb Mount Mulanje?
Mount Mulanje is accessed from the town of Mulanje at the base of the mountain, 65km from Blantyre. The most popular ascent is via the Likhubula Forest Station. The Mountain Club of Malawi maintains a network of huts on the plateau. Guides are required and can be arranged at the forest station. The ascent to the plateau takes 4 to 6 hours on the main routes.
What is Malawi called the Warm Heart of Africa?
Malawi is called the Warm Heart of Africa because of the extraordinary friendliness and warmth of the Malawian people. Despite being one of the world’s poorest countries, Malawi consistently impresses visitors with the genuine hospitality, helpfulness and cheerfulness of its people. It is one of the most rewarding African countries to visit precisely because of the human experience.
How much do return flights from London to Blantyre cost?
Return flights from London to Blantyre start from approximately £649 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.