Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve
Getting There
Malawi Parks
Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Bradt guide to Malawi.
Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve is reasonably accessible, and can easily be incorporated into any itinerary of Malawi.
Most international visitors arrive via Kamuzu International Airport (LLW). The airport is about 26km/16mi from the capital, Lilongwe. A few international flights arrive at Chileka International Airport (BLZ), 16km/10mi from Blantyre.
Vwaza Marsh is in the north of the country, about 450km/280mi from Lilongwe and 760km/472mi from Blantyre. The drive from Lilongwe takes about 7 hours* and from Blantyre about 12 hours*. In both cases, the road passes through Mzuzu, the third-largest town in Malawi. A 4WD is advisable at all times and essential in the Wet season.
The drive between Vwaza Marsh and Nyika National Park’s main entrance gate at Thazima takes about 2 hours* and the distance is about 65km/40mi (but do note that it’s another 2 hours’ drive from Thazima to Chelinda Lodge and Camp, the only place to stay in Nyika).
There are no domestic flights to Vwaza Marsh. The closest airport served by scheduled flights is at Mzuzu (ZZU), which stands about 95km/60km (2 hours’ drive) from Vwaza Marsh.
*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.
Airlines & Ticket Prices
Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Kamuzu International Airport (LLW) or Chileka International Airport (BLZ), and what tickets would cost.
Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements
Please check our Getting There – Malawi page to learn more about passport, visa and other entry requirements.