Lilongwe

Banda-mausoleum - Banda Mausoleum

Lilongwe is the capital of Malawi.

Lilongwe Halal Explorer

The capital of Malawi, Lilongwe has a population of about 1.1 million (2023). It's a very green city, to the extent that sometimes you wonder if there is a downtown at all as buildings in the new town at least are divided by patches of grassy land and trees.

Orientation

Lilongwe is divided into the Old Town (to the South) and the New Town (to the North) with the Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary between the two. The Old Town is built around the former village of Lilongwe, while the New Town (also called Downtown or Capital City) sprung up after first president Dr. Hastings Banda moved the capital from Zomba to Lilongwe. The quality of the roads is excellent compared to countries like Kenya and traffic doesn't tend to be too much of a problem at all.

Travel to Lilongwe

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Lilongwe

Lilongwe's Kamuzu International Airport (LLW) fields regular Flights to Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Lusaka, Dar es Salaam. and domestic services to Blantyre. Malawi airlines operates Regional Flights to Johannesburg South Africa and three airports in Mozambique.

The international departure tax that used to be charged for passengers with foreign passports is included in the airline ticket now.

The airport is about a 30-40 minutes drive north of town and the taxis charge around (US$20) for the journey from Old Town (presuming you're staying in one of the lodges). This can decrease if you get the taxi from Capital City.

By Rail

By car

Lilongwe is about 110 kilometers from Mchinji on the Zambian border. Taxis are expensive (around US$50, depending on your bargaining skills), but you can use a shuttle van or open back truck (matola) for 500/600 kwacha.

Travel on a Bus in Lilongwe

There are regular bus services from Johannesburg, Harare and Lusaka. Intercape has the largest intercity bus route network in Southern Africa.

How to get around in Lilongwe

The town is very spread out so getting around can be a bit of a chore. You can pick up taxis from the Lilongwe Hotel (in the Old Town) and the Capital Hotel (in the Capital City). If you're feeling adventurous, you can take a shuttle van. It's very cheap, but you will be getting very familiar with your fellow passengers. There are several routes you can take, including one that goes from the large blue bank in the new town and drops you off in the heart of the old town, next to Shoprite surpermarket.

What to see in Lilongwe

K.a.r-.clocktower-in-lilongwe - K.A.R Clocktower

• Lilongwe Wildlife Centre - on the opposite side of the road to the old nature sanctuary It is back down towards old town by the bridge over the river, look out for the sign. It is a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre that provides excellent tours of the centre and its wilderness zone, a wide range of wildlife and good value for money. Volunteer opportunities are available.

• Kumbali Cultural Centre - ☎ +265 999-933-252 See the traditional Malawian dancing and traditional Malawian drumming. Includes live acoustic Malawian music and traditional Malawian dinner.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Lilongwe

• Golf Lessons - Lilongwe Golf Club - Very affordable compared to western prices with an excellent 18-hole course. Challenging for even pros.

How to work legally in Lilongwe

If you're interested in volunteering with animals,the LSPCA (Lilongwe Society for the Protection & Care of Animals)] takes volunteers from various backgrounds including veterinary, IT, marketing and animal care and management.

The volunteer programme is an affordable with a minimal commitment of 2 weeks required. With a shortage of vets available to the majority of Lilongwe's residents and the LSPCA undertakes vital work in Lilongwe in helping to promote higher animal welfare standards of domestic and farm animals.

As a volunteer, your work would include visiting local schools to educate them about the importance of animal health and care, community vaccination clinics (rabies and Newcastle disease), spay and neuter clinics, and farm day clinics.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Lilongwe

Lilongwe Area 2 - Looking over the Old Town of Lilongwe

• Old Town Mall. Off Chilambula on the left just as you're driving away from the Lilongwe Sunbird. Catering mostly to the tourist, expat, and wealthy Malawian community, Old Town Mall offers two art and craft galleries, a DVD rental shop, grocery store catering - lightly - to expat tastes with imported food and and a book store. Serendipity Cafe and Mamma Mia's Italian Restaurant (see below) are here as well.
• Crossroads Complex, Mchinji Roundabout. With a couple of decent gift shops, a post office, a petrol station, pharmacy, an Indian grocery, ATMs and a couple of fast food joints - South African brands Steers (burgers) and Pizzas Inn. Cappucino's coffee shop and cafe is here too - with good breakfast and lunch and iced Coffee.
• 7-Eleven. No relation to the American outfit, this is just a popular supermarket (complete with in-house butchery and bakery) that stocks a wide range of products local and imported.
• Shoprite. South African chain supermarket, smack dab in the center of town and pretty hard to miss. Most of the tourists passing through town will stop here to stock up. The forex in the same complex has closed so you'll need to cross the street and use the one in the mall (don't bother with the guys on the sidewalk). 'The Grill House' is like Nando's - including menu and sauces. There is also a nice, relatively affordable Chicken Inn, which sells ice cream.
• Game. Walmart USA-owned Hypermarket opposite Shoprite. Stocks food - a shop for hardware, toys, sport equipment etc. Expensive, but is the only place to buy certain objects - tents for example.
• Spar. International chain. Very good bakery, fruit and veg selection and affordable sandwiches, hot lunches, etc. from the deli counter. Expensive food, but sells a good, quality selection. Very Western.
• Foodworths. Another popular supermarket with a rather impressive produce spread, sandwiches and other ready-made Snacks, biltong, a full bakery, and a nice assortment of meats, dairy, other basic foods, and soft drinks. Very expat. In the same complex as a Total petrol station, on Kenyatta b/t Mzimba and Youth Drive.
• Chipiku. Another popular supermarket selling mostly non-perishables plus a few dairy items, local residents shop here to stock up in bulk. Cheapest place for imported alcohol, and bulk South African cigarettes. Near the junction of Chilambula and Mzimba.

Halal Food & Restaurants

There are many local cafes, especially in Area 2, serving affordable meals such as Rice, Chicken, nsmia, beef.

Shoprite and Spar also have deli counters with hot food, sandwiches and a bakery.

• Sana Opposite Diplomats pub, sells meals such as Curries, Pizzas, burgers, etc. Good quality for price.
• Chicken Inn Next to Shoprite. Like KFC and surprisingly very good quality. Good chips, and sells ice cream.

• Bohemia Cafe, along the road from Don Brioni's. Open for breakfast and lunch. Light meals (breakfast, toasted sandwiches, baked potato, quiche), fresh fruit juice, very good tea and coffee and great cakes.About US$5 for a sandwiches, a cup of tea and a cake.
• Korea Garden Lodge, 5 minutes walk from Mabuya Camp, Mufusa Lodge or old town. Hotel serving Korean food in the restaurant. Mixed reviews. Around US$30 for a double with shared bathroom, US$55 for one with ensuite (July 2013). The Wi-Fi they give you is very slow. It's better to use the KGL-ZyXEL network with WPA-code: kglogde1 (yes, with the typo).
• Kiboko Town Restaurant. A very good, reasonably priced place to eat. Play area for the children and good bar too. Regular live acoustic music is played here too. Good place to interact with guests and meet local expats.
• Four Seasons, in new town, is a lovely set of restaurants and small shops set in beautifully kept gardens. An excellent Indian restaurant called Blue Ginger with prices ranging from around 1500-2200 kwacha for Curries and there is also another restaurant offering Pasta. salads and Steak all reasonably priced. You'll probably need to drive, its near the Capital Sunbird Hotel in the Government District. But well worth the trip - there's also a great bar serving some lethal cocktails!
• Spur, South African chain restaurant. Sells Steaks, Burgers etc. Sells good ice cream, milkshakes and soda floats too! Muslim run - so no Beef is served.
• Chilli Peppers, An Italian/Mexican themed restaurant up the road past Sunbird Lilongwe in Old Town. Very good place, 1500-2000 kwacha for a main meal. Nachos, fajitas and the Pizzas are all good dishes. Pasta and hala Meat dishes not their speciality, but they do it well.
• Game complex, Behind the Galito's, Creamy Inn and Pizzas Inn complex is Papaya. A nice day time cafe with milkshakes, smoothies and tea/coffee. Sells nachos, wraps and other light bites.
• Crossroads complex, Here there is the South African fast food chain Steers (burgers, chips) and Pizzas Inn. There's also Cappucino's - a good small cafe offering day time meals and good breakfasts. Plenty of tea, coffee and iced coffee too.

• Country Lodge 5 minutes drive - From Mabuya Camp. Offers very good Indian and Chinese food. You can also ring up, place and order and have a takeaway (picking it up yourself mind you).

• Noble China, On the first turn off after Sunbird Lilongwe in Old Town. Sells good quality Chinese food. Idea is to order different meals and share - the centre of the table rotates around in order to easily swap dishes around.

• Mamma Mia, Old Town Mall. Lilongwe's fanciest Italian restaurant, much favored by the expat community so reservations strongly advised on weekends. Real Italian Pizzas, Pastas and more, but expect to pay over 2000 kwacha/head for a full meal with a glass of fruit cocktail, and food quality is a little uneven.
• Don Brioni's Bistro, next to the Old Town post office. Serving Pizzas, Pasta Steak and daily specials. Good food in generous quantities. US$10 for a main dish.
• Blue Ginger, in Pacific Parade shopping complex, Area 10. Considered the best Indian in Lilongwe.
• Game complex, next to Game there's South African chains off Galito's (similar to Nando's), Creamy Inn (ice cream, milkshakes, waffles, etc.) and Pizzas Inn (with buy one get one free on Tuesdays). All located in the same building. Merely a splurge because it's hard to resist the lure of an ice cream or milkshake after your meal. 2000-2500 kwacha per person, Galito's being the cheapest.

If you're not feeling eating out and there's also a Pizzas delivery service run from Debonairs at Crossroads. 0991630464/0993810397. Between 900 kwacha for small to 2400 kwacha for large Pizzas.Also offer hot subs. Minimum delivery is normally 4400 kwacha.

Drinking is a lot of local residents favourite past times, most are friendly however girls should be wary of over-protective Malawian men!

The only organic juice brewed in Malawi (bar Chibuku - a grainy, sand like organic juice coming in cartons!) is Carlsberg. Carlsberg is very local (brewed in Blantyre) and comes either normal (known as a 'Green') or Special Brew, Classic, Stout, Elephant or Light. You can also buy 'Kuche Kuche' - still brewed by Carlsberg but coming in a bigger bottle, less percentage and aimed more for tourists. Glass bottles come in a deposit form in Malawi (so expect to pay 25 kwacha extra per bottle, unless you return some). It is feasible to buy other soft drinks in certain restaurants - for example Castle, Carling Black Label, Kronenbourg and Heineken. However these are more expensive. Ciders and soft drinks also are available but are imported and more expensive.

Malawi also has its own spirits - notably Malawi Vodka, Malawi Gin (surprisingly this is very good quality gin!), Malawi Rum, Gold Label Brandy or the upmarket Premium Brandy and they cane spirit Powers. These are all affordable spirits per bottle, Powers and Gold Label Brandy normally 600 kwacha a bottle. Mixing with the sugary, very tasty Fanta always works and you see many local residents doing this! The Vodka, Gin and Powers can also all be bought in 30ml sachet forms.

Harry's Bar, in the old town, is a good place to have a drink and a Burgers during the day or to slam Malawi gin and tonic with an energetic local and expat crowd on weekend nights. More of a pre-drink place.

• Diplomats Pub, (in old town), +265 8553492. Offers good music and cold soft drinks, also a braai (South African word for barbecue, pronounced "brr-eye") outside at weekends. Opens 5PM till 2AM. Great entertainment for the weekend and during the week when no other pubs are open. Popular with local residents and expats. Good set of swimmingpool tables too (100 kwacha a token) - winner stays on! Also check out Inferno sports bar, behind Diplomats.
• Alexsander's Bar Around 10 minutes from the downtown by taxi. This bar used to be the hangout place of the Lilongwe white collar's and expatriates. The bar lies in the ground floor of a building that owned by a Malawi born westerner. This place can be a choice if you want to avoid the crowd and relax.

• Chez Ntemba International Nightclub - Area 47 Behind Total Petrol Station - The local residents' place to be on Fridays and Saturdays. Not the best looked after place in town but guaranteed good music and excellent atmosphere. If the dance floor gets too much there is always the open air area outside where you are always bound to end up talking to a few local residents and expats - there's a Braii there too. Entry fee 500 kwacha at weekends. Only place open late on weekdays too - in the smaller side on café.

• Lonely Planet/Oasis - Casino - Off Chilambula Road - Not the most popular place now, still holds the famous 'Lollipop' club night every couple of months. Serves food at night too.

• Chameleon Cafe - Four Seasons - Presidential Way - Chameleon's is a Mzungu (White) owned bar in Lilongwe, run by a Scotsman. You will find more white expatriates in this place. The atmosphere is not very African but you can always guarantee an excellent atmosphere during the week to wind down with a cold green. Drinks and food are available. Friday nights and Sunday afternoons are the busiest time. Don't miss the live Jazz Jam sessions every Sunday afternoon.

• Zanzibar Nightclub, known locally as 'Zanzi'. The major nightclub in Lilongwe. Packed every Friday and Saturday night. Normally 500 kwacha entry however this can raise on special events such as music concerts (have featured artists such as the Black Missionnaries and Naeto C.) Be very wary of money, wallets, bags and cameras in this place - lots of pick pocketing has been reported.
• The Shack and the place to be on Wednesday nights with lots of local residents and expats coming every week. Busy only on Wednesdays, free entry too. If you come early (6PM) you can watch the weekly volleyball league teams play. You can even join one if you get talking. Good place but dies down about 2AM. Very sociable place to be.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Lilongwe

Lilongwe - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Lilongwe, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Lilongwe. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Lilongwe and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Lilongwe. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Lilongwe. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inLilongwe: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Lilongwe.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Lilongwe: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Lilongwe, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Lilongwe.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Lilongwe, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Lilongwe, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Lilongwe and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Lilongwe, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Lilongwe, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Lilongwe without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Lilongwe is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Lilongwe.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Lilongwe is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Lilongwe, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Lilongwe Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Lilongwe

eHalal Group Lilongwe is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Lilongwe. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Lilongwe.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Lilongwe ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Lilongwe. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Lilongwe, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Lilongwe are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

• There are some lodges near the bus station with rooms for around US$10 a night.

• Mabuya Camp - To the south of the Old Town ☎ +265 1754978, +265 9 746 239, +265 9 664 651 Dorm bed US$12 per person a night Camping, A-frames, chalets and dorms. Also has a lively bar, with locally well-known parties - whether organised or not. Also has a swimming swimmingpool table, restaurant, BBQ areas and good swimming pool. Popular with expats too. The owners have a fantastic knowledge of Africa, having driven through most of it. Formerly run by and named Kiboko Camp. Camping own tent US$7 per person.

• Lilongwe Golf club (camping only), off Glynn Jones Road and the campsite is not very busy and you might be the only guest there, but it works out a bit cheaper than a room.

• Street Peters Guesthouse Glyn Jones road ☎ +265 8-317769 Check-in: noon / Check-out: noon Dorm bed/single 4000/8000 kwacha Four single rooms, and a dorm with four beds. Hot water showers, garden.

• Malawi Lodge - Mtandrie Lilongwe US$5 a night
• Welcome Lodge Livingstone road area 3 Check-in: 11AM / Check-out: 10AM US$5 per dorm bed. camping/dorm beds/double room

• Mufatse Lodge 3 Lister Avenue area 3
• Kiboko Town Hotel, in the centre of the Old Town, above Don Brioni's Bistro, tel. +265 1 751 226, +361 9 838 485, @safaris.com, . Has its own cafe and a residents-only café. Used to be the Imperial Hotel. Clean, pleasant and friendly, in a very convenient location. They also run good-value safaris to South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. US$45-75 (all are en suite, more expensive rooms have a bath and TV). They have a very good restaurant too.

• Korea Garden Lodge - Offers a comfortable and relaxing setting close to downtown Lilongwe but in a quiet residential area. Swimming pool, television, rooms ranging from budget dorm-style to more luxuriant and private.

• Mufasa Lodge and camping site - 4th street old town area 2 ☎ +265 9071665 Check-in: 11AM / Check-out: 10PM dorm US$10 - 5 minutes walk from Old Town. They offer lodging from dormitories to more expensive self contained double rooms, breakfast inclusive. From US$10 for a bunk-bed in a shared dormitory room, over $28 and up for a room with private bathroom. They have an outside bar, hopefully building a roof for rainy season. Seems to be a little less private than other camps, having an open gate policy. Still a good pre drinking bar for going out and meeting people.

• Cresta Crossroads Hotel - ☎ +265-175-0333 - Crossroads Complex, Mchinji Roundabout. This four-star hotel operated by a South African chain offers modern if somewhat uninspiring comfort. Pool, jacuzzi, gym, speedy wireless Internet and a shopping mall next door. Single/double from US$120/140.

• Sunbird Capital Hotel - -13.955807, 33.796292 - Also uninspiring but comfortable with very similar facilities to Cresta Crossroads Hotel. En suite double rooms from US$110. The hotel does serve pretty good food and the peri peri Chicken Burgers is particularly good, and also there is a small sportsbar. The experience here depends on the day, some of the staff are absolutely fabulous, but some can be a little distracted and inattentive. Do make sure you go for a superior room and the standard ones aren't great.

Stay Safe

Transport is not always easy to get at late hours of the night so always make sure you have means of transport to getting back to where you're staying. Taxis are available. Lilongwe is said to be unsafe at night so don't walk alone after dark.

Cope in Lilongwe

Embassies & Consulates in Lilongwe

United States | 16 Jomo Kenyatta Road, Lilongwe 3 ☎ +265 1 773 166 +265 1 770 471

Travel Next

• Cape Maclear, a laid-back village on the south end of Lake Malawi.
• Salima and the easiest entry point to Lake Malawi, 1-2 hours away. Nice resorts (including Livingstonia Beach Resort) available with gorgeous beaches. A signposted turn off 3 kilometers before Salima beckons travelers to Kuti Wildlife Park with camp sites,A frame chalets, bar/braii facilities, Small restaurant,game drives and walks,Animals found in the park include sable, nyala, zebra, wildebeest, ostrich, giraffe and waterbuck. At night civets, genets, servals and aardvarks may be spotted. A great spot for birding too! If you plan to go during rainy season, be sure to take a 4x4 just in case. Fore more info telephone 09563004 or 05236672.
• Chipata and the eastern gateway to Zambia, 1-2 hours away
• South Luangwa National Park – a fantastic wildlife reserve in Zambia. Kiboko Safaris (see Kiboko Town Hotel in Sleep section of this page) and possibly a few others run roundtrip excursions to the park, and with advance notice can arrange visa waivers. The park is great, and this is an easy way to see it if you've got time for a sidetrip.Copyright 2015 - 2024. All Rights reserved by eHalal Group Co., Ltd.
  

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