Volunteer experience in Malawi

From Mulanje’s school to safaris in Majete

The voluntourism experience in Malawi stems from our desire to contribute to the country’s development through volunteering as well. Join us and take part in the projects of Around AWT, the non-profit organisation we support through Africa Wild Truck via our Community Levy. The programme will be enhanced with a day of hiking in the Mulanje Forest and safaris in Majete wildlife reserve.

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11 days of travel in Malawi, combining volunteering and discovery

The trip begins in Blantyre. At Chileka Airport, our staff will be there to welcome you and accompany you on the approximately 90 km journey to Africa Wild Truck’s historic base and our lodge and camp at the foot of Mount Mulanje. At 3,002 metres, it is the highest massif in Central Africa and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2025. It is also a magical place for Malawians, with exceptional biodiversity.

The first few days of the trip will be devoted to getting to know the context in which you’ll be staying. You’ll begin to familiarise yourself with the local culture with a short Chichewa course – the language spoken throughout Malawi – organised by Around AWT. Then you’ll meet the teachers and pupils at Nswadzi Primary School, the no profit association’s most important project.

The Around Nswadzi Primary School, opened in 2018, is just a few kilometres from the Africa Wild Truck lodge. It was established at the request of the village chief of the community closest to our base, as children had to walk up to 6 km to get to school. Today, it welcomes around hundred and fifty students, providing them with a free meal every day and access to the Malawi Ministry of Education’s programmes.

The trip will then move into the heart of the volunteering experience. As an international volunteer, you can contribute across a range of subjects, from English and maths to arts and sports, as well as food education and ecology, helping raise awareness of issues that matter to us all. The aim is to help build a strong foundation for primary education while encouraging children to apply themselves to their studies and continue on to secondary school. These will also be days of learning and sharing: volunteering is an exchange, giving you the chance to share your knowledge and gain new skills in return.

Finally, this trip will be an opportunity to discover other sides of Malawi and its nature, which will surprise you with its landscapes.

One day will be dedicated to an excursion on Mount Mulanje. You’ll first reach the Mbiya Pools, where you can swim, before heading into the forest for a short trek to discover a unique ecosystem, home to endemic chameleons and the famous Mulanje cedar.

To round off the trip, you will be able to discover Majete Wildlife Reserve, about 200 km from Mulanje. Until the early 2000s, the reserve was virtually devoid of wildlife, which had disappeared due to poaching. Today, thanks to collaboration between local communities, the Government of Malawi and African Parks, it is a successful example of wildlife restoration, with more than 2,500 animals reintroduced. On safari, you may encounter all big five – lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and African buffalo – and on top African wild dogs and cheetahs. Along the banks of the Shire River, you may also spot hippos and crocodiles.

Throughout the itinerary, you’ll be accompanied by a tour leader from Italy and professional guides who live in the area. In Mulanje, you’ll stay at Africa Wild Truck’s lodge and camp, set among tea plantations, the first to be introduced to Africa in the late 19th century. Bright green hills stretch around you, crossed only by the red tracks that wind through the plantations. During your stay in Majete Wildlife Reserve, you’ll camp at a fenced, well-equipped campsite with a kitchen available, giving you the chance to enjoy the natural surroundings and spend evenings around the fire beneath the stars.

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Travel details

Best time to travel

Given the unique nature of this experience compared with our other itineraries, departure and return dates are fixed. Contact us for more details.

Create your own trip

Duration

11 full days, excluding outbound and return flights.

Price

€1,550 per person, based on 12 participants. This includes a €250 donation to the Around AWT association to support the school during the following academic year. The participation fee may vary depending on the number of people taking part in the trip.

Attractions

Lilongwe | Majete Wildlife Reserve | Mount Mulanje Forest Reserve

Tailor your Africa journey

You can add extra stops to one of our itineraries or ask us to create a completely tailor-made journey. We will be delighted to help you plan your ideal trip.

Travel Area

Parti insieme a noi

Included activities

Optional activities

Walking safari

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Foto di un gruppo di persone che fanno un safari a piedi, attività che puoi fare se viaggi con Africa Wild Truck

Hiking

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Additional information

Things to know

Who Can Take Part?

A good level of English, openness to different cultures, adaptability, the ability to work as part of a team, and a basic understanding of the local environment are required to take part in the volunteering experience. Experience in education and communication is an advantage.

Entry requirements

To enter Malawi, you need a passport with at least two blank pages and at least six months’ validity remaining, as well as a visa. For information on how to apply, please consult the latest guidance on the Malawi Immigration website.

Food and drinks

local cuisine

Malawi’s typical specialities include fresh fish from Lake Malawi. Chambo (tilapia) is the lake’s most prized delicacy. White maize (nsima) is commonly eaten with vegetables, beans and sometimes meat or fish. The local beer is very good, and Malawi gin and tonic is famous.

Hygiene and safety

The accommodation and restaurants we select meet excellent hygiene standards. However, as an extra precaution, we recommend:

Drinking water and other beverages only from sealed containers or those provided by the lodge.
Brushing your teeth with water from sealed bottles or supplied by the lodge.
Avoiding ice in drinks.
Avoiding raw vegetables and uncooked seafood.

Currency and payments

Local currency: Malawi Kwacha

At the accommodations you’ll stay in, Visa, Mastercard and other major credit cards are commonly accepted. In markets and villages, however, electronic payments are often limited and ATMs may be scarce. For more details, please consult our travel preparation guide.

Health informations

Vaccination requirements vary according to nationality and country of origin. For up-to-date health information and malaria prevention advice, we recommend consulting official travel health resources before departure.

What to bring

Luggage

We recommend travelling light and limiting luggage to approximately 16 – 18 kg. Soft bags are strongly preferred over hard-shell or semi-rigid suitcases.

Clothing

You’ll need comfortable, breathable clothing: lightweight clothes for the day and layers for the cooler evenings, especially in Mulanje. Bring comfortable walking shoes, preferably hiking boots, and sandals to give your feet a rest.

Equipement

We recommend bringing sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, a reusable water bottle and binoculars. Remember to carry all travel documents required for entry into Malawi, as well as a photocopy of your passport.

Medications

Pharmacies are generally only available in larger towns, so we recommend bringing a small supply of any medication you may require.

A detailed packing list, including clothing, equipment and medical recommendations, is available in our travel preparation guide.

Price information

Price inclueds

€250 donation to the Around AWT association to support the school during the following academic year
11 days of organisation and support from Africa Wild Truck
Tour leader from Italy
Professional guides who live in Malawi
Entrance fees to Majete Wildlife Reserve
Transfer from Chileka Airport in Blantyre to the base in Mulanje (90 km)
8 nights at the Africa Wild Truck base, in a family room, full board
Chichewa language course and introduction to local culture
Transfers to and from Mulanje and Majete Wildlife Reserve (400 km in totale)
2 nights at a fully equipped campsite in Majete Wildlife Reserve, with 3 safaris included
Road tolls and insurance
Meals, where full board is specified
VAT, government taxes and 1% Tourism Levy
1% Community Levy

Price excludes

Flights
Entry visa for Malawi
Travel insurance (covering cancellation, baggage and mandatory medical expenses)
Drinks
Optional and recommended activities
Meals where full board is not specified
Personal expenses
Anything not expressly listed under “What’s included”

Price variations

Park fees and local levies may be subject to change without notice.

Please note that this itinerary is intended as a starting point and can be fully tailored to your preferences.

The final price will therefore be recalculated at the time of booking, taking into account any modifications to the itinerary, alternative accommodation choices and any supplier price updates.

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