Visiting Dzaleka
Access, homestays, and getting to the camp.
Access & media permits
Festival attendance is free, and no ticket is needed. Carry valid identification.
Journalists, filmmakers, and researchers need clearance from the Ministry of Homeland Security in Lilongwe before filming or formal research inside the camp. Contact Tumaini Letu for help with permits.
Visit Dzaleka
Homestay bookings, guided tours, crafts, and food in the camp.
Go to visit.dzaleka.comDzaleka Homestay Program
Tumaini Letu runs a homestay program so visitors can stay with a host family inside the camp instead of a hotel in Lilongwe. Payments go to the host households.
- Hosts: families from the DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, and other countries.
- Booking: WhatsApp homestay coordinator Vann at +265 990 397 855, or see the program page.
Getting there
Dzaleka is in Dowa District, roughly 45 km (about an hour by road) north of Lilongwe.
Car or taxi
Drive north from Lilongwe on the M1 and take the Dowa turn-off. Agree taxi fares before you leave.
Minibus
Minibuses run from Lilongwe towards Dowa and Mponela. Ask to be dropped at the Dzaleka turn-off.
FAQ
- Is it safe to visit?
- Dzaleka is a residential community and welcomes festival visitors. Take the usual travel precautions, respect local customs, and arrange your stay through your host or the homestay program.
- What currency should I bring?
- Malawian Kwacha (MWK), in cash. Withdraw money in Lilongwe before you travel.
- Is there power and mobile coverage?
- Power cuts are common across Malawi, so bring a charged power bank. Airtel and TNM both provide mobile coverage in the area.