Elevate Destinations

Experts in socially responsible luxury travel. We design travel experiences that support conservation and local communities without skimping on comfort.

Together Women Rise: Journey to Malawi
June 8th – 17th, 2022

TRAVEL INSURANCE:

Elevate Destinations requires that all travelers have travel insurance that covers COVID-related expenses and that new travelers purchase ‘cancel for any reason’ (CFAR) coverage for any trip they wish to take with us. Please note that some insurance options require purchase within 24 hours of making payment for your trip. Elevate Destinations recommends that travelers evaluate the insurance options available for their needs and inquire with providers about “cancel for any reason” insurance.

Below are two insurance brokers that Elevate Destinations recommends.

  1. Yonder Insurance– You are welcome to purchase travel insurance through our partners at Yonder Travel Insurance. You can contact Yonder at hello@insureyonder.com or call at 855-358-6433 (Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM CT).
  1. Travel Insurance Center – Dan Drennen is the representative who Elevate Destinations works with. To inquire with Dan about insurance policies he offers, you can reach him by email at dan@travelinsurancecenter.com or over the phone at 1-402-343-3621.
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS:

International arrival and departure flights are booked by travelers independently. Here are our recommended arrival/departure times:

  • June 8th, 2022: Arrive at Kamuzu International Airport (LLW) in Lilongwe by 4:00 PM
    • Please note that the flight to Malawi is lengthy, and can be draining. For example, NYC to Johannesburg is approximately 15 hours long. From there, it is an additional 4-hour flight to Lilongwe. Those who would benefit from arriving a day early are encouraged to reach out to book a pre-trip night at Kumabli Lodge.
  • June 17th, 2022: Depart from Chileka International Airport (BLZ) in Blantyre no earlier than 3:00 PM

While the Together Women Rise Journey to Malawi begins on June 8th and ends on June 17th, we would be happy to help you extend your travels in the region. Please see the Extend Your Travel tab for more information.

You are welcome to book your flights through our partners at AirTreks. Once AirTreks receives your information, they will be in direct contact with you to find the best airline, layover options, and route for your trip. You can also contact AirTreks by email at flightdesk@airtreks.com. AirTreks provides 24/7 support in case you need help at any point along your journey. They will also share your final itinerary with us after you have confirmed your booking – saving you the extra step.

Guests may book their flights through AirTreks or any other travel agent or method of their choosing. If you book your own flights, kindly forward your international flight information to Dana at dana@elevatedestinations.com.

*Please note that if you are looking at flights before 2021 you may not see many options as a result of the reduced flight schedules due to COVID-19. If you not seeing any satisfactory itineraries we recommend waiting until 2021 to book, as there may be more options available then. The best prices are typically available about 6 months prior to departure.

**Given their precarious financial status we recommend not booking South African Airways. Instead, consider Emirates or Ethiopian Airlines.

PASSPORT:

Please make sure your passport is current and valid for at least 6 months beyond your trip departure date. Your passport should have at least 3 blank pages for the entry and exit stamps, or more if you are visiting several countries on this trip. Please note that the last two amendment pages are not acceptable for visas and immigration stamps.

VISA:

All U.S. citizens will need a tourist visa to enter Malawi, which you can obtain in advance or upon your arrival, or through the eVisa online application process. The tourist visa to Malawi is a single entry visa, valid for 90 days and costs $100. We recommend that travelers obtain their tourist visas in advance. Should you decide to obtain your visa upon arrival, please first check with your airline to verify that they will let you board your flight without a visa.

To apply for a tourist visa, you will need the following, according to the Malawian Embassy Website:

  • Two Visa Application Forms
  • Two Passport Size Photos
  • Proof of travel (i.e. round-trip flight itinerary)
  • Visa fee ($100)

If you would like to acquire your visa for Malawi with a visa-processing center, Elevate Destinations recommends A1 Passport and Visa in Washington DC. For questions regarding the visa application, you can reach A1 Passport directly at (202) 639-1500.

Please sign and email the below forms to Wendy Frattolin at wendy@diningforwomen.org prior to departing for Malawi.

For more information about this incredible journey to Malawi with Together Women Rise, be sure to visit the following pages:

Itinerary
Pricing & Registration
In-Country Information
Health & Safety
Extend Your Travel
About Elevate Destinations