Malawi
Country info
Malawi is a landlocked country located in southeastern
Africa. It is bordered in the North and East by Tanzania, on the east,
south and southwest by Mozambique and to the west by Zambia.
The country lies within the Great African Rift Valley
system. Lake Malawi, a body of water some 360 miles long and about 1,500
ft above sea level, is its most prominent physical feature. Much of the
land surface is plateau between 900 to 1,220 m (3,000 to 4,000 ft) above
sea level. Elevations rise of over 2,440 m (8,000 ft) in the Nyika Plateau
in the north and in the regions of Mt. Mulanje 3,050 m (10,000 ft) and
Mt. Zomba 2,135 m (7,000 ft). The Shire highlands in the south are lower
with elevations from 610 m (2,000 ft) to 900 m (3,000 ft).
To the north there are rugged highlands with rolling hills
in the Nyika and Vwanza plateaux, whilst in the South, traversing the escarpment
that forms part of the Great African Rift Valley, lie the lowlands of the
Shire Valley.
Lake Malawi is the county's centerpiece. Like an inland
sea it has endless palm fringed beaches, enclosed by sheer mountains, making
it undeniably the focal point for Malawi's tourists. Malawi is a landlocked
country located in southeastern Africa. It is bordered in the North and
East by Tanzania, on the east, south and southwest by Mozambique and to
the west by Zambia.
Travel info
Climate
SUMMER: January – March
WINTER: June – July
January to March is the hot, rainy season. Temperatures
average around 26ºC, but reach the mid 30s. Many of the roads in the
National Parks get washed away, and animals are difficult to see due to
thicker vegetation. However, for the budget conscious, many hotels and
activities are heavily discounted during this period. In April, roads open
up and the weather turns beautiful with clear skies, warm days and cool
evenings. June and July are the middle of winter, but the average daytime
temperature is about 21ºC, but the nights are cold, especially in
the highlands. By late August, the days become hotter, though the nights
are still cool and by October the days are very hot, with warm nights.
It is still dry. The rainy season starts in December, so this month can
be very humid.
Clothing
Generally, casual comfortable clothing is suitable throughout the year.
The most practical items to pack for your Malawi holiday are:
blouses with long sleeves (even in summer, they will protect
you from the sun and from mosquitoes)
t-shirts
shorts or a light skirt
jeans or trousers for evenings and cooler days
fleece or sweater and a warm jacket for game drives (necessary,
even in summer)
comfortable walking shoes
Visa
Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa:
Commonwealth countries, Luxembourg, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Ireland,
South Africa, Sweden, USA.
Not many nationals require a visa, check with your nearest
Malawian Consulate or Malawi Diplomatic Mission for the current visa requirements.
Most visitors will receive a 30 day tourist pass. If you have a return
ticket indicating that you require a longer period, you may easily get
two or three months. Where visas are required, you will need an application
form and two or three passport photographs. A visa costs around US$25.
This is a guide only. Rules change regularly so please
check with your nearest Malawian Consulate for up to date information.
Car hire
You will need a valid international driving
licence or national driving licence if set out in English. Malawi drives
on the left. The main roads is Malawi are generally surfaced and most are
reasonably well maintained. Many smaller roads and roads within the game
reserves can become impassable in the rainy season. Be aware, for some
reason, Malawian drivers seem to believe that by not using their headlights
will conserve the life of their car battery, so driving after dark can
be dangerous.
Hiring a car is an expensive way to get around but essential
if you want to see a lot in a limited time.
Health
It is imperative that you obtain malaria prophylactics
before entering Malawi. When purchasing these, please tell your doctor
or pharmacist that you intend visiting Malawi. Start your course at least
24 hours before entering Malawi and continue taking the pills for six weeks
after leaving the country. If you suffer from side effects, try taking
your malaria prophylactics at night, after dinner as this usually minimises
the effect of the symptoms. Take precautionary measures to prevent contact
with mosquitoes, like: sleeping under a bed net (most hotels provide these)
or in a room/tent with mosquito proofing (remember to keep the flaps zipped
at all times); spraying your accommodation with insecticide; making use
of a mosquito-repelling lotion or stick; and wearing long sleeve clothing,
trousers and socks when outside at night.
It is advisable to be up to date with typhoid, yellow
fever, cholera, hepatitis, small pox and tetanus inoculations. The lakeshore
is not always free of bilharzia, so check with local authorities.
Currency
The unit of currency is the kwacha (MK) which
is divided into 100 tambala. There are notes of Mk100, 50, 20, 10 &
5. Coins of Mk1, and 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 & 1 tambala.
You will find the exchange rate is in your favour. Visitors
from North America, Australasia and Europe will find that items cost half
or two thirds of what they are used to paying, and locally produced goods
and food is even cheaper.
The major banks are the National Bank of Malawi and the
Commercial Bank of Malawi. Both have branches in most towns throughout
the country. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 13:00 or 14:00.
In small towns they may only open two or three days a week. Traveller’s
cheques and major currencies can be exchanged in banks, hotels & other
institutions. In remote areas, local district commissioner’s offices will
cash cheques. It is strongly discouraged to change money on the black market.
The chances of money changing being a scam are high – a sure sign of this
is an offer of a rate 10% higher than bank rates.
Commercial Banks
The major banks are the National Bank of Malawi
and the Commercial Bank of Malawi. Both have branches in most towns throughout
the country. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 13:00 or 14:00.
In small towns they may only open two or three days a week. Traveller’s
cheques and major currencies can be exchanged in banks, hotels & other
institutions. In remote areas, local district commissioner’s offices will
cash cheques. It is strongly discouraged to change money on the black market.
The chances of money changing being a scam are high – a sure sign of this
is an offer of a rate 10% higher than bank rates.
Language
Although English is the official language, Chichewa, the other official language, is most commonly spoken. It is a sign of respect
to be able to greet people in their own language so it is a good idea to learn some of the basic phrases:
Greetings:
Hello - Moni
Thank you/ Excuse me - Zikomo
Please - Chonde
Fine/OK/Good - Chabwino
How are you? - Muli Bwanji?
I'm fine - Ndili bwino
Goodbye (to the person staying) - Tsala bwino
Goodbye (to person leaving) - Pitani bwino
What is your name? - Dzani lako ndani?
Where are you going? - Ukupita kuti?
I'm going to .... - Ndikupita ku ....
Yes - Inde
No - Iyayi
How much? - Ntengo bwanji?
Why? - Chifukwa?
I don't understand. - Sindikunva
Accessoires
sun block, sunglasses, hat, insect repellent - essentials!
binoculars and a camera are a must
track suit - good for sleeping in during winter months
light, compact raincoat is a good idea for the summer
swimsuit and snorkelling and diving gear
towel, torch and sleeping bag for camping safaris (sleeping
bags can be hired from most safari operators)
|
