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GETTING TO MALAWI For intercontinental flights from Europe, Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways (also with KLM) offer good options to Lilongwe and Blantyre, with routes involving an aircraft change at their respective national hubs (Addis Ababa and Nairobi). SouthAfrican Airways, Malawi Airlines and Airlink connect Malawi to Johannesburg, allowing links with all the international airlines that serve that busy intercontinental hub,especially Airlink’s 30 international airline partners and Star Alliance members. MalawiAirlines also connects Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe and Malawi-based air charter companies can also link Malawi to its neighbours. There are road routes into Malawi From Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique. Assume that border posts will be closed from about 18.00hrs and reopen at 07.00hrs. Requirements for vehicle documentation should be checked before travelling.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL For most people the dry (winter) season is most attractive, when game viewing is at its best (i.e. April/May to October/November). However, some of the best birdwatching can be had from November to April and the orchids of Nyika are best seen fromDecember to March/April. In the hottest month (usually November) maximum temperatures will be in the 30°C. In the coldest month (probably July) maximum temperatures will be in the low 20’s. In the uplands (e.g. Zomba, Nyika and Viphya) it can be cold at night. The hottest area, all year, is the Lower Shire Valley.

PASSPORTS & VISAS A full valid passport is required for entry into Malawi. A visa exemption was implemented in 2023 for 79 nationalities, including the UK & much of Europe, USA & Canada, China and Australia & New Zealand. Although Malawi introduced an e-visa system in 2019, most nationalities who still need a visa, can still obtain it on arrival. For Up-to-date details, see the How to Get There page in the Travel Guide section of ourwebsite: http://www.malawi tourism.com.

DUTY FREE International travellers over the age of 18 may import, duty free: 200 cigarettes or 225 gm of tobacco; 1 litre of spirits; 1 litre of beer; 1 litre of wine; plus a “reasonable”quantity of consumable goods to meet the traveller’s immediate needs in Malawi.

CURRENCY Malawi’s unit of currency is the Kwacha (abbreviated to MK internationally; K locally).Banks in the towns are open weekdays from 0800 to 1500. Mobile banks operate along the lakeshore and in more remote areas (check days/times locally). Travellers Cheques Or foreign (hard) currency notes (US$ notes must be post-2016) are best exchanged when in the main towns as there are no exchange facilities in many tourist spots. There Is no limit to the amount of foreign currency imported but it must be declared and accounted for on departure. Only MK3000 of local currency may be exported. There Are 24-hour ATMs in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu. Only local currency is dispensed and there are sometimes limits to the amounts that can be withdrawn.

HEALTH Immunisation against polio, tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A is recommended. Yellowfever immunisation may be required only by visitors entering from a yellow fever zone.There is a risk of contracting bilharzia if bathing in some parts of Lake Malawi. Chembe Village is high risk, but the risk is low at most of the main beach hotels & lodges up and down the lakeshore. The infection is relatively easily treated once diagnosed and treatment is cheap and readily available across the country. Malawi is a high risk area for AIDS.

SAFETY Malawi is considered a safe country for tourists and Malawians are rightfully known for their friendliness. However, the usual precautions should be taken as would be advised for tourists anywhere.

FOOD & DRINK Excellent fish dishes are widely available but especially near Lake Malawi. Most hotels and safari camps serve “western” dishes with, perhaps, game and occasionally local foods such as maize meal porridge. Soft drinks are available everywhere. Beers(Carlsberg is the most common), spirits such as Malawi gin and South African wines are reasonably priced and commonly available.

WATER For drinking, bottled water should be used in preference to tap water.

SHOPPING Small supermarkets are found in towns and larger villages. Large supermarkets andEuropean style shops are almost exclusively found in Blantyre and Lilongwe. Markets And roadside vendors are popular with travellers. Attractive souvenirs are the excellent wood carvings, widely available, and straw goods, together with work by local artists.The standard of craftwork varies but at its best is quite outstanding. In the markets,bargaining is expected. Traditional Chief’s chairs are popular.

LANGUAGE While English is an official language, and is widely understood, a number of indigenous languages are also spoken. The most common is Chewa (or Chichewa – the language of the Chewa).

DRIVING Car hire is possible from most centres and at the airports, but standards of vehicles vary and hiring may seem expensive. Most of the main roads are tarred but narrow.Potholes may be expected in any road and speeds should be kept low. However, the general quality of roads is good by African standards. Driving is on the left. Expect to find people and animals on any road. Driving at night is to be avoided. Breakdowns are traditionally indicated by placing bush or tree branches at the side of the road behind the vehicle, but red triangles are strictly needed. Petrol & diesel are widely available,though the country experiences shortages at times. Tanks should be filled whenever the opportunity occurs. An International Driving Licence is required for a longer period of hire, but national driving licences are sufficient in most instances if a photograph is included. In recent times, regulations regarding speed limits and the use of safety belts have been more rigorously enforced. On-the-spot fines can be collected by uniformed police. Routine roadblocks may be encountered, especially near the borders, but should not entail a stop of more than a couple of minutes.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT There is a good network of inexpensive public buses throughout Malawi.

DOMESTIC AIR TRAVEL Malawi Airlines provides regular links between the main cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe.Local air charter companies serve the main tourist destinations in the country.If using light aircraft for domestic transport, there is likely to be a limit of 10-12 kg per person.

There are five National Parks and four Wildlife Reserves, including one FreshwaterNational Park (at Cape Maclear). A growing number of privately-run reserves also offer safaris. All types of safari are available, not only 4×4 driving but also walking and by boat. Most game viewing is in small groups.

ACTIVITIES Organised activities for travellers to Malawi include: Climbing, hiking, cycling,bird watching, angling, game viewing, horse riding, mountain biking, quad-biking, yoga,art safaris, pottery. On Lake Malawi: kayaking, scuba diving, sailboarding, parasailing,diving, snorkelling, water-skiing, sailing and cruises. Many of the larger hotels and main towns offer the usual range of sports from tennis to golf. There are now a few hotels/lodges with Spa facilities.

OPENING HOURS Shops and offices open and close earlier in the day than is the custom in Europe orNorth America.

DRESS Dress is generally informal. Swimwear and very skimpy clothing should be confined to the beach resorts. For safaris, “natural “ colours should be worn in preference to light/bright colours. In the uplands, especially in the winter (April-September), it can be cool in the evening and a second top layer may be needed. It can be very cold in morning or night safari drives, requiring a coat.

ELECTRICITY Supply is based on the 220/240 volts system, using ‘Type G’ square bayonet three-pin plugs (same as UK).

TV & RADIO There is a national TV station and a number of radio stations which broadcast inEnglish. In addition, many hotels receive international satellite channels.

COMMUNICATIONS The telephone system is fairly reliable. Sim cards for local mobile phone networks are widely available and relatively cheap and easy to use. Network coverage is good and even reaches some of the parks & reserves. Most hotels and offices are readily reached by email. The postal system tends to be slow.

LAUNDRY Laundry service is usually available at hotels and lodges or in the bigger safari camps.Dry cleaning is less easy to obtain and standards may vary.

PHOTOGRAPHY Any camera equipment is best brought into the country and care should be taken to avoid its exposure to extremes of heat. Most Malawians will not mind being photographed but it is common courtesy to ask permission first.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS Jan 1, 15; March 3; May 1; June 25; July 6; 2nd Monday in October; Dec 25, 26.Also: Good Friday and Easter Sunday. If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then the next Monday becomes a holiday.

TIME Malawi time is GMT+2, as with most of southern Africa.