Venue & Travel Info

Malawi

Malawi lies between latitudes 9ᵒ and 18ᵒS, and longitudes 32ᵒ and 36ᵒE. The country is composed of three regions (the Northern, Central and Southern regions) which are divided into 28 districts. The population is predominantly rural (85%) mostly smallholder farmers reliant on rain-fed maize production. Malawi is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast and Mozambique to the south, southwest and southeast. Lake Malawi makes up over three-quarters of Malawi’s eastern boundary. English is the official language and is widely understood. A number of indigenous languages are also spoken with Chewa (or Chichewa) also known as the national language spoken by all Malawians.

Malawi, also known as the “Warm Heart of Africa”, is a favoured destination to all those who wish to experience the unrivalled combination of lake, landscape, wildlife and culture in one of Africa’s most beautiful and compact countries. The Malawian people are, without doubt, its greatest asset: friendly and welcoming. Every visitor is met with a smile and the warmth of the welcome is genuine and long-lasting. Most of the population is rural-based, living largely in fascinating traditional villages. Many Malawians are descendants of the Bantu people who moved across Africa and into Malawi for hundreds of years up to the fifteenth century. Malawi is blessed with a rich diversity of flora and fauna and has no less than nine National Parks or Wildlife Reserves. Malawi provides intensive and exclusive wildlife viewing in unspoilt areas of genuine wilderness.

Malawi’s temperatures are moderated by altitude. In the hottest month (usually November) maximum temperatures will be around 30 ᵒC. In the coldest month (July) maximum temperatures will be around 20 ᵒC. For most people the dry (winter) season is most attractive (i.e. April/May to October/November). The chance of rain is slim, daytime temperatures are generally pleasant (around 20 ᵒC) and the low vegetation and limited availability of water mean that game viewing is at its best.

Flights to Malawi

For intercontinental flights from Europe, Kenya Airways (KLM partner), South African Airways and Ethiopian Airlines offer good options to Malawi, with routes involving good connections at their respective national hubs (Johannesburg, Addis Ababa and Nairobi, respectively). All international flights have the option to land in either the capital, Lilongwe, or Blantyre.

Passports & Visas

A valid passport is required for entry into Malawi. For tourist visits, visas are NOT required by citizens of the following countries:

For nationalities that do require visas, these cannot be obtained on arrival but must be obtained in advance from any Malawi diplomatic mission around the world.

Currency, electricity and time

Malawi’s unit of currency is the Kwacha (MK). Typically only the Kwacha is accepted by vendors. There are currently commercial banks spread in all towns and cities of Malawi with ATM operating 24 hours. Banks are open from 0800 to 1500 during weekdays and from 830 to 1100 on Saturdays. Travelers Cheques, visa cards or foreign (hard) currency notes are widely accepted either in banking halls or ATMs.

Power supply is based on the 220/240 volts system, using “British type” square bayonet three-pin plugs.

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

Useful websites

www.malawitourism.com
www.malawi.gov.mw/
www.malawithewarmheart.com
www.lakemalawi.com
www.wawamalawi.com/lakemalawi