Malawi - Facts for the Traveller
Full country name: Republic of Malawi
Area: 118,500 sq km (45,747 sq mi)
Population: 10.4 million
Capital city: Lilongwe
People: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuko, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European
Language: English, Chichewa, regional languages
Visas: Travel overland to Malawi and you'll definitely need a visa, they are good for up to three months, and you will require proof of your onward travel plans.
Currency: Kwacha (K)
Health risks: Heat stroke, hypothermia, dysentery, giardiasis, hepatitis A & B, typhoid, meninogococcal meningitis, cholera, malaria, rabies, diphtheria, tetanus, polio.
When to visit Malawi
The best time to travel to Malawi is in the dry season, which lasts from late April to October or November. The best time for game viewing is late in the dry season, when animals converge at water holes, but be warned unfortunately the heat can be unpleasant, especially in the lowlands.
Malawi Travel Tips
Malawi is a cheap travel destination. US dollars are widely accepted. It is a good idea to have some travellers' cheques on hand, although cash will bring better exchange rates. Credit cards are near useless outside the capital and a few major cities. You can travel rather comfortably in Malawi, staying at the top-end lodges and eating at the best restaurants, for US$200 to $350 a day or more. Budget travellers can squeak by for well under US$5 a day if they stick to cheap resthouses and restaurants.
What to Pack for Malawi
Pack comfortable, light safari-type clothing and take comfortable walking shoes. And don’t forget your camera!
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