Africa
MALAWI
TRAVEL GUIDE
Malawi is a landlocked country located in southeastern Africa known as the “Warm Heart of Africa” for its friendly people. It is home to some of the most stunning natural attractions, including Lake Malawi, the third-largest freshwater lake in Africa, and Mount Mulanje, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. Additionally, Malawi’s diverse wildlife and bird species, traditional culture, and welcoming locals make it an ideal destination for those looking for an authentic African experience.
Why Visit Malawi
LANDSCAPES & NATURE
Malawi has an incredible diversity of beautiful landscapes and scenery, with plateaux, highlands, forests, mountains, plains and more, is home to one of the biggest lakes in the world, the Lake Malawi. A UNESCO world heritage site, it offers the largest number of fish species in the world, 99% of which are endemic to the region. Is the perfect destination to combine “bush and beach”, as go from the beach to the lowlands within a couple hours. The country also has 9 National Parks filled with wildlife reserves and plenty of opportunities to go on a Safari.
LOCALS
Known as the “Warm heart of Africa” thanks to its warm and friendly locals, Malawi is considered to be an extremely tourist-friendly destination. It is common for locals to greet visitors, and they will be happy to share their culture and traditions with you.
PRIVACY
Malawi is somewhat a hidden gem in Africa. The tourist industry is just starting to rise, allowing visitors to enjoy its amazing sites and landscapes without a crowd.
SAFETY:
Malawi is relatively safe in comparison to its African neighbors. It is a peaceful country with low crime rate. There aren’t any urban chaos, traffic jams or any kind of internal wars.
CULTURE & HISTORY
Malawi has a rich culture thanks to its many different ethnic groups. Each of them have different languages, traditions, cuisine and customs. There are many historical buildings and museums open to tourists to visit and learn a little more about this interesting country.
Malawi is a landlocked country located in southeastern Africa known as the “Warm Heart of Africa” for its friendly people. It is home to some of the most stunning natural attractions, including Lake Malawi, the third-largest freshwater lake in Africa, and Mount Mulanje, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. Additionally, Malawi’s diverse wildlife and bird species, traditional culture, and welcoming locals make it an ideal destination for those looking for an authentic African experience.
Why Visit Malawi
LANDSCAPES & NATURE
Malawi has an incredible diversity of beautiful landscapes and scenery, with plateaux, highlands, forests, mountains, plains and more, is home to one of the biggest lakes in the world, the Lake Malawi. A UNESCO world heritage site, it offers the largest number of fish species in the world, 99% of which are endemic to the region. Is the perfect destination to combine “bush and beach”, as go from the beach to the lowlands within a couple hours. The country also has 9 National Parks filled with wildlife reserves and plenty of opportunities to go on a Safari.
LOCALS
Known as the “Warm heart of Africa” thanks to its warm and friendly locals, Malawi is considered to be an extremely tourist-friendly destination. It is common for locals to greet visitors, and they will be happy to share their culture and traditions with you.
PRIVACY
Malawi is somewhat a hidden gem in Africa. The tourist industry is just starting to rise, allowing visitors to enjoy its amazing sites and landscapes without a crowd.
SAFETY:
Malawi is relatively safe in comparison to its African neighbors. It is a peaceful country with low crime rate. There aren’t any urban chaos, traffic jams or any kind of internal wars.
CULTURE & HISTORY
Malawi has a rich culture thanks to its many different ethnic groups. Each of them have different languages, traditions, cuisine and customs. There are many historical buildings and museums open to tourists to visit and learn a little more about this interesting country.
Bucket list
Chill Out on Lake Malawi
Go on Safari in Liwonde National Park
Hike Mount Mulanje
Enjoy the view from the Zomba Plateau
What to expect
LANGUAGE
Malawi has two official languages: English and Chichewa. English is widely spoken in cities and towns, while Chichewa is the most common language spoken by locals across the country. There are also several other indigenous languages spoken in different parts of Malawi.
ELECTRICITY
In Malawi the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. That’s the standard voltage (220-240V) in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa; If you are traveling from the US you will need an adaptor. However, the national electrification rate is s 10%, with 37% of the urban population and only 2% of the rural population having access to electricity.
CURRENCY
The Malawian kwacha is the currency of Malawi. Other foreign currencies, like dollars and euros, might be accepted in some tourist places and hotels but won’t be accepted in smaller establishments. You could exchange your money at the airport (recommended) or at exchange houses or banks, however a small fee will apply. Credit cards are accepted in hotels and big restaurants but cash is recommended for remote areas, as there are very few ATM, if any out of the city. 1 USD equals 1,026 Kwachas (as of 2023)
CLIMATE
Malawi has a sub-tropical climate, relatively dry and strongly seasonal. Rainy season is from November to April, with approximately 95% of the annual precipitation takes place. The dry season lasts from September to October with average temperatures varying between 77°F (25°C) and 98.6°F (37°C).
SAFETY
Malawi is generally considered a safe destination for tourists, with relatively low levels of crime compared to other countries in the region. However, it is still advisable to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings, especially in larger cities and tourist areas where pickpocketing and theft can occur.
How to get around Malawi
- Buses: There are various bus companies that offer both long-distance and local services throughout Malawi. Some popular bus companies include AXA, Intercape, and Shire Bus Lines.
- Minibuses: Minibuses, also known as matolas, are a common form of transport in Malawi. They are generally cheaper than buses and run on fixed routes.
- Taxis: Taxis are available in most cities and towns in Malawi. They are generally more expensive than buses and minibuses but offer more comfort and flexibility.
- Car rental: Car rental companies are available in major cities in Malawi. This can be a good option if you want more independence and flexibility in your travels, but be aware that road conditions in some parts of Malawi may be challenging.
- Bicycles: Bicycles are available for rent in some tourist areas and can be a fun and eco-friendly way to explore Malawi’s scenic countryside.
It’s worth noting that while buses and minibuses are the most common form of transport in Malawi, they can be crowded and uncomfortable, and safety standards may vary. It’s important to take precautions when traveling by any form of transport in Malawi and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Visa Policy
Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Hong Kong, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines , Samoa , Seychelles , South Africa , Tanzania , Trinidad and Tobago , Tuvalu , Uganda , Zambia and Zimbabwe are able to visit Malawi for up to 90 days without a visa.
Nationals of certain countries may obtain a visa on arrival to Malawi. The information on which countries are eligible is inconsistent. Depending on the purpose of visit, a traveler who has a valid visa is granted a Visitors Permit (VP) or Business Visit (BV) at the port of entry valid for 30 days and can be extended up to a maximum period of 90 days.
According to a document published by the Department of Immigration, nationals of all countries that are not visa exempt may obtain a visa on arrival. This is not applicable to nationals of the following 53 countries (who will require an eVisa in advance): Afghanistan , Algeria , Angola, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, DR Congo, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ghana, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Yemen.
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