Our Malawi’s Signature Journey: Wildlife, Tea Estates & Lake Shores

Dubbed "The Warm Heart of Africa" due to the legendary welcome extended to all who visit, Malawi is a small country with a big heart and an even bigger range of incredible tourist activities! Lake Malawi’s vast size, its warm freshwater and its gorgeous surrounding beaches make it a mecca for those seeking a year round location to swim, scuba dive, snorkel, water-ski, sail, kayak, para sail or simply potter about in boats.

Malawi also boasts plenty of national parks providing a haven for a wide variety of wildlife including crocodiles, lions, elephants, hippos and even cheetah and rhino. Culture vultures are also well served by numerous fascinating historical and cultural sites as well as visits to traditional Malawian villages to meet some ever-smiling Malawians going about their daily lives. With all of this exceptional culture, natural scenery and friendliness on offer, this unique African country is enchanting enough to captivate even the most jaded traveler.

Visa

Citizens of most Southern African (SADC) countries (including South Africa) as well as Israel and Ireland do not require visas to enter Malawi. Other passport holders do need visas, which can usually be purchased at your point of entry. Though there are nationalities that require to purchase visa in advance (Russian). Be patient when dealing with officialdom at entry points. Expect delays.

Please refer to https://www.malawitourism.com/visa-guide/ for up to date official details regarding visa requirements and costs, as these may change without notification. 

Passports

International passports are required to travel to Malawi. Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas. It is advisable to have a minimum of 3 blank pages in your passport, especially if passing through South Africa. Please review official general travel advice relating to passports and visa prior to departure.

WARNING: If transiting via South Africa on your travels to Malawi with minor children, please check on the current status of documentation needed as South Africa imposes some ridiculous documents to present!!!

Currency

The local currency is known as Kwacha (MWK; symbol Mk) which is equal to 100 tambala. Notes come in denominations of Mk2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20. 

The import of local currency is unlimited. The export of local currency is limited to K30,000. The export of foreign currency must not exceed the amount imported and must be declared on departure.

Banking

Banks in Malawi are open for business during the following hours:

Monday to Friday: 08:00 - 15:00 | Saturday: 08:00 - 11:00. (Note that some banks can be open till 12.30 on working days and till 10.30 on Saturday)

Foreign Exchange

Visitors can bring travellers cheques or Visa cards, but cash in national currency  is recommended. There are exchange bureaus where it is possible to exchange US Dollars, Euros & Pound Sterling into Malawi Kwacha (please only plan to do this if you have a full day available in a big city - Lilongwe or Blantyre).

ATM's

ATM machines can be found throughout Malawi, but only in bigger cities/towns. Currently Visa and Mastercard are accepted for cash withdrawal. US$400 is the approximate daily limit (only MWK80,000 - equivalent to about US$110 - can be withdrawn at a time), but it may vary from bank to bank and from ATM to ATM. Note that ATM’s not always work perfectly in Malawi, as their availability is influenced by power shortages or a limited amount of cash in the machine.

Credit Cards

Most major credit cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants and cafes although Visa is preferred. Please note that most shops only accept cash. Credit cards are usually not accepted at petrol filling stations - some select Total filling stations now have card paying facilities, but most of the time cash must be used. Given the reliability of these machines it’s recommended to always have some cash on you in case they aren’t working.

Do note that remote parks and isolated lodges do not always have credit card facilities. One should make provision for enough cash to cover for drinks and personal expenses if not included in the safari package.

Flights & International Air Access

There is international access to Malawi into Lilongwe and Blantyre with airlines such as Kenya Airways, KLM, South African Airways and Ethiopian Airlines, accordingly  involving an aeroplane change in their respective national hubs.

To reach your  destination within Malawi, you will then most likely fly domestically. Please check in early at all airports as flights are occasionally overbooked. Also ensure you have sufficient time in transit, as you might miss your connection or your luggage might be left behind and that could spoil your stay in Malawi. Keep in mind that airline inefficiency is responsible for over 80% of problems affecting travels!

Flights & Safari Charters

Charter flights can be arranged from your international airport of arrival directly to the safari destination itself. Many safari itineraries are designed as “fly-ins” and will then require air charters to fly from one remote location to another. There are a number of important things regarding these flights.

There are two types of air transfers: a private charter gives you sole use of the aircraft, while a scheduled air transfer based on a “seat-in-plane” basis means you share the aircraft with other guests (and thereby benefit from the lower cost.) All the flight times between destinations are arranged a few days (1 or 2)  before the flights take place so that there are no endless schedule changes. The lodges will be advised of the departure times the day before. At certain times of the year it may be necessary, for safety reasons, to fly from lodge to lodge during the cooler times of the day, in early morning or late afternoon. Once the departure times have been set they cannot be changed unless additional costs are paid. Luggage limitations apply both in weight and size on these charter flights. All luggage should come in soft bags only. Most local airlines apply a rule of 15 KG of checked-in luggage per traveller. Please advise us at the time of booking if any one guest travelling alone weighs more than 100kgs. All weight limits are due to safety factors involved in the light aircraft transfers.  Weight and size limits on these flights are very strict.

The local airline (Malawi Airlines) is available for flights to South Africa and domestically to Blantyre as well. Other more specific domestic destinations are served by charter airline Ulendo Airlink (www.flyulendo.com) which serves destinations including Lilongwe, Mzuzu, Nyika Plateau and Likoma Island.

By Road

All major roads are tarmac and most secondary roads are in decent condition. Some roads in the more rural areas may be in bad condition particularly in rainy weather.

Car hire services are becoming increasingly available, with a number of companies offering a wide choice of vehicles. Standards do vary (even with the internationally franchised chains) so it is worth seeking a recommendation. Nonetheless, cars should be reserved well in advance as they are very much in demand. Chauffeur-driven cars are also available. Malawians drive on the left side of the road. Drivers will be required to hold an International Driving Permit. Be aware that, 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.

There are bus services in all major cities but bus services in rural areas are limited.

Taxis are available in the main towns but they are in short supply and cannot be hailed on the street. Taxi drivers typically expect a tip.

By Train

Central East African Railways (tel: 01 640 844) operates the lines in the country. The main route connects Mchinji, Lilongwe, Salima, Chipoka, Blantyre, Limbe and Nsanje. Trains tend to be slow and crowded and are seldom used by tourists.

By Boat

Cruises on Lake Malawi are available by local steamer. Food and cabins are available. For details contact Inspiration Africa - Malawi.

Vaccinations (obligatory)

All visitors to Malawi over 1 year of age are required to have valid Cholera and Yellow Fever Vaccinations if coming from an infected area/country. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides a list of yellow fever countries.

Vaccinations (recommended)

Malaria: although no vaccination exists, prophylaxis with Lariam (mefloquine), Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil), or Doxycycline is recommended for all areas.

Useful vaccinations - depending on the type of travel - include Hepatitis A and Typhoid as these can be contracted through contaminated food and water regardless of where you eat or stay.

Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella and polio.

It is wise to consider vaccination against rabies if you intend to be working closely with animals or camping in the bush amidst wild animals. Hepatitis B is not really an issue provided one avoids sharing “bodily fluids”.

First Aid & Medical Kit

Although most places visited will be able to assist, it is always wise to carry your own first aid and medical kit including your own malaria tablets and personal medicines:

• Malaria tablets

• Painkiller, Ibuprofen, Cold/flu tablets, Allergy remedy

• Motion sickness tablets

• Heartburn remedy, anti-diarrhoea medicine, rehydration salts

• Antiseptic cream, antihistamine creams or tablets

• A generic large spectrum antibiotic (in case of need)

• Sterile needles (in case you need an injection and don’t trust the hygiene conditions)

• Prescribed medicine (including birth control medicine - enough to last your trip).

• Basic set of  bandages, plasters and second skin

Hospitals and Medical Rescue

Malawi has a considerably good network of hospitals and doctors for tourists. It is advisable to take out international travel insurance and to keep all receipts so that you can claim from your insurance once you return to your home country.

Insect Bites & Stings

Snakes, bugs, spiders, scorpions, crickets, bees, flies and ants abound, but don't be paranoid about these. It is very unlikely that you will encounter a snake, let alone be bitten by one. If you come across one, simply freeze and then retreat slowly backwards to a safe distance. Insects and other beasties are a feature of the African bush. None will kill you, although some can bite. Give them a wide berth and carry antihistamine and antiseptic cream. A simple precaution is to check your bedding before you go to sleep and shake out your shoes and clothes in the morning before you dress!

Water

It is always advisable to drink only bottled or boiled water when travelling, and to wash all fruits and vegetables in clean water. This will avoid any potential for stomach bugs. Much has been made of the prevalence of cholera in Malawi during the rainy season months of December to March, but still the cases appear. Please note that cholera is NOT a threat for visitors. While not denying the impact of this serious disease on poor communities which lack infrastructure, hygiene, and clean water, visitors are very far removed from these threats. All hotels, restaurants, camps and lodges maintain the strictest hygiene codes. Ice and salads are perfectly safe and visitors have no reason to be worried. Self-caterers are simply advised to take sensible precautions about hygiene.

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Hotel restaurants and many of those in the cities are of a good standard. They offer a wide choice of dishes including European, Korean and Chinese as well as authentic Malawi dishes and haute cuisine. Poultry and dairy produce are plentiful and tropical fruits are abundant in season.

Typical Malawian specialities include fresh fish from Lake Malawi. Chambo (Tilapia fish) being the main lake delicacy. There is also trout available from streams on the Zomba, Mulanje and Nyika plateaus. White maize is commonly eaten with vegetables and sometimes meat or fish. Nthochi bread (made with banana)is very popular with locals and travellers alike as are Mbatata cookies (made with sweet potato and cinnamon).

The local beer is very good and Malawi gin and tonic is well known and inexpensive. 

Seasons in Malawi

• Summer (hot and rainy): November – March. The summers are hot, with heavy rainfall, often in the form of afternoon thunderstorms. The weather in November is really interesting, as it can be dry like in October, or rainy as in December. The rains in December can be very heavy and frequent, which are known to induce floods in January and February in the most exposed areas.  Otherwise, the summer rains are limited to short-time heavy showers, leaving that special smell in the air, while the rest of the day is warm to hot and sunny, in some areas it can also be very humid. This is the worse time in malaria-prone regions.

• Autumn (mild & nice) : April – May. Offers very mild and pleasant weather, with little or no rainfall and warm but not oppressive temperatures(both rain and temperatures decline as the season progresses.)

• Winter (fresh & dry): June - August. This season is generally characterized by dry, sunny, crisp days and very cold nights. Warm clothing for the evenings and nights is essential, the temperatures during the day are very warm and comfortable. It is a start of a ‘peak-season’ in Malawi with many cloudless days.

• Spring (mild turning to very hot): September – October. Spring is characterized by mild temperatures – however as we enter into October and November temperatures increase rapidly until the  first rain showers arrive, (normally expected after mid-October or November). Mainly lower areas (around the lake) get hotter.

Seasons and Safari

Pick the best season for your safari, or the best spot for your trip whenever you plan it! It is very important to understand the various seasons when you plan your safari in Malawi or any other location in Africa. The dry season  is normally considered best for game viewing, and thus is also the high season in the safari industry. The green and shoulder seasons have their assets too - such as births and birds - and can be very favourable in certain areas. Malawi and its neighbours offer great safari opportunities for every season!

Dress Code & Attire

No specific dress code is required anymore in Malawi. Whilst swimsuits and sarongs are suitable at holiday resorts, as well as shorts and T shirts (due to the warm weather) – it is expected that people (both genders) dress appropriately in urban / public areas. For women a solution can be a wrap around skirt (locally called a chitenje) which can be found on the market. Please note, that unlike Western world, LGBT is illegal in Malawi and is threatened by prison.

Clothing … or what to pack on Safari

Most people make the mistake of taking along too much clothing. Do take comfortable, casual and semi-casual, “wash and wear” clothes that will fit in with the bush environment as well as be comfortable  to relax in, at your lodge or hotel.

Safari colors & materials

Although there is no need to dress fully in ”Out of Africa” gear, you should avoid Hollywood-style or military clothing. Sensible colours are the classic safari colors (beige, brown, khaki, stone), that can be worn with Taupe, Pecan or Cadet colours as long as it remains neutral to the environment.

Avoid black and blue if you are going to an area with Tsetse flies as they are attracted to both colours. Also avoid white for walking in the bush, as it stands out against the muted brown and green tones of Africa, and will also immediately show dust and dirt. For the majority of African countries, it is still not recommended to wear camouflage clothing that is associated with the military.

Always prefer non-synthetic, comfortable fitting clothes in cotton or linen.

Light & warm clothing

In September - January, temperatures can reach up to 35⁰ C. You will feel most comfortable in shorts and T-shirts during the day, but will appreciate long sleeved shirts and pants to avoid sunburns ( they will also protect you from mosquitoes in the evening). Temperature may drop sharply at night in the period April - August so it is recommended that you also pack a jersey, pullover and warm jacket, which you will enjoy when sitting by the campfire at night (especially for those travelling up north - Nyika Plateau, Luwawa; or further down south - Mulanje, Blantyre, Thyolo).

When planning your safari in the winter (June - August), when the temperatures range from 15⁰ - 28⁰ C during the day, and where early mornings and evenings can be very cold (temperatures as low as 2⁰ - 10⁰ C), be sure to have adequate warm and comfortable clothing including a polar fleece and a warm jacket, especially for the early morning game drives.

Do not forget a rain jacket

Bandanas, cotton scarves and a sarong or pashmina may be very useful as well.

Safari hats

Safari hats are very important and must provide you with complete coverage from the sun (including the back of the neck area). Your hat must allow your head to “breathe”, and be perspiration absorbent on the inside, while waterproof on the outside (for protection in case of a storm.).The ideal is a safari hat which you can flat-pack into your luggage, and will be easy to clean when you get home. It is also a good idea to have a wind cord or cinch strap to secure your hat especially when travelling in an open safari vehicle or on a canoe.

Safari shoes

Pack the right shoes for your safari. If you are going on a walking safari, you must take real safari boots (or rather two pairs of them). But if you are only going to go on an occasional walk, and spend more time on game drives please bring a pair of shoes that are comfortable. Light, comfy sandals which are easy to slip off may actually be the perfect companion, allowing your feet to breathe. Sandals should be able to provide enough protection against thorns, stones and dust. So the smart choice may be to pack both sandals and a pair of safari boots, trainers or normal shoes.

Example clothing list

Adjust depending on the length of your safari and the season you are travelling. Keeping in mind the “wash and wear” option, for 10 days you may need:

• 2-3 pairs of smart casual trousers and 2-3 pairs of shorts

• 1-2 light cotton dresses (or sarongs) for the ladies

• 5 long-sleeve shirts or T-shirts

• 5 short-sleeve shirts or T-shirts

• 1 jersey or good polar fleece

• 1 jacket, anorak or parka (winter), 1 windbreaker or rain jacket (summer)

• 1 pair of walking or running shoes, 1 pair of sandals, rafting or canoeing shoes

• underwear

• 7 pairs of socks

• 1 swimsuit

• 1 belt

• 1-2 pyjamas

• 1 hat

Languages

Malawi has two official languages: English and Chichewa. Guided safaris are usually conducted in English. Inspiration Africa can assist you in Dutch, French, Italian and Spanish as well. If a translator during your trip is required, please make sure you let us know in advance so we can try to arrange one for you and include this in the cost.

Tipping

If you want to show your appreciation for good service, a modest tip is customary, and much appreciated. Tipping is at the sole discretion of the guests and is not compulsory. Tipping should only be done if you feel you have received good service. Below is a brief guideline to assist in assessing what is appropriate in terms of tipping:

• Guides: if they have done a good job, then about US$5 or more per guest per day is a recommended tip. If you have a specialist guide who accompanies you all the way, this could increase to US$10 per guest per day.

• Camp and Lodge Staff: We recommend about US$3 per guest per day. Most lodges or camps have a communal tipping facility at the reception desk which is shared among all staff.

• In Restaurants and Bars 10% is customary but only if you are satisfied with the service. Note that some restaurants automatically add a 10% service charge to the bill.

Please do NOT tip if your service has been bad. It will be more helpful to the future of tourism if you politely inform the management.

Bargaining

It is normal to bargain with vendors and shopkeepers in the market and they do enjoy this. Usually there is about 30% to 50% of the price that can be bargained. Do however note that a lot of work goes into craft work, so one does need to pay a reasonable and fair  price.

Business Hours

Monday to Friday : 8.00 - 12.00 and 13.30 to 17.00 - Saturday: 8.00 - 12.00 (Note that some governmental institutions can be closed).

Custom Regulations

Import regulations:

Free import of goods, new or used:

• 200 cigarettes or 225g of tobacco;

• 1L of spirits (over 25% volume of alcohol)

• 1L of alcohol

• Goods worth up to MWK20,000

The allowance, which is also available to day trippers, may not be claimed more than once in a one month period.
Note that medication is allowed to bring only in original packaging and with medical prescription\certificate.

Prohibited: narcotic and amphetamine drugs; indecent or obscene literature; pornography; firearms and explosive materials; toy firearms; counterfeit items. It is also prohibited to export any form of animal carcases, skulls, ivory, leather and fur. Additionally, wood items/curios can’t be exported without a permit from the Department of Forestry. Hardwood is illegal and shouldn’t be bought or exported.

Documents Check-List

• Passport valid for at least 6 months, 1 unused page (visa if needed)

• Air tickets & vouchers

• Travel insurance

• Emergency phone number and contact details

• Credit cards, travelers cheques and/or cash in currencies

• Additional form of photo ID (e.g. driving license), extra passport photos (2), photocopy of passport, visa and travel tickets to carry separately from your travel documents

• Tourist Visa Form (to be filled in beforehand to save time at the immigration desk - you’ll thank me later!)

• Vaccination certificates (if required), medical history and copies of prescriptions

• Confirmed hotel booking, 3 months latest bank statements

Drinking

No drinking and driving and no drinking in open public areas. Drinking at resort bars and all licensed bars is acceptable.   

Drugs

Drug importation and consumption is not permitted. The local authorities take a zero tolerance policy regarding importation, distribution and consumption. This approach covers all classifications of drugs from cannabis to heroin. Offenders can expect jail sentences and/or heavy fines.

Embassies and Consulates

The Malawian capital Lilongwe hosts 17 embassies, as well as 15 consulates. For further details please visit: http://www.embassypages.com/malawi

Events & Festivals

Malawi boasts many events of a great variety. Including sporting events such as canoe race, mount bike marathon, sailing marathon etc.;  cultural events such as wine tasting; drama , dance, theatre and music shows; art exhibitions and travel shows etc. (Lake of Stars festival) The religious celebrations can benefit to one’s cultural picture of Malawi: traditional African celebrations along with Christianity celebrations such as Easter.

Nightlife

Depending on the town / city there are restaurants, night clubs, as well as casinos. However more likely to experience a nightlife in big cities like Lilongwe and Blantyre.

Photography

The choice of the most appropriate cameras and lenses will determine the quality of photographs on the trip.

For photography of birds and animals a good Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera with a zoom lens is one of the best options. The zoom will give the flexibility required. The minimum size of lens suitable for wildlife photography is a 200mm, more is better. If one plans to use a bigger lens it is worth remembering that most opportunities for photographing game will call for hand-held shots, and longer lenses can produce “camera shake.” Old hands at photographing game swear by the use of beanbags on which to rest one’s lens. If one is in a “hide” watching game then a tripod is a worthwhile option. If you are going to use a digital camera then remember to bring plenty of spare memory cards, spare batteries and battery chargers.

If your budget does not reach to an SLR camera, there are now quite a few fixed-lens digital cameras with quite excellent optical zoom lenses. A x10 optical zoom can give very satisfactory results.

An absolute must for anyone with a camera is to bring along polythene bags to protect your camera and lenses, etc. from dust whilst on your travels.

Photo do’s and dont’s

It is still unwise and risky in many African countries to take photographs of border posts, bridges, airports, harbours, or military/police posts, as it may be mistaken for spying.

Also, rather ask permission before taking photographs of local people, in order to show them respect.

Wildlife won’t require the same protocol.

Public Holidays

1 January - New Year's Day
15 January - John Chilembwe Day
3 March - Martyr’s Day
March or April - Good Friday and Easter Monday
1 May - Labour Day
14 May - Kamuzu Day
Beginning of June - Eid (depends on the sighting of the new moon)
14 June - Freedom Day
6 July - Independence Day
Second Monday of October - Mother’s Day
25 December - Christmas Day
25 December - Boxing Day

Religion

Malawi is a majority Christian country with a significant proportion of Muslim population. It is estimated that around 68% of the population belong to mainstream Christian denominations such as the Roman Catholic and Protestant Church ( Central Africa Presbyterian) however, over the years a variety of indigenous churches and groups have emerged from these mainstream denominations. There are also smaller numbers of other Anglican and Baptist.

Islam accounts for 25% of the population while the remainder of the population includes practitioners of Greek Orthodoxy, Judaism, and traditional indigenous religions. There are also small numbers of Hindus, Jews, Rastafarians, Baha'is, and atheists.

Souvenirs

Nonetheless Malawi has its’ American style shopping malls, where you can find upscale fashion and home décor. However if you strive for unique souvenirs, Malawian market is the place to be. As in most African countries, Malawi is famous for its’ art and different curios. You can find marvelous carvings from wood, ebony wildlife, ceremonial dance masks and many many more. There is no lack of quantity, as you can find craft shops not only in towns, but also by country road-side. Be aware that hardwood curios are illegal and that if you do buy other wood curios you need a special permit from the department of forestry to be able to take it out of the country.