We provide you with an essential practical guide, a compass to use before and during the journey, so that you can start your safari in Malawi with all the necessary and useful tools. It is a guide that we have compiled over many years by, gathering notes, suggestions and valuable information to better answer your frequently asked questions regarding your journey and stay. We want your safari to be safe, comfortable and carefully planned down to the smallest detail. If you do not find all the answers to your questions, we are always available to expand on any topic, dissolve any doubts and satisfy any curiosity.
Malawi in brief
- Capital: Lilongwe
- Population: around 18 million
- Extension: 118,484 km²
- Local Time: +2 GMT
- Language: English and Chewa
- Currency: Malawian Kwacha (MWK)
- International Code: +265
Security
Malawi is a democratic country, its population is hospitable and the crime rate against tourist is low. Nonetheless, we recommend caution and common sense when travelling, especially in the cities and during the evenings. Never display valuables and always keep them in a safe place. Wildlife is unpredictable and can be dangerous. Most lodges are not fenced in and are located in wild areas where animals roam free. Do not touch the animals, do not feed them, do not approach them on foot if you are not accompanied by a guide, and do not make a noise which could attract or scare the animals.
Luggage
We recommend that you limit your luggage to two bags per person, hand luggage included. Soft bags must be used as they are easier to transport and to stow. Internal flights are run by light aircrafts usually setting a weight limit of 15-20 kg per person, hand luggage excluded. Most lodges offer a daily laundry service, usually by hand and not always included in the price.
Insurance
It is mandatory to have a proper travel insurance for the duration of the journey covering medical expenses, lost luggage and travel cancellation. Proof of the insurance coverage must be given before departure from your home country.
Electricity
The electric current in Malawi is 240 V. Some lodges provide electricity through solar panels and generators, sometimes at set times in the morning and after sunset. Others do not have plug sockets in the rooms, but offer the possibility to recharge mobile phones, cameras and other devices at the reception or in the common areas. Plug sockets are 3 squared pins (UK), so we advise you to bring along a universal adaptor. We recommend that you bring along a flashlight for use at night.
Photography
We recommend that you ask for permission before taking pictures of people. Do not take pictures of military personnel and public buildings such as airports or military bases. Never use the flash when you take pictures of animals. It is advisable to bring along a camera, with backup memory cards and batteries, and binoculars.
What to wear
We advise you to wear casual and comfortable clothes. Do not forget the temperature difference between day and night, especially during winter. For outdoor activities we advise you to wear multiple layers of clothing, so that you can easily remove them when the temperature rises. We recommend you wear soft colours, especially tops or shirts and long trousers for protection against sun and insects, a fleece or a warm sweater, a windbreaker, comfortable trekking shoes and flip flops. Do not forget cap, sunglasses and a swimsuit for the lake stays. In winter we advice to also pack a scarf, gloves and wool hat. Lodges often offer blankets and hot drinks for outdoor activities during the coldest hours.
Health
We advise you to contact your doctor or health service to know about anti-malarial prophylaxis and recommended vaccines, that might vary according to seasons and destinations. Upon arrival in Malawi, travellers coming from areas where yellow fever is endemic may be requested to exhibit the yellow fever vaccination certificate. Do not forget spray against mosquitoes and high protection sunscreen. We recommend drinking only bottled water.
Passport and visas
A passport valid for at least 6 months with at least two blank pages and the tourist visa are required to enter Malawi for EU citizens. The visa costs USD 75, it is valid for 30 days and it can be obtained online before departure or upon arrival at the border. Obtaining the entry visa is your responsibility. We advise you to have copies of your personal documents.
Payments
In the lodges accommodation is generally "all inclusive", so it is not necessary to carry much cash in foreign or local currency. Malawian Kwacha (MWK) and US Dollar (USD) are the most used currencies for payments. We advise you to have US Dollars, also in small notes, for payments in the lodges, while in rural areas it is preferred to use Malawian Kwacha because it is often difficult to change money. In the lodges it is advisable to leave a tip of 10-20 USD per person per day for the guide and 5-10 USD per person per day for the staff. In restaurants it is customary to leave a tip equal to 10% of the bill. If you intend to obtain the tourist visa upon arrival at the airport, we recommend to bring USD 75 before departure. Most lodges, shops and restaurants accept major credit cards. Lodges often offer a currency exchange service for the main currencies. Nonetheless, we advise that you exchange currency and withdraw cash from ATMs or banks in the main cities.
Telephone and internet
Mobile phone reception is good in the main cities, but can be erratic or absent in remote areas. Usually communication between lodges in these areas happens via radio or satellite phone. Some lodges have internet connection, accessible at the reception or in the communal areas.
Recommended readings
- Sotto l'albero della vita – Michele Sardella
- Malawi: fiamme nel cielo africano – Luciano Nervi
- The lower river – Paul Theroux
- The heaven shop – Deborah Ellis
- The boy who harnessed the wind – William Kamkwamba
- Venture to the interior – Laurens Van Der Post
- From Microsoft to Malawi – Michael L. Buckler
- Malawi: endangered beauty – David Kelly
- Roberts birds of Southern Africa – Hugh Chittenden and Guy Upfold
- The safari companion: a guide to watching African mammals – Richard Estes