Passport/Visa Requirements: Citizens of Canada and the U.S. need passports but not visas. Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier before departure.
Population: 13,603,181.
Languages: English, Chichewa..
Predominant Religions: Christian, Islamic..
Time Zone: 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+2 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed.
Voltage Requirements: 220 and 240 volts.
Telephone Codes: 265, country code;
| Currency Exchange | Top  |
Malawi's currency is the kwacha. Exchange rates are reasonably steady against the U.S. dollar, U.K. pound and euro. Don't count on using credit cards in Malawi except at the very upmarket hotels, and there are very few ATMs. Only a few banks have had experience in changing traveler's checks, making this a lengthy process. Also, don't count on being able to change large foreign bills.
U.S. dollars are widely used in Malawi, and you may find that a curio seller or hotel receptionist will only be too happy to accept dollar bills instead of kwacha. Be wary of black marketers—although they provide good rates, it is illegal to change money on the streets, and you are in danger of being ripped off.
| Banking Hours | Top |
Monday-Friday 8 am-1 pm.
Taxes, where applicable, are included in prices quoted by shops and hotels.
Tip about 10% for good service.
The best time to go is May-October, when it's the least rainy and humid. During the driest months of September and October, high winds sometimes create dust storms. The rainy season is primarily November-April (there's more rain on the higher plateaus than around the lake). No matter when you visit, take along a sweater to wear in the evening.
| What to Wear | Top  |
Take plenty of light clothing for the day, but also some warmer apparel, such as sweaters or sweatshirts, especially in the mountains, where it can get quite chilly in the evening. Between dusk and dawn, wear long sleeves, long trousers and socks to minimize mosquito bites. For hiking in the mountains, sturdy shoes are strongly recommended, as well as a hat and sunscreen.
| Communication | Top |
| Internet Access | Top |
Most towns and many hotels offer Internet access. There is never any difficulty in finding a small Internet cafe in any town, though the price per minute varies enormously. Before you start surfing, check whether it is a high-speed connection or not. Broadband arrived in 2006.
| Mail & Package Services | Top |
Postal services are reasonably reliable but on the slow side—international mail generally takes at least two weeks. Items of value should be shipped with private courier companies such as DHL.
Phone booths can be found outside most post offices, but they don't always work. More convenient are the small, private phone booths that charge by the minute. If you see anyone sitting on a bench, phone in hand, it's likely to be a phone booth. If you are planning on spending at least a few days in Malawi, it is definitely worth buying a local SIM card (US$5). Top-up cards can be bought from street vendors, petrol stations and most supermarkets. International roaming is also possible.
| Transportation | Top |
Lilongwe International Airport (LLW) is 15 mi/24 km north of Lilongwe and is served by several international carriers. Blantyre airport in the south of the country is also served by regional African airlines. Lilongwe's airport is a little on the old side but perfectly functional. There are exchange bureaus in the arrivals terminal and a line of taxis outside to take you into the city.
The principal means of seeing Malawi include escorted tours, self- and chauffeur-driven cars, taxis (though cabs are in short supply, especially in the government portion of Lilongwe) and local buses that are referred to as chicken buses because of the amount of livestock carried onboard (only for the adventurous). There is limited rail service (to the southern areas), but we found it antiquated, expensive and crowded. We suggest an escorted tour or car and driver as the best way to get around.
Budget travelers have the choice of joining an overland truck trip, and most operators spend at least a few days in Malawi en route from east and southern Africa. Many major towns are connected by all-weather roads, but for extensive travel north of Lilongwe, a four-wheel-drive vehicle with good road clearance is recommended (some dirt roads become impassable in the wet season). Traffic moves on the left.
Malawi Railways operates two lake steamers: the MV Mtendere and the larger Ilala II. Both offer limited cabin space on trips of up to seven days—generally on a less-than-strict schedule. They move up and down the lake, and the major ports of call are Monkey Bay, Nkhotakota and Nkhata Bay as well as the islands of Likoma and Chizimulu. The steamers are often out of service for extended periods because of maintenance problems.
| For More Information | Top |
Tourist Offices
Malawi does not have tourist offices in Canada or the U.S.
Malawi Embassies
Canada: High Commission of the Republic of Malawi, 7 Clemow Ave., Ottawa, ON K1S 2A9. Phone 613-236-8931. Fax 613-236-1054.
U.S.: Embassy of Malawi, 1400 20th St. N.W., Washington, DC 20005. Phone 202-233-4814.
United Kingdom: Malawi High Commission, 70 Winnington Road, London, N2 0TX. Phone 020-8455-5626.
Foreign Embassies in Malawi
Canada is represented by the Canadian High Commission in Zambia: Canadian High Commission, 5199 United Nations Ave., Lusaka, Zambia. Phone 260-125-0833. Fax 260-125-4176.
U.S. Embassy, Area 40, City Center, Lilongwe. Phone 265-773-166. Fax 265-770-471.
| Additional Reading | Top |
Sunrise With Seamonsters: A Paul Theroux Reader by Paul Theroux (Houghton Mifflin). Includes stories about the author's experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi.
