Malawi Travel Guide

Malawi — Travel Tips

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Social Conventions

Despite the large number of tribal backgrounds in the Malawi population, integration is well established and visitors need not be aware of any social differences. The white population is very small in number. There are some religious differences, most noticeable among the Muslim population and especially as far as alcohol consumption is concerned. Malawians place emphasis on the importance of shaking hands on meeting and departing. The special handshake, which includes grasping the thumb and putting the other hand on the forearm, is best avoided unless practiced. Children and some women may curtsey as a greeting or if being made a presentation. Offering a soft drink to a visitor is common at meetings. Malawians tend to be conventional rather than casual in their dress, especially in formal gatherings. The strict dress code of Dr Banda’s days are gone but modest dress should be worn unless at the beach or playing sport.

International Travel

Getting There By Air

The national airline is Air Malawi (QM) (website: www.airmalawi.com).

Departure Tax

A passenger service charge of US$30 (payable in US currency only) is levied on all international flights. Malawi passport holders can pay in local currency (Mk1,500). Children under two years of age and transit passengers are exempt.

Main Airports

Lilongwe (LLW) (Lilongwe International) is 26km (16 miles) from the city (journey time – 25 to 30 minutes). To/from the airport: Taxis and a bus service are available to the city from the airport. Facilities: Duty-free shop, post office, local travel agents, car hire, bank/bureau de change, restaurant and bar.

Blantyre (BLZ) (Chileka) is 13km (8 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: There is a coach service to the city. Facilities: Car hire, restaurant and bar.

Getting There By Water

The Ilala Ferry connects Malawian ports with Metangula and Cóbuè in Mozambique.

Getting There By Rail

Central East African Railways (CEAR) (tel: 01 640 844) has a network which extends from the Zambian border in the west to connections with Mozambique’s Nacala corridor in the east and Beira corridor in the south.

Getting There By Road

There are road connections with Mozambique at Mwanza in southwestern Malawi and at Chiponde in the east; with Tanzania at the Songwe River Bridge in the far northwest of the country. From Zambia, the main crossing point is on the main Lilongwe–Lusaka highway 30km (19 miles) east of Chipata in the west. Border crossing points are generally open between 0600-1800.

A luxury coach service connects Blantyre with Johannesburg (South Africa).

Duty Free

Overview

The following goods may be imported into Malawi by passengers without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 225g of tobacco in any form.
• For those over 18 years of age, also 1L of spirits and 1L of beer and 1L of wine.
• A reasonable quantity of consumer goods to meet the traveler's immediate needs.

Restricted items
The import of firearms is prohibited unless a permit has been bought in advance from the Registrar of Firearms, Box 41, Zomba.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Air

Air Malawi (QM) (website: www.airmalawi.com) has a domestic network that provides regular links between Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Club Makokola on the southern lakeshore. Jakamaka Air Charters (website: www.jakamaka.net) serves the main tourist destinations in the country, including the Nyika and Liwonde National Parks and Likoma Island.

Getting Around By Water

Cruises on Lake Malawi are available by local steamer. Food and cabins are available. For details contact local travel bureau.

Getting Around By Rail

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 little used by tourists.

Getting Around By Road

Traffic drives on the left. All major roads are tarmac and most secondary roads are all-weather.

Bus: There is a good bus system, including an express service, connecting main towns. The journey from Mzuzu to Karonga is particularly spectacular. Luxury coaches connect Blantyre to Lilongwe and Mzuzu.

Car hire: This is 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.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.