Malawi – Travel Guide
Discover Malawi, a land of hidden gems and natural wonders, from the tranquil shores of Lake Malawi to the rugged landscapes of the Nyika Plateau. Indulge in authentic cuisine, savoring traditional dishes like nsima and chambo fish, infused with local spices and flavors. Immerse yourself in nature in the Liwonde National Park, home to diverse wildlife including elephants and hippos. Marvel at the spectacular views of Mount Mulanje and the stunning waterfalls of Lake Malawi. Experience the warmth of Malawian hospitality in the bustling markets of Lilongwe and the charming villages of the countryside. Malawi invites you to explore its breathtaking scenery and vibrant culture, promising an unforgettable journey in the heart of Africa.
All about Malawi
Malawi FAQ
What is Malawi known for?
Malawi is known for its diverse and picturesque landscapes, vibrant culture, and unique wildlife. It is a country of contrasts, with lush mountains, pristine freshwater lakes, and vast plains. Beyond its natural beauty, Malawi is also known for its warm and welcoming people. The Malawian culture is characterized by traditional dances, vibrant music, and colorful festivals that celebrate the country’s heritage. The arts and crafts scene thrives, with artisans skillfully crafting intricate wood carvings, pottery, and textiles. In summary, Malawi captivates visitors with its stunning landscapes, welcoming culture, and diverse wildlife, offering an unforgettable experience that reflects the country’s natural wonders and the resilience of its people.
What are the best places to visit in Malawi?
The capital, Lilongwe, mix of modern infrastructure and cultural heritage. The city is divided into two main areas: the Old Town and the City Center. In the Old Town, visitors can explore the bustling markets, such as the Lilongwe Market, where vibrant stalls offer a wide array of local crafts, produce, and food. The City Center features modern buildings, including the Parliament building and the Capital Hill government complex. Another notable site is the Lilongwe Wildlife Center, a sanctuary for rescued animals, which also serves as an education and conservation facility. Additionally, Lilongwe boasts beautiful parks and gardens, such as the sprawling Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary, providing peaceful retreats within the city.
How many days should I spend in Malawi?
We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.
What is the best way to get around Malawi?
By Rental Car: If you`ve got a bit more time, consider renting a car. Car rental is readily available at the airport and other major cities, though it is a bit expensive compared with other forms of transportation.
What is the currency of Malawi?
The currency of Malawi is the Malawian Kwacha (MWK). When visiting Malawi, it’s advisable to carry smaller denominations of currency for day-to-day transactions, as it may be challenging to get change for larger bills in some places. It’s also a good idea to check the current exchange rates and consider exchanging currency at authorized banks or foreign exchange bureaus.
Do people speak English in Malawi?
Yes, English is one of the official languages of Malawi and is widely spoken and understood throughout the country. English serves as the language of government, education, business, and the media. It is also commonly used for communication between people of different ethnic groups and tribes in Malawi, as there are numerous languages spoken within the country.
Best time to visit Malawi
The best time to visit Malawi is during the drier months from early May to late October (dry season). This is a cooler time of year with sunny days, pleasant evenings, and perfect temperatures. The winter period of this season can be chilly in the north of the country, but down on the shores of Lake Malawi, you can expect warm, dry days and nice weather.
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This is also the best time to go to Malawi for game viewing, as much of the vegetation has thinned out and animals can be found concentrated at rivers and permanent waterholes.
Dec – May (Rainy Season)
The topography of Malawi is a bit different from its surrounding neighbors. Malawi has lots of mountains and varied landscapes, and regional variations in weather are significant. Typically the higher up you go, the colder it is. So, the tea estates and the northern parks can be cold in the winter, you may even get some frost (no snow though!). The lower-lying lakeshore areas are warmer all year round. Temperatures in the highlands are refreshingly cool during the day, with chilly evenings, particularly this time of year.
The heaviest rains are often in December, January, and February. The country begins to dry out in April as the rains subside, replaced with increasing sunshine and stable temperatures.
Jun – Aug (Dry Season)
June through August can be a bit cooler, the sort of weather where you’d still wear a light jacket and shorts. During this time, the rains have subsided and there are fewer insects around. The days are warm and sunny but the evenings are cooler. This is peak season but that doesn’t mean it’s when most of the animals are around, it actually means peak season because the prices are higher.
September to November is when it starts to get hot! Not too hot though (thanks to the mountains), but you may want to consider a lodge with AC over the eco-lodges that can offer you great views but not a cooling fan. During this period water sources in parks are drying up and you will often see lots of animals congregating around one water hole.
Tipping in Malawi
This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these `tips` will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.
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The questions `when?` and `how much?` that surround tipping can leave some travelers confused, as the practice varies. This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these `tips` will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.
Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use Kwacha?
The currency of Malawi is the Kwacha. The exchange rate fluctuates so we recommend that you check the exchange rate close to the time of your travel. You can buy Kwacha in Malawi and it is useful for buying items from local shops. Some hotels and restaurants will accept and prefer payment in US dollars. Credit cards are not widely accepted in Malawi, even at many of the accommodations, and there are few ATMs. We would therefore recommend you take plenty of US dollars with you in order to pay locally for drinks and extra activities at your accommodations.
Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars: When should I tip? How much is customary?
Tipping in Malawi is completely voluntary and dependent on the quality of the service you have received. It is absolutely acceptable to reward good service, but you should also be mindful of the potential impact that tipping may have on the local community.
Tips can make a large difference to those in the service industry, such as waiters, and bartenders. However, there’s a fine line between the right amount to tip and tipping too much: excessive tips can really affect the balance of the local economy. It is important to recognize the discrepancy in living costs between US and Malawi and not to tip in too high amounts. Better to tip little and often, and to make sure that everyone involved in the service you have received gets some of the tips.
Service charges are not included in restaurant bills in Malawi. Tipping 10-15% for good service at a restaurant is acceptable. If you’re just buying a drink, it’s fine to leave the change rather than a specific tip at the bar.
Hotel Staff: Who should I tip?
Most lodges suggest a collective tip to be given to the manager when checking out that will be distributed fairly amongst all the staff. Suggest amount is $5 US per guest per night.
One-off tips: If people wish to tip a particular person for a one-off event (i.e. porter, local guide), anything from MK100 to MK500 is suggested.
Tour Guides: Is a tip required?
If you go on safari, it’s customary to give a tip to your guide and the staff at the camps and lodges. The amount varies depending on the quality of the guides and staff service.
Miscellaneous: Is there anyone I should tip that I would not normally?
Please remember these are just guidelines and not compulsory.
Driving in Malawi
Malawi’s one of the few countries in Africa’s southeast where self-driving can be done and infrastructure allows it. Although you can see a lot of the country using public transportation, to get to some off-the-beaten-track locations in this beautiful country, and to explore the wildlife and national parks at your leisure, you’ll want to plan to drive.
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Overview
Malawi is a great country to head out onto the road and self-explore. Labeled the “friendliest country in the world”, Malawi is over 45,000 sq miles, with an estimated population of over 18 million. With Lake Malawi taking up a third of Malawi’s landmass, it basically means that very few areas in Malawi are truly remote. This means that, while driving across the country can be an adventure, it’s also very easy for less experienced drivers (in terms of changing tires, seeking someone with roadside mechanical skills, or help with directions).
Exploring by car allows you to go at your own pace, as you pass villages and busy trading centers, overflowing with crowds locals interacting; from markets, to cattle grazing, maize grinding and roadside cooking. The journey will never be dull, as you navigate your way around dogs and goats, a few select potholes and a minubus or two, but you need to always keep your wits about you.
Road Conditions
Malawi’s road conditions differ significantly from those in the United States. Malawi’s principal highways are generally in good condition, although safety hazards include the lack of road shoulders, frequent potholes, pedestrians, bicyclists, and livestock. Secondary roads are in poor repair and may be impassable to all but four-wheel drive vehicles during the rainy season (November – April). Public transportation, consisting primarily of minibusses, is unreliable and accidents are common. Modern coach buses are increasingly common on the main cross-country routes. Fuel supply, both diesel and gasoline, is often erratic, and travelers should plan accordingly.
Road support networks for stranded drivers do not exist. Police roadblocks are common and properly documented drivers usually pass quickly and without incident. Most drivers operate their automobiles with no regard to traffic laws at all. It is always best to take precautionary measures when driving in Malawi to avoid accidents and worse, casualties.
Road Sings
The language used for the road signs and traffic lights in Malawi is English. Danger warning signs are for warning road-users of a danger on the road and to inform them of its nature. There are regulatory signs to let road-users know of prohibitions they must follow. Their classifications are the mandatory, cautionary, and informative signs. The informative signs are signs used to guide while you are traveling. These include advance, direction, road and place identification, and confirmatory signs. The list below are specific signs per category:
Mandatory Signs include:
Stop Sign
Yield Sign
Pedestrian Crossing Yield Sign
Cross on Walk Signal Only Sign
Road Closed Sign
Truck Permitted Sign
Exempt Plaque Sign
Do Not Pass Light Rail Transit Only Sign
Do Not Drive On Tracks Sign
Look Sign
Night Speed Limit Sign
Truck Speed Limit Sign
Cautionary Signs include:
No Signal Sign
Dead End Sign
Construction Arrow Sign
Skewed Railroad Sign
Horse-Drawn Vehicle Sign
Bear Sign
Wildlife Sign
Wheelchair Sign
Low Clearance Sign
Farm Machinery Sign
500 Feet Distance Warning Sign
No Traffic Signs Sign
Workers Symbol Sign
Stop Ahead Sign
Informative Signs include:
Parking Area Sign
Park & Ride Sign
Freeway Entrance Sign
Town Distance Sign
National Scenic By-ways Sign
Phone Symbol Sign
Tourist Information Sign
Electric Vehicle Symbol Sign
Police Sign
Hospital Symbol Sign
Interstate Route Sign
Emergency Notification Sign
Interstate Business Loop 3 Sign
Phone Symbol With Arrow Sign
It is important for every driver to understand traffic road signs and follow traffic rules and regulations. Remember to always drive safely.
Speed Limits
There is a national speed limit law in Malawi. The best speed limit in Malawi is 80 kilometers per hour in urban areas. Malawi uses kph in driving speed. There is a tolerable speed limit of 80 kph in urban areas and 110 kph in Rural areas.
You may drive at a general speed limit of 120 kilometers per hour on every freeway. More rural areas have lesser traffic. This law implementation is all over the country, including the freeways. They have radar-based traps and security officers deployed everywhere. You can get a fine on the spot. Any person exceeding the speed limit will be fine MKW8,000.00
Documents and Laws
Each driver must present a complete, valid and original national driver’s license, held for a minimum of 2 years. If the license is not in the language used in the destination country (Malawi), it is highly recommended to have an International Driver’s Permit accompanying the national driver’s license. Each driver has to bring a valid and original photo ID or passport of their own.
For car rentals, you much have a personal credit card with sufficient funds. Rental companies will not accept third-party credit cards. Online payment for reservations does not exempt the renter from supplying a valid international credit card during the pick-up of the vehicle.
The rental company shall temporarily keep the amount of the security deposit and, where applicable, any additional local charges not covered by the prepaid voucher on the card issued at the location of the rental. At the rental location, you have to present a manual copy of the Booking Confirmation Voucher. The document will officially confirm all agreed services, payment terms, rates, discounts, as well as the availability of vehicles within the selected group.
Car Rentals
Several car rental companies offer a wide of car rentals including economic, compact, medium, full-size, truck, and luxury rentals. The airport locations normally have the biggest range to choose from. Extras are also available, such as a child seat or ski rack.
Top Cities in Malawi
What to expect while traveling
