A bicycle taxi is a standard bike that has been modified. It has a padded seat over the back wheel and spokes for your feet.

Motorbike Taxis are very common. Motorbike taxis and their riders tend to hang out together in the shade anywhere there will be many people. So you’re likely to see them close to shopping malls.

Tuk-tuks are a cheap way to get around Lilongwe. They are much easier to spot than a taxi and an excellent way to get around.

Kamuzu International Airport (LLW), located 16 miles north of the city center has regular flights to Addis Ababa, Johannesburg and Nairobi. There are also domestic services to Blantyre on Air Malawi and Swiftair. There are flights both to the capital Lusaka, Zambia and safari destination Mfuwe through the two main Air Charter companies; Nyassa Air Taxi and Executive Air Charters.

The main forms of transportation in Lilonge and all of Malawi include car rental, tour and safari operators, public transit, and taxis. The town is very spread out so getting around can be a bit of a chore. You can pick up taxis from the Lilongwe Hotel (in the Old Town) and the Capital Hotel (in the Capital City).

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a minibus. Minibusses (or as locals say “Matatus”) are typically small Toyota Hi-Ace vans that are cheap, but they are also very crowded and you will be sitting close to your fellow passengers. Not only are they a tight squeeze but they often stop for long periods to wait for more passengers.

There are regular bus services from Johannesburg, Harare, and Lusaka. Intercape has the largest intercity bus route network in Southern Africa.

There are also executive buses which are a bit more expensive and require booking in advance before your trip. Buses can take you from district to district and are a comfortable means of transportation. There is a wide range of bus companies according to your budget and choice.

Transport is not always easy to get at late hours of the night so always make sure you have means of transport to get back to where you’re staying. Taxis are available. Lilongwe is said to be unsafe at night so don’t walk alone after dark.

Malawi is a safe country and can be great for families who are on the adventurous side. It’s diversity and relative newness to North Americans is its charm.

Malaria is a risk in most parts of Malawi so we would advise that you see a doctor before visiting to ensure you are protected.

Yellow Fever is a risk in Malawi however you should only need a Yellow Fever certificate if you have visited an endemic area immediately before entering Malawi.

Safety: Malawi is generally a safe and friendly country to visit and crimes against tourists are rare. We advise you to take taxis after dark and if you do need to walk at night, keep to buy streets and preferably walk in a group. Also note, being gay is an illegal and imprisonable offense in Malawi, so please be aware of this when visiting.

Diarrhea and food borne illness is a common problem among travelers. Travelers are urged to avoid tap water, ice cubes, raw fruits and vegetables. Bottled water is recommended for drinking and food preparation. Only food that is well-cooked and served hot should be consumed.

The currency of Malawi is the Malawian Kwacha (MK), US dollars are widely accepted throughout the country. Credit card acceptance is improving but don’t rely on it in Malwi’s more remote destinations.

Generally speaking, Malawi is a very affordable destination so your spending money should go far. If you’re traveling with dollars, we’d recommend bringing some small denomination bills as you can pick up genuinely beautiful and affordable handmade crafts at the local markets.

The best time to visit for wildlife viewing is during the dry season between May and October, this is also the time of year for the most comfortable temperatures. The rains come between November and April.

Chichewa is the national language of Malawi, however there are many different local dialects. English is the official language and is widely spoken.

The cuisine of Malawi has not been influenced by many other cultures, and as a result, it has remained very traditional. There are many farmers in Malawi and the population grows much of the food. The country is known for its ‘tuck shops’, small shops found in rural areas that sell a variety of snack foods. These foods include meat pies, sausage rolls, bunny chow (rolls that have been deep fried and stuffed with a mix of curry meat and potato mix. Lake Malawi is not only a popular tourist destination, it is also a source of great fresh fish that is the country’s specialty.

Popular dishes include:

Chambo: A fish from Lake Malawi, Chambo is Tilapia fish and is considered a delicacy. Other favorite fish include usipa, which is similar to sardines, and mpasa, which is similar to salmon.

Nsima: This is a staple of Malawi food. It is made from ground corn and served with side dishes of meat or vegetables. People in Malawi can eat this for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Kachumbari: This is a tomato and onion salad.

Nthochi: This is bread made with bananas.

Kondowde: This dish is made from cassava flour and water and is eaten with fish.

Malawi hosts the fabulous Lake of Stars Festival in September. There are also a couple of smaller festivals such as the Sand Music Festival (September/October) and the Tumaini Festival (November), which takes place at the Dzaleka Refugee Camp.

Medical facilities in Malawi are rudimentary and do not meet U.S. standards of medical care. While all health workers have some degree of English proficiency, communication can still be difficult. Medications are not consistently available and many American medications are not available at all. Travelers should bring adequate quantities of medications to last the duration of their stay. For any major medical problems travelers should consider obtaining medical treatment in South Africa, where advanced medical care is available.