Malawi Flights and Travel Guide

Language

English is the official language, but Chichewa is more commonly spoken.

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Money

The official currency is the Malawi Kwacha (MWK), which is divided into 100 tambalas. Travelers checks and foreign currencies are accepted by banks, authorized hotels and other institutions in the main town centers; bureau de change are also available. The U.S. dollar is the easiest currency to exchange. Credit cards are not widely accepted and ATMs are scarce and should not be relied upon. Exchanging currency on the black market is not recommended.

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Communications

The international dialing code for Malawi is +265. The outgoing code is 101 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 1011 for the U.S.). There are no city/area codes required. The telephone system is not very reliable, but Internet, e-mail and fax are available in most towns and tourist areas. The GSM 900 cell phone network gives coverage to most of the country and is compatible with most international operators.

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Tipping

Service charges are not included in hotel and restaurant bills, and tipping is at the client's discretion. It is common practice to tip guides in the national parks.

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Safety

Malawi is considered a safe country in which to travel and the majority of visits are trouble-free, but sensible precautions should be taken with regards to personal possessions and security, particularly after dark. There have been reports of robberies, money scams involving tourists, and 4x4 vehicles being hijacked; also be alert for muggers and bag snatchers. In Lilongwe the majority of incidents take place on Kenyatta Drive and around the bus station, so visitors should be particularly vigilant in these areas.

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Health

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers coming from an infected area. Malaria is prevalent all year round and advice should be sought on what prophylactics are best. There is a risk of bilharzia in certain parts of Lake Malawi, particularly where the water is shallow and stagnant - advice should be sought from local authorities. Immunization against typhoid, hepatitis, tetanus, rabies and polio is recommended. Tsetse flies carrying sleeping sickness exist in some of the national parks. HIV/AIDS is highly prevalent. It is advisable to drink bottled water, which is widely available, as drinking water may not be safe especially in the rural areas. Hospitals are available in the large towns, but medical facilities are basic, immediate cash payment for medical services is often required, and some medicines may be in short supply; medical insurance is strongly advised.

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Electricity

Electrical current is 220/240 volts, 50Hz. Three-pin, rectangular blade plugs are standard.

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