Capital: Lilongwe
Time zone: GMT + 2
Telephone services: Country Code: 265
Outgoing Code: 101
Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.
Tourist information: Department of Tourism, PO Box 402, Blantyre, Malawi Tel: 620 300 Fax: 620 947
Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Consult embassy before departure.
Visa information: Not required. On arrival a 3 month Visa will be issued . Extensions will not normally be granted in Malawi.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists throughout the year in the Falciparum variety. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by visitors travelling from infected areas within the last 6 days.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia and Rabies, high prevalence of AIDS/HIV. Visitors should seek medical advice before travelling.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: Kwacha (Mk) = 100 Tambala Exchange: Less well known currencies are difficult to exchange
Limited acceptance mainly in the capital and main hotels. Travellers Cheques: Sterling and US$ can be exchanged in banks and hotels. There is limited acceptance of credit cards. American Express MasterCard and Diners Club are accepted in the capital city and main hotels. US dollars and Pound sterling are the preferred currency in travellers cheques. ATM availability: Unavailable
Cost of living: Malawi’s economy fluctuates with developments in the climate. Currently the cost of living is reasonable due to the country’s heavy borrowing.
Languages: English, Chichewa and various other African languages
Weather: Winter: May – July and gets cold at night. Nov – Mar is the raining season
Electricity: 220/240 Volts AC, 50 Hz Plugs = Various types used. Most modern buildings use square 3 pin
Post: 10 Days to Europe
Transport: RAIL: Regular but slow and expensive services. ROAD: All major and most secondary are all weather roads. DOCUMENTATION: UK licence is sufficient
Special information: Dress laws should be observed and respected. Long hair for men is disliked. Bag snatching is a problem in the main towns and cities. Be cautious of people who offer to act as guides.