| Malawi is the 'warm heart of Africa', Malawi is a | | | | GMT +2 |
| stable, safe African country known for its people | | | | TIPPING: |
| with their welcoming smiles and friendly nature. | | | | Tipping is permitted. |
| The centre-piece of its tourism, though, is the | | | | TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION: |
| enchanting Lake Malawi, Livingstone's 'Lake of | | | | Lake Malawi: |
| Stars'. Boasting a rich diversity of wildlife, fish and | | | | One of the world's biological wonders and Africa's |
| bird life as well as flora, the country is ideal for | | | | third-largest lake, Lake Malawi forms an inland sea |
| nature lovers with its Lake Malawi Marine Park | | | | with a rich marine life surrounded by palm-fringed |
| having been declared a Unesco World Heritage | | | | beaches and lively villages; sailing, waterskiing, |
| Site. | | | | scuba diving and game fishing for Tiger Fish and |
| Varied treasures including many unique species | | | | Lake Salmon can be done here; Lake Malawi |
| await bird watchers, anglers, outdoor and water | | | | Marine Park in the south has been declared a |
| sport enthusiasts and game viewers. Other ways | | | | Unesco World Heritage Site and protects a unique |
| to enjoy the country include sampling the local | | | | diversity of tropical fish (more than 400 species |
| 'chambo' fish or a Malawi Gin and Tonic and buying | | | | have been identified, most of which are unique to |
| souvenirs made by highly skilled craftsmen, such | | | | these waters), a renowned colony of otters and |
| as chief's chairs, floor mats, wooden masks, | | | | a rich birdlife. |
| traditional cane items, baskets, carvings and raffia | | | | Kasungu National Park: |
| beach hats. | | | | Miombo woodland interspersed with sandy plains |
| CAPITAL: | | | | and wide rivers; ideal for game viewing and bird |
| Lilongwe | | | | watching especially at Lifupa Dam; of particular |
| CLIMATE: | | | | interest is Kasungu's famous elephants; Stone and |
| Tropical with wet and dry seasons. Dry season | | | | Iron Age sites and rock paintings can be found. |
| (Apr-Nov) is also a good time to visit. Warm | | | | Zomba Plateau: |
| months are mid-Aug to Nov, with October the | | | | Stands 900m above the city of Zomba covered |
| hottest. Rains (Nov-Apr) are intermittent. In | | | | in evergreen forest and verdant grassland; home |
| winter (dry season) there are high winds and | | | | to Blue Monkeys, rare montane forest birds and |
| some dust storms. | | | | epiphytic orchids; ideal for fishing in the Mulunguzi |
| CURRENCY: | | | | Dam and hiking; the viewing points of Queen's |
| 1 Malawi Kwacha = 100 Tambala. USD or Pounds | | | | View and Emperor's View allows visitors to take |
| Sterling traveller's cheques are recommended. | | | | in the invigorating air; of interest in Zomba city |
| Credit cards are not commonly accepted, except | | | | are the traditional African market and botanical |
| in big hotels. Foreign exchange shortages can be a | | | | gardens. |
| problem. The import of foreign currency is | | | | Nyika National Park: |
| unlimited if declared. The export of foreign | | | | The Northern Highlands form the greatest |
| currency is allowed up to the amount declared | | | | wilderness area in Malawi; the Nyika Plateau holds |
| upon arrival. | | | | Africa's highest concentration of roan antelope, |
| ELECTRICITY: | | | | great herds of eland and other mountain game, |
| 230 volts, 50Hz. Plugs are 3-pin square. | | | | which can be viewed from horseback; other |
| HEALTH: | | | | activities include mountain biking, birding, trout |
| A yellow fever inoculation is an official requirement | | | | fishing and hiking; alpine flowers, orchids and |
| for travellers coming from an infected country or | | | | proteas cover the high meadows; nearby visit the |
| area. Visitors are advised to take pre-arrival | | | | Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve. |
| precautions against malaria (risk exists throughout | | | | Liwonde National Park: |
| the year in the whole country), Hepatitis A, polio | | | | Malawi's premier game area and habitat of the Big |
| and typhoid. Other health concerns are meningitis | | | | Five, this riverine park on the bank of the Shire |
| (depending on time of year and area visited); | | | | River features many hippo, elephant, crocodile, |
| insect-borne diseases; cholera (officially considered | | | | lion, leopard and birds; a must-do is the leisurely |
| infected); bilharzia (some stretches of Lake | | | | boat safari upriver into Lake Malombe; the Park |
| Malawi: it is recommended that you don't swim in | | | | contains the only population of Lilian's lovebird in |
| stillwater pools or ponds in rivers below the | | | | Malawi. |
| plateaux or on the shores of Lake Malawi away | | | | Lengwe National Park: |
| from the sandy beaches of lake-side tourist | | | | Home to the attractive Nyala Antelope, buffalo, |
| resorts, Lake Malawi should not be used as a | | | | Livingstone's Suni and birds like the Gorgeous |
| source of drinking water unless water has been | | | | Bush-strike, African Broadbill and Crested |
| boiled or filtered first); pollen (people with allergies | | | | Guineafowl. |
| or asthma may suffer discomfort from pollen | | | | Lilongwe: |
| etc.); poor medical facilities; unavailability of | | | | Also known as the 'Garden City' for its colourful |
| medicines; and HIV/AIDS. | | | | flowering trees and wooded slopes of indigenous |
| LANGUAGE: | | | | trees; visit the Kitu Botanical Gardens; Chinese |
| Chichewa is the national language and widely | | | | Pagoda and Water Gardens; Capital Hill; National |
| spoken. English is the official language. | | | | Library; Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary; New Market; |
| PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: | | | | Old Market; Old Town; and Asian Quarter. |
| New Year's Day (1 Jan); John Chilibwe Day (15 | | | | Blantyre: |
| Jan); Martyr's Day (3 Mar); Good Friday (9Apr); | | | | Founded in 1876, this is the commercial capital of |
| Easter Monday (12 Apr); Labour Day (1 May); | | | | Malawi; surrounded by hills and mountains; visit the |
| Freedom Day (14 Jun); Independance Day (16 Jul); | | | | nearby Michiru Mountain Park; Thyolo tea district; |
| Mother's Day (9 Oct); Christmas Day (25 Dec); | | | | Shire river and game parks; Majete and Mwabyi |
| Boxing Day (26 Dec) | | | | Game Reserves and curio shops. |
| SHOPPING: | | | | Mount Mulanje: |
| Wood and soapstone carvings; wood and cane | | | | An isolated massif containing 20 granite peaks, the |
| furniture; pottery; beadwork; colourful fabrics; | | | | highest of which soars to 3000m offers serious |
| raffia items; instruments. | | | | climbers several challenging routes; spectacular |
| SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: | | | | waterfalls, forests and tea plantations decorate |
| Over 99 percent of the population is African, with | | | | the area; of botanical interest is the Mulanje |
| the largest group being Chewa. The main religious | | | | cedar, believed to be unique to this area. |
| beliefs are traditional. Suits or jacket and tie are | | | | Viphya Plateau: |
| suitable for business meetings. Although the dress | | | | A must-do for bird watchers; the Luwawa Dam |
| code is now more relaxed than used to be the | | | | has established itself as an adventure centre, with |
| case, visitors should take care not to offend local | | | | canoeing, abseiling, rock climbing and more |
| sensitivities. | | | | available. |
| TIME DIFFERENCE: | | | | |