Tips on Namibia

F.A.Q'S

MALAWI

Currency & Money:
Currency = The Malawian Kwatcha
Recently the National Bank have joined the VISA network and one can obtain cash froom ATM's - only at certain National Bank ATM's and only with a VISA card. Credit cards are accepted at large hotels but very few other places. You can obtain cash against your credit card from some Exchange Bureaus, but the rate is lousy. Although camping fees may be quoted in US Dollars, payment is always in local currency.

Visas:
Not required by most visitors. On arrival you will be given a 30 day permit to visit Malawi which is easily extendable.

Language:
English is spoken by everyone we met.

Climate:
The weather is generally temperate, but with the many different geographical areas, some of the high lying areas can be quite chilly, while it gets extremely hot in the Lower Shire Valley from September to November. We were at Lake Malawi in winter (July 2005) and the days were hot with cool, pleasant nights. We have no intention to ever visit the Lake in the height of summer!

Accommodation:
Backpackers and campers are reasonably well catered for, although there is sometimes not much choice. A number of up-market hotels and lodges can be found in the cities and at tourist spots.

Tourism Information and bookings:
Malawi Department of Tourism
website: www.malawi.net

Things to consider:
Road Usage Permit: Some vehicles are required to pay a "toll" to use the roads in Malawi and it is calculated on the distance you intend travelling in the country. If you are required to pay this "toll", then make sure you tell the cashier your intended itinerary and make sure that the route is written on your receipt. Our sojourn through Malawi cost us US$84!! It's a long story but it appears that we were probably overcharged. There are a number of roadblocks at which you have to produce your receipt and you will be required to make payment on-the-spot if you have not paid enough.

Road Blocks: There are many, many road blocks. Some are manned by Police which may check your Driver's Licence and Insurance and do random checks on road worthiness. Others are manned by RTA officials who will check to see that you have paid your road toll. Others are Customs officials who will want to see your Carnet or your Temporary Import Permit for your vehicle.

Price of Fuel: Fuel is slightly cheaper than in Zambia. Wholesale Diesel is available in some places for those buying over 100 litres; the saving is worth the effort.

Road conditions: The main roads are generally good with the occasional pothole just to remind you that you are in Africa! Once off the main roads, seasonal rains can cause major mayhem and wash aways, so check locally first.

Visas: Make sure your passport is stamped at your point of entry and the visa you are issued is for more time than you intend staying in the country. If you have a breakdown you don't need your visa expiring to add to your problems. Visas can easily be extended at any Immigration Office; it took us just five minutes to extend our visas to 90 days in Blantyre.

Third-party: You are required to either buy Third-party insurance at your point of entry or have COMESA cover for Malawi.

Places we stayed:

Place Comments Cost

Kiboko Lodge, Lilongwe This small campsite and backpackers lodge is popular with tourists. It does not really cater for vehicles with rooftop tents or similar vehicles as the parking area and the camping area are separate. Average food is available from the kitchen and they have an on-site Internet station. There is no electricity in the camping site and the unisex showers are generally lukewarm to cold. US$3.00 per person per day, plus US$1.00 if you wish to connect to the electricity.

Doogles,
Blantyre This the party place on Tuesdays and Thursday nights. It is not ideal for rooftop tents as the camping ground is the parking lot. There is a separate area for ground tents. They have a good Internet set-up, offer a dorm for backpackers and information about Malawi is abundant. No electricity is available in the campsite. US$3.00 per person per night

Nyala Lodge,
Lengwe National Park, Lower Shire Valley This is one of those "secret" places that you tell everyone about! The lodge and campsite were previously managed by the local Park authorities, but the new owners have revamped the place splendidly. The campsite will be finished soon. What is special about Nyala Lodge is the people; the staff are so friendly and make you feel so welcome. The food is FABULOUS and not expensive. Birdlife is prolific and there are 2000 buffalos in this small reserve along with a host of other game. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
www.nyala-lodge-malawi.com US$5.00 per person per night

Limbe Country Club, Limbe Step into colonial history as you camp on the side of the playing fields. Hot showers and clean toilets are available in the Clubhouse. Good food at very reasonable prices. Electricity is available in the campsite. US$5.00 per person per night

Kuchawe Trout Farm, Zomba Plateau A lovely quiet forest paradise. The ablutions, with hot showers, are far from the campsite but the walk is pleasant. There is no food available and there is no electricity so you need to be self-sufficient. Trout fishing, fresh fruit, hiking & bird-watching. US$3.65 per person per night

Chembe Eagles Nest,
Cape Maclear,
Lake Malawi Chembe Eagles' Nest is at the very end of the village at Cape Maclear, probably making it the quietest of all the places to stay. They have furnished tents, a new and an older campsite, a bar, a restaurant, clean restrooms and hot showers. The view over the lake is lovely and the sunsets are awesome. US$6.00 per person per night for camping
or
US$60.00 per person dinner, bed & breakfast

Go to Home Page

Contact Us

Important Note:
No attachments on emails please!