Going to Malawi

How to travel to Malawi

Airports By air, from France

International, regional and internal flights: Lilongwe Airport

Practical: you will find in Lilongwe car hire services, bureaux de change, banks, a pharmacy, a post office, a bookshop, travel agencies, as well as a restaurant and a bar.

Regional and internal flights: Blantyre

Practical: you will find in Blantyre a small cafeteria, a bookshop and an Avis representative.

Airline companies:

British Airways, KLM and South African Airways are the main companies serving Malawi. SAA also links Malawi and other destinations in the region, namely, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Other airline companies in the region, like Kenya Airways or Air Zimbabwe, fly to Blantyre or Lilongwe. Air Malawi, the national airline company, links Lilongwe and Blantyre (about twice a day), Lilongwe and Mzuzu (about once a day) and even Lilongwe and certain national parks. This company also flies to capitals and other cities in Southern and Eastern Africa. A new company, Malawi Express, links regularly Malawi and South Africa.

Departure fees

For international departures from Malawi, you will have to pay a fee. This fee, to be paid straight to the airport, is in dollars, any other currency is not accepted. The amount is about 20 dollars.

Time difference

During winter time in France, there is a one-hour time difference between France and Zambia (20:00 hrs in Lilongwe, 19:00 hrs in Paris). During summer time in France, there is no time difference with France. In Universal Time, Malawi is at GMT.

Entry visa Since May 2002, a visa has not been required for a French national.

When to leave

The best period to visit Malawi is during the dry season, i.e. from mid April/May to October/November. From May to July, the landscapes are very green and the climate is pleasant. July is the coldest month of the year, then temperatures go up gradually until September. It should be noted that the end of the dry season is the best period if you want to watch wild animals. The vegetation is not too thick and animals come together around water points. From May to July, the landscapes are more attractive. August is a busy month, when the climate is particularly pleasant., and it is the period for school holidays for Malawians and South Africans. During the rainy season, it is not easy to see animals, and roads are often impassable, even if you have a 4x4. If to travel to Malawi specifically to watch birds, October-November is certainly the best period. However, during this period the climate is quite oppressive. For photos, the dry season is the best period, especially during the first months (thereafter luminosity is less bright).

Maps

It is advisable to get the map of the country or of the region before you start off: maps

"Malawi Travel Reference Map" by ITM Publishing; Lonely Planet’s Southern Africa road Atlas; Michelin map "Afrique Centrale et Sud". Once in Malawi, however, you can easily obtain the maps, especially road maps indicating the main tourist sites of the country, such as national parks. Consult also the column Maps of Malawi

What to put in your luggage

Clothing: you do not need many articles of clothing, and any way, if you need something you can easily buy them at reasonable prices in all the towns in Malawi.

Equipment: you will need a tent and camping equipment if you expect to save money on accommodation. Camping spaces are provided in many places. Furthermore, even if you do not wish to camp, you will need a sleeping bag, in case you stay in low grade hotels, where hygiene is not always observed. Anyway, think of getting a first aid kit from your physician and pharmacist. You will also need some protection against mosquitoes, a flask, some water purification pastilles, a torch, batteries, passport size photos (for visas if you go out of Malawi). Bring also your camera or video-camera, landscapes are so gorgeous! Binoculars are also useful for observing wild animals. Think also of a raincoat or any related equipment, depending on the season during which you travel. Besides, if you plan to walk in the mountains, bring warm clothing, it is cold at night.

Various practical information

Tourism office Malawi has two tourism offices, in Lilongwe and Blantyre. You can find some brochures in different lodges and hotels, as well as information on car hire services.

Tourist guides to Malawi
 Lonely Planet, Malawi (in English), Lonely Planet Afrique Australe (in French)

Plugs according to British system

Be careful with snakes, favour therefore closed shoes. Homosexuality is illegal in Malawi; homosexual couples should not show it.

Be careful with thieves; pickpockets are virulent. Do not tempt people and try to hide your precious possessions, and bring what you really need. Note: it is illigal to be in possession of drugs. Make sure no one drops some in your luggage without your knowing it. Be careful with wild animals There are mosquitoes, take care.