With a well-developed tourism industry, gorgeous scenery, magnificent wildlife and friendly Malawians, it is easy to understand why Malawi is known as "the warm heart of Africa." With lots of national parks, mountains to hike and the third largest lake in Africa, Lake Malawi, this country can be termed a nature lover's destination.
Malawi is a small landlocked country wedged between Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Lake Malawi. The lake forms most of the eastern border and covers almost one-fifth of the country. The Great Rift Valley runs from north to south through Malawi. The landscape in Malawi varies from woodlands, evergreen forests and grassland among the rolling hills in the north to wetland areas around the lakeshores. Malawi is known for the more than 400 species of orchids that can be found there.
A variety of European and African airlines serve the international airport in the capital city, Lilongwe. Road travel, normally by bus, is available through one of the border crossings between Malawi and the neighboring countries. Transportation options within the country include air, train, bus and car. The domestic airlines provide service between the main cities. Train service is cheap, but slow and crowded, with the main train line running from north to south through the country. Buses and mini-taxis operate in and between the major cities. Cars can be rented in the major urban centers and vehicles are driven on the left. Roads in Malawi are generally in good condition and most routes are scenic in nature.
Malawi weather: The rainy season in Malawi is between October and April. Temperatures throughout the year are moderate, with more humid conditions in the areas around the lake. The best time to visit Malawi is during the dry season, when the most animals can be seen.
The hearts of the Malawian people are as warm as the temperature. Their origins can be traced to Bantu tribes. Each of the different ethnic tribes living in the country has its own language. And English is the official language -- a result of English colonization that ended in the 1960s. Traditional music and dance are important to Malawians, especially during social functions, and every tribe has its own tunes and dances.
The communications infrastructure in Malawi is efficient and fairly reliable, especially in the urban areas. But all services (local and long-distance telephone services, Internet services, mobile phones and faxes) are expensive.
Being a well-developed tourism attraction, Malawi cannot be described as inexpensive. However, there are still bargains to be had for the traveler willing to dig a little. Credit cards are accepted in the cities and major urban areas, but they are not widely used outside these areas. Foreign currency and traveler's checks are widely accepted and can be exchanged throughout Malawi.
Malawi boasts a relatively low crime rate compared to the other countries in the region. Security threats faced by travelers include pickpocketing, purse snatching or the theft of unattended property. A recent increase in the number of petty crimes targeting tourists is being addressed by the local police force.
For a free map of Malawi and more detailed information, be sure to click on the Destination Brief above.
Please note: the situation in Malawi can be dynamic. You are encouraged to purchase an Intelligence Brief ($7.50) or Destination Tracker ($25) for complete, up-to-the-minute information on the Country, Security and Health, Local Travel Alerts, Entry/exit requirements, Transportation, Communications/Technology, Legal and Financial situation, Environmental concerns and Language in Malawi.