English is the official language in Malawi and Chichewa is the most commonly spoken local language. Some of the basic Chichewa phrases are:

Malawians are renowned for their hospitality, friendship and courtesy. Malawi is known to be the 'warm heart of Africa ' .

Access to Malawi is by vehicle, international bus services and by air. Malawi is well connected to all prominent countries in the continent and along with Air Malawi; we have major operations with regular schedules from the neighbouring countries.

Internal air connections can be made from Lilongwe to Blantyre , Kaonga, Mzuzu and Club Makokola (on the southern lake shore).

Malawi is located in the Great African Rift Valley, which encompasses the Lake Malawi . It is a land locked country located in the south eastern Africa , bordered in the north and east by Tanzania , south west by Mozambique and in the west by Zambia .

All road border posts are open from 06h00 to 18h00

• Mozambique : Chiponde, Muloza, Nsanje and Mwanzu
• Tanzania : Songwe River bridge
• Zambia : Chitipa and Mchinji

The major airports are:

• Kamuzu International Airport , Lilongwe
• Chileka International Airport , Blantyre

Most international flights land at Lilongwe International Airport in Malawi 's capital but several flights especially those from Johannesburg and Harare land at the business centre Blantyre .

With in Malawi , there are extensive bus services and car hire services. Buses are a reliable means of transport and commonly used by tourists, as trains tend to be slow and crowded.

Luxury air-conditioned buses operate between Lilongwe and Blantyre , and between Lilongwe and Mzuzu. Express bus services operate regularly between major towns. There are also regular coach services from Johannesburg and Harare .

Rail services are slow and overcrowded. The rail connects Lilongwe to Blantyre via Salima; and Blantyre to Nsanje near the border where it extends into Mozambique to Beira .

There is a freight and passenger shipping service on Lake Malawi . Two ferries, MV Llala and MV Mtendere travel between Monkeybay and Chilumba once a week.

Important Note:

This is a guide only. Please consult your nearest Malawian Embassy on visa requirements.

Most visitors will receive a 30 day tourist pass.

Where visas are required, you will need a passport (valid for 6 months beyond intended length of stay), an application form, two passport photographs and an application form. A copy of your round trip, airline tickets and/or itinerary may also be necessary.

A single entry 3 month visa costs about US$70, while 6 months / 12 months multiple entry visas cost US$110 and US$150 respectively. A transit visa is approximately US$50.

Take care, be careful. Check your immunization and take the anti - malaria medication well in advance of travel to Malawi .

Pack a small first aid kit to help you deal with small emergencies and stomach upsets.

Take precautionary measures to prevent contact with mosquitoes, like: sleeping under a bed net (most hotels provide these) or in a room/tent with mosquito proofing (remember to keep the flaps zipped at all times); spraying your accommodation with insecticide; making use of a mosquito-repelling lotion or stick; and wearing long sleeve clothing, trousers and socks when outside at night.

It is advisable to be up to date with typhoid, yellow fever, cholera, hepatitis, small pox and tetanus.

Safety
Malawi is a very safe destination. It has long been famed as the friendliest country in Africa . Just be careful, take precautions that you would take in any part of the world.

Water
Never drink tap water. Bottled water is widely available, but ensure that the seal has not been broken.

What to Pack
Generally, casual comfortable clothing is suitable throughout the year.

The most practical items to pack for your Malawi holiday are:

• Blouses, T-shirts, Shorts, Skirts
• Jeans or Trousers
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sun block, Sunglasses, Hat, Insect repellent
• Swimsuit and snorkelling and diving gear

SUMMER: January - March
WINTER: June - July

Malawi is always beautiful. The cooler months, May to August or September are more comfortable for travellers but the lush green semester (November to April) is also a good time to visit if precautionary measured are taken to avoid mosquito bites.

May and June combine the best of both seasons - cooler, still green with great visibility and are especially good for photography.

Currency
The unit of currency is the kwacha (MK) which is divided into 100 Tambala (cents).

• There are notes of MK100, 50, 20, 10 & 5.
• Coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 tambala

Banks
The major banks are the National Bank of Malawi and the Commercial Bank of Malawi . Both of which have branches in most towns throughout the country. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 08h00 to 14h00.

Traveller's cheques and major currencies can be exchanged in banks, hotels & other institutions.

In the cities and major towns, credit cards are widely accepted. Major hotels also accept credit card payments. Credit cards can be difficult outside major cities.

There are many craft and curio stalls where local arts and crafts may be purchased. One may also buy many items along the roadside.

Wooden bowls and chess sets and carvings of people, animals are available, as are soapstone carvings, paintings and clay pots.

Malachite (green stone) jewellery can be purchased in a variety of forms.

A popular souvenir is the chief's chair, which is a high-backed chair made of two intricately carved pieces of wood.

Lake Malawi
It is the ninth largest lake in the world. It is 560km, 80km wide and 700m deep and forms most of the eastern border between Malawi and Mozambique . It is a fresh water lake.

The lake contains a greater variety of indigenous species of fish than any other lake in the world. World Wildlife Fund researchers have identified over 500 species to date that are not found anywhere else in the world. Most of these fish are in the cichlid family and are brightly coloured and patterned.

The lake serves as an important source of food, providing local fishermen with an abundant source of fish.

Southern Lakes Area
African overland travellers congregate at Cape Maclear to enjoy the famous beach, sun, sand and good accommodation. Beach barbecues and numerous lakeshore activities are popular.

Liwonde National Park
With the Shire River as it's border, Liwonde National Park is Malawi 's best. Well managed, stocked with large numbers of interesting animals and with beautiful scenery, this park should not be missed.

Thousands of hippos and crocodiles laze on the banks of the river, and hundreds of elephants, antelope and zebras come down to the banks to drink.

Excellent guides take you on boat trips and guided walks, as well as night drives. The guides will point out smaller animals such as the dwarf chameleons, and are always telling stories and relaying local legends about the animals.

The camp is not easily accessible during the rainy season due to poor roads, but the main lodge and camp is reached by boat.