According to politicsezine, Malawi is a country in Africa bordering Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique. Malawi has been independent from the United Kingdom since 1964. The country was then called Nyasaland. The capital of Malawi is Lilongwe. A number of major cities in Malawi are: Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Zomba, Blantyre and Karonga.
Malawi is known as one of the poorest countries in the world, but the population is very hospitable and friendly. The population lives mainly from fishing and cattle breeding. Unlike the surrounding countries, there are few wild animal species. The country still has a few National Parks including the Liwonde National Park where elephants, hippos, leopards and zebras can be found. In the east of the country lies Lake Malawi, which is approximately 560 by 75 kilometers in size and is characterized by beautiful beaches and a rich underwater world. The lake is home to approximately 1000 different species of fish and is therefore an ideal destination for diving and snorkeling. The country is also known for its ancient petroglyphs and beautiful sunsets. See clothesbliss for Malawi the warm heart of Africa.
Where is Malawi located?
Travel information of Malawi
Official name: Republic of Malawi
Continent: Africa
Area: 118,484 km²
Capital: Lilongwe
Country code: MW, MWI
Population: 21,196,629 inhabitants (2020)
Form of government: Republic
Highest point: 3,002 m (Sapitwa peak)
Distance (Amsterdam – Lilongwe): 7,856 km
Flight time: approximately 9 hours and 45 minutes
Travel advice
Current status: Attention, safety risks.
Current color code: Yellow.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), there may be (temporary) measures in place in Malawi that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of Malawi, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to Malawi. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compile your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, walking map, cycling map, book or DVD about Malawi?
Weather and climate
Malawi has a tropical climate. In the summer months the temperatures are around 25 to 30 degrees and during the winter months around 20 to 25 degrees. The summer and winter periods are opposite to those in the Netherlands.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Malawi can be found on our extensive weather page.
Detailed information about the climate of Malawi can be found at Climate info.
Best time
May, June, July and August are the best months to travel to Malawi. This avoids the hot rainy season.
Language
English is the official language in Malawi. The most spoken language is Chichewa.
Would you like to translate from or into English for free? Use the Google translator for this.
Travel documents
You must have a passport that is still valid for 3 months upon departure from Malawi.
A visa is required. You can apply for this at the Embassy of Malawi in Brussels.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Zimbabwe (also for Malawi): netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Dutch consulate in Malawi: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Embassy of Malawi in Belgium (also for the Netherlands): rijksoverheid.nl.
Consulate of Malawi in the Netherlands: rijksoverheid.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
Vaccination against yellow fever is compulsory for Malawi if you have visited a yellow fever country in the seven days before you visit Malawi. In addition, it is advisable to get one or more vaccinations.
For extensive vaccination advice and to make a vaccination appointment at home, please visit Thuisvaccinatie.nl. You can also see here whether your health insurance reimburses the vaccination(s).
Malaria
Malaria occurs in Malawi. Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by malaria mosquitoes. This infectious disease can lead to death if not treated in time and/or incorrectly.
For prevention and control of malaria, please visit our malaria page.
Money and Currency matters
In Malawi people pay with the Malawian Kwacha (MWK).
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
An overview of all ATMs in Malawi can be found on our ATMs page.
Time difference
During our summer time there is no time difference.
During our winter time it is 1 hour later in Malawi.
Malawi has no difference between winter time and summer time.
The local time, date and time zone for Malawi can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
In Malawi you have to drive on the left.
You do not need an international driver’s license to drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in Malawi.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within Malawi.
Electricity
In Malawi you need a power plug adapter.
More information about common plugs and sockets in Malawi can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 997
– Fire: Local numbers
– Ambulance: 998
Tap water
It is not recommended to drink water from the tap.
If you are unable to buy bottled water, use a water purifier to purify the water or boil the water for 5 minutes. After this you can safely use it as drinking water and for things like brushing teeth, cleaning lenses and washing vegetables and / or fruit. More information about drinking water and/or the purchase of water purification products can be found on our drinking water page.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to Malawi can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from Malawi can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from Malawi end with.mw.
Malawi official websites: malawi.gov.mw and www.visitmalawi.mw.
Telephony
The country code (international access code) to call someone in Malawi is 00265 or +265.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from Malawi? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
Company details can be found in the Yellow Pages of Malawi.
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos of Malawi.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from Malawi.
Holidays
An overview of all public holidays in Malawi can be found on Beleven.org.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations in Malawi, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about Malawi?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Malawi. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) in Malawi can be found on Protected Planet.
An overview of the world heritage sites in Malawi can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to Malawi? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol and money, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. You will also find the laws and regulations regarding the entry of pets on this website.
Entrepreneurship and doing business
If you intend to do business in or do business with Malawi, it is wise to prepare well. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can help you with this. On PaulSourcing.com you will find a large amount of information about Malawi, including: opportunities, import and export regulations, trade figures, do’s and don’ts, business partners and subsidies.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Malawi.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 18.
– Alcohol and traffic: Maximum alcohol allowed is 0.
– Tobacco: Unknown
– Smoking ban: No
– Homosexuality: Not allowed for men (imprisonment more than 10 years), allowed for women.
Did you know that…
…Malawi used to be called Nyasaland?
… There are virtually no minerals to be found in Malawi?
…Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world?
…More than 10% of the population suffers from AIDS?
