Malawi is the ‘heat coronary heart of Africa’, Malawi is a secure, secure African nation recognized for its folks with their welcoming smiles and pleasant nature. The centre-piece of its tourism, although, is the enchanting Lake Malawi, Livingstone’s ‘Lake of Stars’. Boasting a wealthy variety of wildlife, fish and fowl life in addition to flora, the nation is good for nature lovers with its Lake Malawi Marine Park having been declared a Unesco World Heritage Web site.
Assorted treasures together with many distinctive species await fowl watchers, anglers, out of doors and water sport fanatics and recreation viewers. Different methods to benefit from the nation embrace sampling the native ‘chambo’ fish or a Malawi Gin and Tonic and shopping for souvenirs made by extremely expert craftsmen, equivalent to chief’s chairs, ground mats, picket masks, conventional cane objects, baskets, carvings and raffia seaside hats.
CAPITAL:
Lilongwe
CLIMATE:
Tropical with moist and dry seasons. Dry season (Apr-Nov) can also be a very good time to go to. Heat months are mid-Aug to Nov, with October the most popular. Rains (Nov-Apr) are intermittent. In winter (dry season) there are excessive winds and a few mud storms.
CURRENCY:
1 Malawi Kwacha = 100 Tambala. USD or Kilos Sterling traveller’s cheques are beneficial. Bank cards will not be generally accepted, besides in large resorts. International alternate shortages generally is a drawback. The import of overseas forex is limitless if declared. The export of overseas forex is allowed as much as the quantity declared upon arrival.
ELECTRICITY:
230 volts, 50Hz. Plugs are 3-pin sq..
HEALTH:
A yellow fever inoculation is an official requirement for travellers coming from an contaminated nation or space. Guests are suggested to take pre-arrival precautions in opposition to malaria (threat exists all year long in the entire nation), Hepatitis A, polio and typhoid. Different well being issues are meningitis (relying on time of yr and space visited); insect-borne ailments; cholera (formally thought of contaminated); bilharzia (some stretches of Lake Malawi: it is strongly recommended that you do not swim in stillwater swimming pools or ponds in rivers under the plateaux or on the shores of Lake Malawi away from the sandy seashores of lake-side vacationer resorts, Lake Malawi shouldn’t be used as a supply of consuming water except water has been boiled or filtered first); pollen (folks with allergy symptoms or bronchial asthma could undergo discomfort from pollen and many others.); poor medical services; unavailability of medicines; and HIV/AIDS.
LANGUAGE:
Chichewa is the nationwide language and extensively spoken. English is the official language.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
New Yr’s Day (1 Jan); John Chilibwe Day (15 Jan); Martyr’s Day (3 Mar); Good Friday (9Apr); Easter Monday (12 Apr); Labour Day (1 Might); Freedom Day (14 Jun); Independance Day (16 Jul); Mom’s Day (9 Oct); Christmas Day (25 Dec); Boxing Day (26 Dec)
SHOPPING:
Wooden and soapstone carvings; wooden and cane furnishings; pottery; beadwork; vibrant materials; raffia objects; devices.
SOCIAL CONVENTIONS:
Over 99 p.c of the inhabitants is African, with the most important group being Chewa. The principle spiritual beliefs are conventional. Fits or jacket and tie are appropriate for enterprise conferences. Though the gown code is now extra relaxed than was the case, guests ought to take care to not offend native sensitivities.
TIME DIFFERENCE:
GMT +2
TIPPING:
Tipping is permitted.
TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION:
Lake Malawi:
One of many world’s organic wonders and Africa’s third-largest lake, Lake Malawi kinds an inland sea with a wealthy marine life surrounded by palm-fringed seashores and energetic villages; crusing, waterskiing, scuba diving and recreation fishing for Tiger Fish and Lake Salmon could be completed right here; Lake Malawi Marine Park within the south has been declared a Unesco World Heritage Web site and protects a singular variety of tropical fish (greater than 400 species have been recognized, most of that are distinctive to those waters), a famend colony of otters and a wealthy birdlife.
Kasungu Nationwide Park:
Miombo woodland interspersed with sandy plains and vast rivers; very best for recreation viewing and fowl watching particularly at Lifupa Dam; of specific curiosity is Kasungu’s well-known elephants; Stone and Iron Age websites and rock work could be discovered.
Zomba Plateau:
Stands 900m above the town of Zomba coated in evergreen forest and verdant grassland; house to Blue Monkeys, uncommon montane forest birds and epiphytic orchids; very best for fishing within the Mulunguzi Dam and mountain climbing; the viewing factors of Queen’s View and Emperor’s View permits guests to soak up the invigorating air; of curiosity in Zomba metropolis are the standard African market and botanical gardens.
Nyika Nationwide Park:
The Northern Highlands kind the best wilderness space in Malawi; the Nyika Plateau holds Africa’s highest focus of roan antelope, nice herds of eland and different mountain recreation, which could be seen from horseback; different actions embrace mountain biking, birding, trout fishing and mountain climbing; alpine flowers, orchids and proteas cowl the excessive meadows; close by go to the Vwaza Marsh Sport Reserve.
Liwonde Nationwide Park:
Malawi’s premier recreation space and habitat of the Massive 5, this riverine park on the financial institution of the Shire River options many hippo, elephant, crocodile, lion, leopard and birds; a must-do is the leisurely boat safari upriver into Lake Malombe; the Park accommodates the one inhabitants of Lilian’s lovebird in Malawi.
Lengwe Nationwide Park:
Dwelling to the enticing Nyala Antelope, buffalo, Livingstone’s Suni and birds just like the Attractive Bush-strike, African Broadbill and Crested Guineafowl.
Lilongwe:
Also referred to as the ‘Backyard Metropolis’ for its vibrant flowering bushes and wooded slopes of indigenous bushes; go to the Kitu Botanical Gardens; Chinese language Pagoda and Water Gardens; Capital Hill; Nationwide Library; Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary; New Market; Outdated Market; Outdated City; and Asian Quarter.
Blantyre:
Based in 1876, that is the business capital of Malawi; surrounded by hills and mountains; go to the close by Michiru Mountain Park; Thyolo tea district; Shire river and recreation parks; Majete and Mwabyi Sport Reserves and curio outlets.
Mount Mulanje:
An remoted massif containing 20 granite peaks, the best of which soars to 3000m gives critical climbers a number of difficult routes; spectacular waterfalls, forests and tea plantations enhance the realm; of botanical curiosity is the Mulanje cedar, believed to be distinctive to this space.
Viphya Plateau:
A must-do for fowl watchers; the Luwawa Dam has established itself as an journey centre, with canoeing, abseiling, mountaineering and extra obtainable.