To enter Malawi, you will typically need a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity with at least 2 blank pages, and depending on your nationality, you might need a visa, which can be obtained through the https://evisa.gov.mw/. Please check if you need a visa to enter Malawi.

You can apply only (3 days processing time), or most nationalities can get a visa upon arrival. For latter, ensure you have US$ cash to pay at the airport and we recommend filling in the application form beforehand. If need be, please feel to request support letter from us confirming your trip to Malawi (email infor@malawionwheels.com).

https://evisa.gov.mw/VisaAssistance
https://www.malawitourism.com/visa-guide/

We recommend contacting your doctor or a travel clinic regarding the most up to date medical advice for traveling to Malawi from your country.

Vaccinations: Yellow fever certificates are only required if you have traveled from or through a yellow fever zone. If you are doing a Zambia/Malawi combo safari, you will need yellow fever immunization. It is recommended that you are up to date with your routine vaccines (Polio, Typhoid, Tetanus, Hepatitis A) and that you seek further medical advice for updated requirements.

Malaria: Malawi is a Malaria area. We recommend that you contact your doctor about the most suitable Malaria prophylaxis for you.

Bilharzia (Schistosomiasis): While Lake Malawi was once considered free of schistosomiasis transmission, studies now indicate that it is a transmission site, particularly in the southern region, with recreational water contact posing a risk, especially at resorts like Cape Maclear where there is high local population and poor sanitation. However, there are a small number of areas in Lake Malawi which have been declared Bilharzia free and where it is safe to swim and snorkel - although this cannot be guaranteed. These include the offshore islands of Mumbo & Domwe where lack of human inhabitation makes the lifecycle of the disease near to impossible. Praziquantel is a medication widely used and easily accessible in Malawi for preventative measures.

Consider purchasing travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and delays. You must have comprehensive travel insurance with adequate cover for cancellation (unexpected illness/injury/hospitalization, flight delays, weather conditions etc), curtailment and all medical expenses with emergency air evacuation.

Malawi has a subtropical climate with distinct seasons: a cool, dry season from May to October and a hot, wet season from November to April, with temperatures ranging from 17-27°C in the cooler months and 25-37°C in the warmer months.

Cool, Dry Season (May to October)

• Temperatures are generally cooler, with average daily temperatures ranging from 17 to 27 degrees Celsius.
• June and July are the coldest months, with potential for frost in high-altitude areas like the Nyika Plateau.
• The skies are clear or partly cloudy, and humidity is low.

Hot, Wet Season (November to April)

• Temperatures are warm to hot, with average monthly temperatures between 25 and 37 degrees Celsius.
• Showers and thunderstorms are frequent.
• The rainy season brings high humidity.

Transition Months:
November: is a variable month, it can be hot and dry like October, or it can see the season's first downpours.
October: is the warmest month with low humidity.

Rainfall

• Rainfall is variable depending on altitude, with higher areas receiving more rain than lower areas.
• The rift valley floors receive around 600mm of rainfall per year, while mountainous areas receive up to 1600mm.
• The rainy season brings most of the precipitation in Malawi, especially in December, January, February, and March.
• The rains arrive slightly earlier and leave slightly later the further north you are.

• Passport
• Visa (if required)
• Insurance details (please see our travel insurance page for more information)
• Cash (US dollars are the most useful currency in Malawi)
• Credit card (MasterCard and Visa are the most widely accepted cards)
• Warm clothes (possibly including hat and gloves)
• Sunhat
• Sunglasses
• Footwear (including walking shoes/boots if appropriate)
• Swimwear
• Binoculars
• Camera, charger, spare batteries and memory cards
• Mobile (cell) phone
• Chargers and adapters (Zambia generally uses UK style type G plugs, with three square pins)
• Torch
• Insect repellent
• Insect bite cream, such as Antisan, to use against biting flies
• Sunscreen
• Prescription medicines & prescription (if needed)

Mobile (cell) phones on safari

It is a good idea to have a mobile with you on your trip in case of an emergency. If you have ‘global roaming’ enabled, your phone will probably work in most towns in Malawi. Your phone can also be set to include ‘global roaming’ by your network provider.

Malawi boasts a rich cultural heritage with diverse ethnic groups, each contributing unique traditions in music, dance, and art, with the Chewa people being the most numerous and their language, Chichewa, being the national language.

Ethnic Groups and Languages

• Malawi is home to several ethnic groups, including the Chewa, Yao, Tumbuka, Sena, Lomwe, Nkhonde, Ngoni, Mang'anja, Lambya, and Sukwa.
• The Chewa are the largest ethnic group, and their language, Chichewa, is one of Malawi's official languages (along with English).
• All the African languages spoken are Bantu languages.

Music and Dance

• Music and dance are integral to Malawian culture, with each ethnic group having its own unique traditions.
• Traditional instruments like marimbas, drums, and xylophones are used in celebrations and ceremonies.
• The "Gule Wamkulu" (meaning "The Great Dance") is a well-known Chewa ritualistic dance and cultural performance.
• The Malapenga Dance Season in August is a traditional celebration of one of Malawi's most iconic dance forms.
• Ingoma is a famous dance among the Ngoni people, originally a war dance.

Festivals and Events

• The Lake of Stars Festival is a popular music festival held on the shores of Lake Malawi.
• The Likoma Island Festival celebrates the culture and heritage of Likoma Island.
• The Zomba City Festival is a vibrant arts festival showcasing the history, culture, and community spirit of Zomba.
• The Umhlangano cultural festival brings together diverse ethnic groups to showcase their traditions.

Food and Cuisine

• "Nsima," a thick cornmeal porridge, is a staple food in Malawi, often served with various relishes and stews.
• Fruits like mangoes, melons, oranges, bananas, and pineapples are abundant.
• Chibuku, a homemade brew, is a popular alcoholic beverage.
• The staple food is "nsima," a maize flour porridge with a similar consistency to mashed potato.
• "Ndiwo," a relish made from tomatoes and cabbage, is often served with nsima.
• Other local specialties include chambo (Tilapia fish), nthochi (banana bread), and mbatata (cookies made from sweet potato and cinnamon).

Social Customs and Values

• Malawians are known for their friendly and welcoming nature.
• Community and family bonds are very important.
• Sharing, cooperation, and support are deeply ingrained values.
• Verbal greetings are accompanied by a handshake, with the left hand gripping the right forearm to show that one is not armed.
• Stopping to talk on the street is customary, and the conversation continues even after the parties go their separate ways.

Religion

• Christianity is the dominant religion in Malawi, with Roman Catholicism and various Protestant denominations being the most common.
• Islam is also practiced, and traditional African religions are followed by some Malawians.
• Traditional beliefs are adhered to by a small proportion of the population.

Arts and Crafts

• Wood carving is a prominent activity, with many homes featuring carved statues, tables, and chairs.
• Pottery making is also popular, with the best pottery said to come from Dedza.
• Many traditional songs and dances feature the drum as the major musical instrument.
• Notable dances include ingoma and gule wa mkulu (performed by men) and chimtali and visekese (performed by women).

Other Cultural Aspects

• Malawi has a rich history of traditional dance, mask carving, and basketry.
• The Chongoni Rock-Art Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site, features numerous rock paintings dating back to the 6th century BC.
• The Lake of Stars Festival, held on the shores of Lake Malawi, is a major music festival that showcases both traditional and modern music.
• Malawians are known for their warmth and friendliness, with visitors often met with smiles and a genuine welcome.

Basic Chichewa Greetings

Basic Chichewa words and phrases, including greetings, common questions, and helpful expressions:

Greetings and Introductions

Common Questions

Useful Expressions

In Malawi, tipping is a common but voluntary practice, especially for tourism and hospitality staff, with a general guideline of 10-20 USD per person for good service, but the amount is entirely at your discretion. Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated for good service.

Before thinking about the amount or how to tip, think about who to tip. Many people work to make your safari a success, including the guides, the back-of-house team and the camp manager.

Tipping your guide

Your guide is one of the most important people in making your safari a success. Guides are usually tipped separately from the rest of the camp staff, to ensure that they get the tip that they deserve.

Tipping the back-of-house team

Many people work behind the scenes to make sure your trip runs smoothly, including the chef, waiters, maintenance and housekeeping staff. Most lodges have a general tip box, and the proceeds are usually split equally between this team.