| location | |
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| flag | |
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| Short dates | |
| Capital | Lilongwe |
|---|---|
| Form of government | Presidential Republic |
| currency | Malawi Kwacha (MK) |
| surface | 118,484 km² |
| population | 11.9 million |
| languages | English (official), Chichewa (official), Lomwe, Yao, Ngoni, Tumbuka |
| Religions | Protestants 55%, Catholics 20%, Muslims 20%, traditional religions 3% |
| Phone code | 265 |
| Internet TLD | .mw |
| Time zone | CET 1h |
Malawi lies in the central East Africa on the west and south shores of Lake Malawi. Mozambique encloses the land to the east and south, while it adjoins the west Zambia borders. The northern border eventually forms Tanzania. The country is home to a total of five national parks and, despite its poverty, is considered a relatively safe travel destination.
Regions
Malawi is divided into three administrative regions. These in turn have a total of 28 districts. The regions are the Northern Region, the Central Region, and the Southern Region.
Cities
- 2 Blantyre.
economic center. - 3 Mzuzu
- 4 Karonga.Border with Tanzania.
Other goals
- 1 Kasungu National Park
- 2 Lake Malawi National Park.
- 3 Lengwe National Park
- 4 Liwonde National Park
- 5 Nyika National Park
- 6 Kapichira waterfall (Kapichira Falls)
- 7 Lake Malombes (Lake Malombe)
- 8 Majete Wildlife Reserve
- 9 Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve
- 10 Nyika plateau (Nyika plateau)
- 11 Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve
- 12 Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve (Nkhotakota Game Reserve)
- 13 Nyika plateau (Nyika plateau)
- 1 Chizumulu Island (Chizumulu Island)
- 2 Likoma Island (Likoma Island)
.jpg/350px-Lake_Malawi_(2489696873).jpg)
.jpg/320px-Likoma_(satellite).jpg)
background
getting there
Most EU citizens and Commonwealth countries do not require a visa to visit Malawi for tourism. A valid passport / children's passport is sufficient (at least 6 months). So far, there has been a free residence permit for 30 days for Germans when entering the country. A single entry visa issued at the Malawian border costs US $ 75. The Malawian embassy in Berlin charges 100 US $ or 90 € for this. (As of March 2017) For a longer stay of up to 90 days, a corresponding application must be submitted to the immigration authorities (Malawi Immigration) after entering the country. The extension is chargeable (extension by 30 days: MK 5000, extension by 60 days MK 10000). It is advisable to do this at the Immigration Offices in Lilongwe or Blantyre. Upon departure, an exit tax of USD 30 must be paid in cash.
For Austrians and Swiss, it is advisable to apply for a visa in advance at the Malawian embassy in Berlin or in one of Malawi's neighboring countries. The Malawian border guards can refuse entry for Swiss and Austrians or sometimes issue a transit visa, which must be converted into a normal tourist visa within 72 hours (in Blantyre or Lilongwe).
By plane
Direct arrival by plane is not possible from Germany. The flights lead for example over Nairobi With Kenyan Airways, above Johannesburg With South African Airways or with Ethiopian Airlines of Addis Ababa to LilongweKamuzu International Airport or BlantyreChileka International Airport.
By train
The circulates in the south of the country Central East African Railwayswhose rail network runs from the coast of Mozambique through the capital of Malawi Lilongwe to Chipata in Zambia enough.
By bus
Car
In Malawi there is left-hand traffic. Most of the connecting roads are unpaved. The main connecting route is the north-south connection, the unpaved parts of which are in good condition. Entry with your own vehicle is usually unproblematic. Motorcycles are mostly prohibited from driving in the national parks in order to exclude any danger from the animals.
When driving overland, it should be noted that there are mostly pedestrians to the right and left of the road, some with their animals. Since there is no sidewalk, they just walk on the street as well. It can also happen that people are sitting on the street and partying. One way to get ahead in Malawi is to drive on the middle of the road so as not to run over anyone. Of course you have to quickly pull over to the left when there is oncoming traffic.
The Border crossings are usually closed between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
By boat
There is a ship connection with the MS Ilala from Mamba Bay (Tanzania) to Nkhata Bay, which is served approximately once a week, and a connection between the Malawian islands in Lake Malawi and Mozambique.
mobility
For getting around in the country, shared taxis, buses or taxis are the most common options.
language
The official languages are English and Chichewa. Many other native languages are also spoken. The normal tourist comes into contact almost exclusively with people who speak a minimum of English.
| German | Chichewa |
|---|---|
| Good day | Moni |
| Goodbye | Tsalani Bwino |
| How are you? | Muli bwanji? |
| What's your name? | Dzina lanu ndani? |
| My name is … | Dzina langa ndi…. |
| I'm from…. | Ndikuchokera ku…. |
| How old are you? (to children) | Uli ndi zaka zingati? |
| Excuse me please | Zikomo |
| How much (price)? | Mumagulitsa bwanji? |
| How much is it? | Bwanji ichi? |
| Thank you very much | Zikomo |
shop
National currency is the Malawi Kwacha (MK). A Malawi kwacha is divided into 100 tambala. There are banknotes of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 Kwacha as well as coins of 1 Mk, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1 tambala, although the tambala coins are disappearing because of their low value. The export of Malawi-Kwacha is prohibited except for a trivial amount of 3000 MK. Excess amounts must be exchanged for other currencies upon departure. The import of foreign currency is not restricted.
The exchange rate at the beginning of March 2021 was € 1 = 929 mKw. (In mid-2020 there was a price drop of -15%, then stabilized.)
In the bigger cities Mzuzu, Lilongwe, Blantyre there are ATMs (24 hours) where you can withdraw money with international cards. (Mostly Visa, but also Mastercard and even Maestro.) The withdrawal is limited to an amount of approx. 100 euros in Kwacha within 24 hours. The banks are usually open from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on weekdays. In banks and exchange offices, it is possible to change cash and make withdrawals with common credit cards. In addition to USD, Pound Sterling and South African Rand, euros are easily accepted when changing money. It should be noted that the exit tax must be paid in cash in any case, USD 30 per person. The kwacha is the most common means of payment in shops, markets, minibuses and buses, in restaurants and backpacker hotels. Credit cards and foreign currencies (mostly USD) can be used to pay in hotels, some petrol stations and tourist areas.
kitchen
If someone tries to define a monotonous kitchen, Malawi would offer itself as an object of study. The common foods to eat are: chicken and beef. Either Nsima (a solid corn porridge similar to the East African Ugali), rice or French fries. This menu is served from the market stall to the medium-price restaurant. The only difference is the price. You can get a bowl of rice with a piece of chicken in the stalls at the market for 100 kwacha, in a motel restaurant it may cost around 230. Sometimes there are still beans on the menu, but that doesn't mean that they actually exist.
On the market there are very cheap (and also good) "chips" (= French fries, but often rather warm potatoes) with tomatoes and cabbage salad for 30 to 50 kwacha (depending on the portion). In addition, boiled (and partly fried) eggs (20 Kwacha), fried chicken pieces (40 Kwacha), fried chicken scraps such as feet and the like are served there. (20 Kwacha), fried sausages (40 Kwacha), roasted corn on the cob (15 Kwacha), boiled sweet potatoes (5-20 Kwacha) as well as fried meats and rolls in various forms (5 to 25 Kwacha).
Traditionally, people eat with the right hand without cutlery. In the restaurant, guests are given a bowl and a pot of water to wash their hands at the table.
security
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world and yet the country has a very low crime rate compared to South Africa, for example. A clear urban-rural divide can be observed here. It is generally not advisable to walk alone after dark in the larger cities such as Lilongwe or Blantyre, as raids on tourists are more common. It is advisable to order a taxi here. This also applies in tourist areas such as Nkhata Bay. One should exercise a certain degree of caution with whom one goes "around the houses" here, as there are certainly criminals who come from the cities to the tourist areas to go on the raid. It is generally much safer in rural areas than in city centers. Nevertheless, you should of course not walk around with an expensive camera around your neck or flashy jewelry in order not to provoke a criminal offense.
health
As with other countries in southern Africa, it is very advisable to get vaccinated against hepatitis, especially with regard to longer stays in Malawi. A certain degree of caution when handling food and drinking water is also advisable. The quality of tap water is by no means always the same. If in doubt, it should therefore not be drunk.
Malawi is a country with a high risk of contagion from malaria. Malaria prophylaxis or standby medication should definitely be discussed with a family doctor. Another precaution may be to put on long shirts and pants before sunset.
When staying at Lake Malawi, it should be noted that this cannot be considered free from bilharzia. Standing water with reeds should be avoided, as the parasites are particularly common here. If in doubt, you can be examined after returning home.
HIV / AIDS is a key problem in Malawi because the country has a very high infection rate. Unprotected sexual contacts should therefore be avoided, especially in the area of prostitution.
respect
In Malawi, as in other countries, a certain amount of respect for local customs is required. Malawians are generally extremely polite and extremely friendly to strangers (hence Malawi's advertising agency nickname “The Warm Heart of Africa”). So it is not uncommon to be approached on the street and involved in a conversation. However, it happens more often that one is asked for money; in this case it is usually sufficient to say "no" in a friendly but firm manner.
Appropriate clothing is important in Malawi. This applies primarily to the villages; urban areas are already more open to modern western culture. Tourists or backpackers are part of the everyday cityscape here. The situation is somewhat different in the rural regions, which are less visited by travelers. Despite the warm to hot climate and the prevailing poverty, you can see many Malawians who dress noticeably formal. Suits and ties are not infrequently worn by small farmers in the villages. It is entirely possible that on a trip in Malawi one will get the opportunity to visit such a village. Female travelers in particular should note that shorts or short skirts are not appropriate here; the shoulders should also be covered if possible. This is simply a matter of courtesy. Female travelers go a safe way, especially during longer stays in villages, if they take on the traditional women's clothing, the “chitenji” (a kind of wraparound skirt). These can be bought very cheaply in the markets. If a longer stay in a village is planned (e.g. as a community service provider or project worker), you should also pay a visit to the village chief (village headman) Sign in. This often still has an important position in the village community and should be informed about "long-term visitors".
Many Malawians do not want to be photographed. If you do it without being asked, they can occasionally get angry.
Post and Telecommunications
Malawi has two cellular networks. In large cities and many regional centers, the reception is good to very good. However, there are still large dead spots in rural areas (also in national parks). Meanwhile, some (not all!) German mobile phone providers have Malawian roaming partners. There are internet cafes with good connections in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu. In some higher-class hotels and lodges, guests have the option of using the Internet.
