malawi

area
population
capital
head of state
official language
currency
exchange rate

(source: lonely planet)

118,484 sq km
10.8 million
lilongwe
bakili muluzi
english & chichewa
kwacha
check out oanda.com
for current exchange rates

this information comes from a visit to the country in august 2003. things might have changed since then. these are my personal impressions and it's well possible that other travellers will not share my views.

most european travellers don't need a visa to malawi. they get there passport stamped at the border. but swiss and austrian citicen do need a visa which is not avaliable at the border.

if you end up in this unfortunate situation it can help to be very nice to the immigration officers (on some hot days they are a bit thristy). they can issue a permit to present yourself within two or three days at the immigraiton office in lilongwe (probably also true for mzuzu and blantyre) where you'll have to apply for a visa.

immigration office: it's located int the old town (area2) between chilangbula rd and murray rd. opening hours on weekdays 07:30 - 12:00 / 13:30 - 16:30 / on saturday 07:30 - 12:30. go straight to room number 6. the visa costs 3000 malawian kwacha (about 30 euro).

getting in and out

chipata (zambia) to lilongwe: exit at chipata is straight foreward. the malawian borderpost is about 12 kilometres after the actual border.
if you don't have carnet, you can get a TIP (temporary import permit). motorbikes: 600 kwacha
you can get a one month insurance policy for 800 kwacha (motorbikes)

kaporo (malawi) to kyela (tansania): easy no hassles.

careful, though, with the money changers: always count the bills and make sure they're actually shillings.

places to stay

lilongwe: kiboko camp at the southern roundabout (S 13*59,970 / E 33*45,572) it's friendly, clean and reasonable with dormbeds for 500 kwacha / rooms for 1200 kwacha and camping costs 300 kwacha. they serve set diner for 395 kwacha and brekfast starts at around 100 kwacha.

nkhata bay: the beautiful mayoka village is great value! it's built into the slope that descends to the lake. spacey and beautifully decorated bungalows cost around 4 usd. there is a dorm and you can pitch a tent.

great food, free snorkling, free canoeing, pool table, board games a good library and wonderful staff make it one of afrikas best places to stay!

other

motorbike mechanic: the motorcycle clinic in lilongwe is a simple workshop. but the guys know what their are doing - for a very reasonable price. it is located behind mac steel on murray road at the intersecition with kenyatta road in the old town. GPS: S 13*59,176 / E 33*46,281

money: there are no international ATM machines, but you can get a cash advance at the moneychanger at nico shopping mall. they pay out up to the equivalent of 500 usd and charge 200 kwacha (2 usd) commision.

food in lilongwe: for good food and great fun go to don brionis bistro. they have a good menue with great pizza and a good selection of wine. brian (don brioni) and hope, the couple that runs the place are already worth a visit - they'll make sure you won't be bored! you'll find don brionis on mandala road, close to the nico centre in the old town

clinic in lilongwe: dr. huber has a private clinic near the likuni circle: moyo wathanzi, family health care surgery. glyn jones road, area 3, plot nr. 3/44. p.o.box 2088. phone: 01 750 404, emergencies: 09 969548, 01 754371, email: huber@malawi.net