Check out our Malawi weather page for some handy information regarding the climate andweather in Malawi. Our six-day Malawi weather forecast will help in planning the upcoming weeks activities.

Telephone
The international telephone dialling code for Malawi is 265. Telephone penetration is low and the telephone system rather unreliable, though accessibility is much better in urban areas. Mobile telephone coverage is quite good, particularly in major cities and towns, and service is expanding all the time. Roaming arrangements are in place with many international mobile service providers.

Internet
Internet cafes and services are available at most towns and tourist centres. Hotels tend to have internet connectivity and facilities.

Post
Postal services are generally slow. Post offices working hours are 7.30 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 5 pm Monday through Friday. International courier services like DHL operate in Malawi.

Malawi's currency is Malawi Kwacha (MK) which is divided into 100 tambalas. Check online for latest conversion rates. Commonly used currency notes are in denominations 500, 200,100, 50, 30, 20, 10 and 5.

Currency and traveller's cheques can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change, and authorised hotels in major towns. The easiest currencies to exchange are the US dollar, British pound, Euro and South African rand. A 1% commission is usually charged for cashing traveller's cheques.

Credit and debit cards are not widely accepted expect in major cities of Lilongwe and Blantyre. ATMs are also hard to find outside of main cities.

Banking hours in Malawi are 8 am to 2 pm Monday through Friday.

230 volts AC, 50Hz. The standard plug is square three-pin.

For a list of Malawi embassies around the world and foreign embassies within Malawi, checkEmbassyWorld.com.

Population: 13.6 million (CIA estimate 2007).
Total Area: 118,484 sq km (45,747 sq miles).
Capital: Lilongwe. Population: 597,619 including suburbs (2003). 
Time Zone: GMT + 2

Malawi is a small landlocked country bordered by Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north and northeast and by Mozambique to the south and southwest. The country lies within the Great Rift Valley which shapes it terrain of high mountains, verdant plateaus and fertile valleys. Lake Malawi, one of the largest lakes in the world, takes up about 20 percent of the country's area and dominates the landscape. At around 500 km in length, it takes up three quarters of Malawi's eastern boundary.

Much of Malawi's land surface, particularly central region, is plateau with elevation ranging from 900 to 1200 m. The northern region, where you find the Nyika and Vwanza Plateaus, is more mountainous while the southern region is made up of mostly low lying areas including Shire Valley, though it also accounts for the majestic Mulanje Massif (elevation 3000 m) and the Zomba Plateau that rises more than 2000 m above sea level.

Public medical centres and facilities in Malawi are limited and overburdened. Lilongwe and Blantyre have good private hospitals with modern facilities and qualified staff.

Malaria and other insect-borne diseases like plague, filariasis, chikungunya fever and African sleeping sickness are common in Malawi. Outbreaks of infectious diseases like rabies, hepatitis and tuberculosis also happen every so often. During rainy season cholera is quite common. Visitors are advised to take vaccinations.

It is recommended that you eat only well cooked food and drink only boiled or bottled water. Remember to avoid swimming in stagnant or slow moving waters, as there are risks of water-borne diseases such as bilharzias. The best places to swim are near main resort areas.

Taking along a medical kit for private use is a good idea as medications may be hard to find outside major cities. Comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended.

Up till the 10th century when Bantu people started migrating to present day Malawi, the area was occupied by small groups of hunter gatherers. Soon other tribes like Tumbuka, Phoka, Maravi and Yao came and settled in the area and established their own kingdoms.

The 19th century saw the most eventful period in Malawi's history. Tribal skirmishes were rampant and with the slave trade in full swing, the area was in complete turmoil. Things settled down a bit with the arrival of David Livingstone - the missionary explorer whose monuments can still be found in many parts of the country - and the colonisation of the country by the British in 1891. Colonial rule and missionary work put an end to slave trade; however, the arrival of more Europeans meant less land and more taxes for natives, giving rise to a lot of discontent.

Malawi gained independence in 1964. Then followed the autocratic rule of Hastings Banda, leader of the independence movement, until 1993 when multiparty democracy came to the country.

At present Malawi is in a constant struggle to become economically independent, root out corruption, and to improve education, healthcare and environment protection. Poverty and high incidence of HIV AIDS are making a big impact on the socio-economic fabric of the country. However, much progress has been made and things are looking up with economic reforms and international aid.

English and Chichewa are both official languages of Malawi and widely spoken. English is more commonly spoken in urban areas and by the business community. Chichewa is spoken and understood by most Malawians.

Malawi, being a land of many native ethnic groups as well as having smaller populations of Asians and Europeans, several languages are spoken in the country. In the northern areas, Tumbuka is a language used by many people. Chiyao, Chinyanja and Chitumbuka are other languages used by large sections of the population.

To view a map of Malawi, click on this link to WorldAtlas.com.

Due to the country's unrivalled friendless and laid back approach to life, it is respectful to be as friendly to the people you meet as they are to you, with any greeting in their local language accompanied with a big smile and the famous African handshake always well received. Children waving and screaming as you pass with shouts of ‘Mzungu' are common practise in Malawi and due to the country's slow tourism trade in the past visitors are still regarded with warmth and excitement, with a hand more often extended in greeting than in a demand for money or sweets.

Don't be surprised to see women kneeling down to greet you, or the doubled handed handshake, a sign of respect and welcome. However, be aware that many women in rural areas can still be very shy of westerners and it is advised to be cautious and respectful of their wariness. In the past customs on clothing and behaviour in rural areas had strict regulations with arms and legs covered and modest behaviour expected, however, although these have slackened, it is still regarded as good manners to dress modestly and behave in a respectable manner when visiting these areas.

Like its population, Malawi culture is a combination of the native and the colonial. Several languages are spoken and different religious beliefs are followed. Football and basketball are popular sports while diverse dance and art forms thrive in the country. Malawi's music tradition is particularly rich, influences of Islamic Yao people who came from Tanzania and Zulu ngoni people from South Africa are clearly noticeable. Traditional music and dances are part of many celebrations and ceremonies such as marriages, initiation rites and rituals.

Follow the link  to view a current list of public holidays in Malawi.

Christianity and Islam are the major religions of Malawi. Going by 2007 estimates, about 80 percent of the populations are practitioners of the Christian faith. Muslims make up 13 percent of the population while the other seven percent are Jews, Hindus, Rastafarians, Baha'is, people practising traditional African religions or atheists.

The Chewa people who form the largest ethnic group in Malawi are mostly Protestant Christians and people of Yao ethnicity are predominantly Muslims of the Sunni branch. Roman Catholics make up the second largest Christian group with smaller communities of Anglicans, Baptists and Seventh day Adventists.

A passport valid for six months beyond date of intended departure is required for entry into Malawi. A return air ticket is another necessary requirement except for long term visits (study, work contracts etc).

Visa is not needed for most nationalities including citizens of Commonwealth countries (baring India, Pakistan and Nigeria), USA, most European countries, Israel, Japan and Iceland. Nationals of these countries will be issued a tourist pass valid up to three months at points of entry. Citizens of other countries should approach Malawi embassy or the nearest diplomatic mission for visa requirements and information.