Malawi Travel Overview
At a glance
Capital: Lilongwe
Official language: English, Chichewa
Currency: Kwacha
Continent: East Africa
The warm heart of Africa
Malawi is not only known for its lake, but also for its tea cultivation.
Location
According to Countryaah, Malawi is a landlocked country in southern Africa. The country is criss-crossed from the north to the south by Lake Malawi, which separates it from Tanzania. Other neighboring countries are Zambia in the west and Mozambique in the south and east.
Highlights
Lake Malawi has clear water and its beaches are a popular destination. It has a number of national parks that are well worth a visit. For a long time the forests of Malawi were cut down by the settlers, which has seriously affected the landscape. Today the forest is increasingly being reforested and the stock can slowly recover.
Important facts
Capital: Lilongwe
Official language: English, Chichewa
Currency
Currency (sub-unit)
Kwacha (100 tambala)
ISO 4217 code
MWK / 454
Geography
Continent: Africa
Region: east
Geo coordinates: S -13 ° -15 ‘-15.5 “E 34 ° 18’ 5.5”
Highest mountain: Sapitwa (3,002 m)
Total area: 118,480 km²
Mainland: 94,080 km²
National border: 2,881 km
Politics
Dependency: Great Britain until 1964
UN member since: 1964
Other political affiliation: African Union
Form of government: Presidential Republic
Economy
Export goods: Tobacco, tea, peanuts, corn
BSP: $ 1,872,600,000
GDP: $ 2,272,000,000
GDP share of agriculture: 32.1%
GDP share of industry: 18.2%
GDP share of services: 49.7%
Inflation rate: 17%
State budget revenue: $ 952,000,000
State budget expenditure: $ 997,000,000
National debt: 183.7%
Export: $ 422,000,000
Import: $ 697,000,000
Foreign debt: $ 3,479,000,000
Gold and currency reserves: $ 163,000,000
Electricity consumption: 1,550 million KWh
Oil consumption: 8,400 million m³
Cultivation area: 21.51%
Bovine: 760,000 pieces
Pigs: 477,000 pieces
Fishing: 39,000 t
Demographic data
Residents: 13,014,000
Residents in cities: 1,999,800
Average age: 16.5 years
0-14 years: 46.5%
15-64 years: 50.8%
> 65 years: 2.7%
Population growth: 2.38%
Birth rate: 43.13 / 1,000 residents
Death rate: 19.33 / 1,000 residents
Ratio men / women: 0.99
Fertility: 5.92 children / woman
Infant mortality: 94.37 ‰
Life expectancy men: 41.93 years
Life expectancy women: 41.45 years
Country codes and abbreviations
ISO 3166 Alpha 2: MW
ISO 3166 Alpha 3: MWI
ISO 3166 numeric: 454
Top Level Domain: mw
IOC country code: MAW
UN / LOCODE: MW
Source: Abbreviationfinder
Communication
Telephone connections: 162,000
Cell Phones: 274,000
Radios: 6,040,000
TV: 74,000
Computer: 29,000
Internet users: 106,000
Transportation
Railway lines: 797 km
Paved roads: 5,883 km
Cars: 33,000
Health
Number of doctors: 570
Daily food intake: 2.190 kcal / resident
HIV- infected people: 980,000
Education
Illiteracy: 36%
History
Foundation: 1390
Last sovereign since: 1964
Religion
Main religious group: Christians
Crime
Prison inmates: 9,900
Military
Armed forces (troop strength): 5,000
Defense Spending: $ 18.4 million
GETTING THERE
Arriving by plane
Malawian Airlines (3W) connects Lilongwe with Harare, Johannesburg and Dar es Salaam. Kenya Airways (KQ) connects Nairobi (Kenya) with Blantyre . Ethiopian Airlines flies from Ethiopia to Blantyre . There are also flight connections between Malawi and South Africa with South African Airways (SA). Proflight Zambia (PO) operates the Lusaka (Zambia) –Lilongwe route.
Flight times
US $ 30. The fee must be paid in US dollars in cash. Children under 2 years of age and transit passengers (24 hours) are excluded.
An entry fee of US $ 75 can be introduced at any time.
Arrival by car
Malawi is connected to all neighboring countries by roads. Roads lead from Mozambique to Mwanza in southwest Malawi and to Chiponde in the east. A bridge on the Songwe River in the northwest connects Malawi with Tanzania. The Lilongwe-Lusaka route runs from Chipata in the west to Zambia. The connection to Zimbabwe via the Tete Corridor in Mozambique still poses an increased security risk. Border crossings are i. General open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Arrival by ship
Ferries connect Malawi on Lake Nyasa from Nkhata Bay to Mamba Bay in Tanzania. There is also a ferry connection to Metangula and Cóbuè (Mozambique).
ON THE GO
Traveling by plane
Malawi Airlines (3W) connects Lilongwe with Blantyre. Several private charter airlines fly regularly to the country’s major tourist attractions.
Flight times
from Lilongwe to the following major cities (approximate hours and minutes):
| plane | Bus / car | |
| Blantyre | 0.40 | 4.00 |
| Mzuzu | 1.00 | 5.00 |
| Zomba | – | 4.00 |
| Karonga | 1.30 | 6.30 |
| Salima | – | 1.00 |
| Mangochi | 1.00 | 4.30 |
Departure fee
200 MWK for all domestic flights.
On the way by car / bus
All major roads and most of the minor roads can be used in any weather. The road network covers over 13,500 km. The great north-south expressway to Karonga in the north is paved.
Long-distance bus: Good bus connections, including an express service, between major cities. The drive from Mzuzu to Karonga is particularly impressive. Luxury coaches run between Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu.
Rental cars are available in the larger cities (reserve in advance). Chauffeur-driven cars are also available.
Documentation: International driver’s license.
Traffic regulations: left-hand traffic.
Traveling in the city
City buses operate in Blantyre and Lilongwe. There are regular buses in all major cities.
Taxi: Taxis are few and far between and cannot be hailed in the street. Taxi drivers expect tips.
On the go by train
Central East African Railways operates the country’s rail network, which extends to the border with Zambia in the west and the border with Mozambique in the east. The Beira Corridor to the border with Mozambique in the south has been closed for decades. The main route runs from Mchinji via Lilongwe, Salima, Chipoka, Blantyre, Limbe and Nsanje to the Mozambique border. For more information, contact Central East African Railways, PO Box 5144, Limbe (Tel: 01 64 08 44). The trains tend to be slow and crowded, and little used by tourists.
Out and about by ship
Regional shipping companies run tours on Lake Malawi. Cabins are available and meals can be taken on board. The local travel agencies can provide more information.
