Practical Information
Visa & entry
Most nationalities receive a 30-day tourist visa on arrival. Passport must be valid for 6 months. Extend at the immigration office in Lilongwe. No onward ticket is officially required but it helps.
Money & payments
ATMs in Lilongwe and Blantyre dispense Kwacha from banks (FNBM, Standard Bank). Exchange rates are fair. Credit cards work at hotels and larger restaurants. USD and GBP can be exchanged at banks. Street money changers are common but risky; use banks.
SIM cards & internet
Airtel and TNM are the main carriers. Buy SIM cards at airport or shops. 4G is available in cities; expect 3-5 Mbps. Rural areas drop to 3G. Airtime is cheap. Wi-Fi in hotels and cafes is spotty.
Getting around
Minibus taxis connect towns; comfortable but crowded and slow. No domestic flights. Car hire with driver is sensible for remote areas. Roads are tarmac in main corridors, dirt elsewhere. Expect slow progress on unpaved routes. Lilongwe and Blantyre have local taxis (cheap, negotiate fare).
Health
Malaria is present year-round, especially in lower altitudes. Take prophylaxis. Water in cities is treated; drink bottled water in rural areas. Hospitals are basic; serious cases need evacuation to South Africa. Vaccinate against hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and polio.
Language & etiquette
Chichewa is spoken; English is widely understood. Greet people warmly. Haggling is normal in markets. Dress modestly in villages and religious sites. Photography of people requires permission. It is considered rude to refuse a meal or greeting.
When to go
Best time is May to November (dry, cool season). December to April is hot and rainy, with cyclone risk December-March. Temperatures 20-30C year-round, cooler in highlands. Lake is swimmable November to April.
Getting there
Lilongwe's Lilongwe International Airport (formerly Kamuzu) is the primary gateway; South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and regional carriers operate regular service. Blantyre airport serves the south. Overland routes from Mozambique, Zambia, and Tanzania are well-established. Lake crossings to Tanzania exist but are rare for tourists. Most connections route through Johannesburg or Nairobi.