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Malawi

Safety

  • Even though Malawi is known as “the Warm Heart of Africa,” crime is common. Most crimes against Americans involve property.
  •  Residential break-ins are prevalent throughout Malawi and perpetrators of these crimes are usually well-armed and may resort to violence with little provocation.
  • Petty street crime (robbery and pick-pocketing) is common, and break-ins have also occurred in hotels/lodges throughout the country.
  • We urge you to avoid traveling on foot at night, especially in urban areas, as armed muggings and assaults have increased.
  • Specifically, non-Malawians have been targeted in Lilongwe, and several U.S. citizens have been injured. Even when walking in a large group, city streets should be considered unsafe after dark.
  • Pedestrians should be cautious even during daylight hours.
  • We recommend you use caution when visiting and/or staying in isolated areas such as Mount Mulanje where the availability of public security forces is limited. You should take appropriate action to ensure your safety if traveling to remote areas, and never travel alone or at night.

World Race Security Plan – Malawi

Safety in Malawi
What do other Racers need to know in order to be safe? Current safety protocols/precautions in place? Any relevant issues/concerns? Any precautionary suggestions?

People’s Opinions

  1. I was with a team in Kombinat, an area of the city of Tirana. We did have an incident of being harassed by a man who clearly did not like us Americans helping at the church we stayed at. Be aware at all times and watch out for pick-pocketers. Did have a few incidents of kids grabbing on and reaching for pockets and straps of backpacks.

Health

CDC Travelers Health | Malawi

Malaria

  • Areas affected: All of Malawi
  • Estimated risk: Moderate
  • Chloroquine is NOT an effective antimalarial drug in Malawi and should not be taken to prevent malaria in this region
  • Recommended chemoprofylaxis: Atovaquone/ proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine
  • Symptoms
    • Fever
    • Chills
    • Sweats
    • Headache
    • Body Aches
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Fatigue

*The medicines used to prevent malaria can be very effective when used properly, but none of them are 100% effective.

Dengue Fever

  • Areas Affected: It is likely to find Dengue in all of Malawi
  • Symptoms
    • Principal
      • High fever and at least two of the following
      • Severe headache
      • Severe eye pain (behind eyes)
      • Join pain
      • Muscle and/or bone pain
      • Rash
      • Mild bleeding manifestation (e.g., nose or gum bleed, or easy bruising)
      • Low white cell count
    • Severe warning signs (IMMEDIATELY go to an emergency room if the following appear)
    • Severe abdominal pain or persistant vomiting
    • Red spots or patches on the skin
    • Bleeding from nose or gums
    • Vomiting blood
    • Black, tarry stools
    • Drowsiness or irritability
    • Pale, cold, or clammy skin
    • Difficulty breathing

Health in Malawi
Any special health concerns?

People’s Opinions

  1. Patient was tested positive with malaria one week after leaving Malawi. She presented with all symptoms listed above.

Visa Info

U.S. State Dept Visa Info | Malawi

Visa Info in Malawi
Do you need one? Where did you get it? Cost? Resources/sources:

People’s Opinions

  1. We crossed at Zobue, and it was a pretty interesting process. It’s hard to know exactly when the border was open, the website is unclear. We got to Zobue via Tete around 6pm, and it was pretty busy still. It’s pretty unsafe there especially after dark so we made sure people were watching our bags while we all got our passports stamped. Getting through the Malawi side of the border was definitely a God thing — we were sure that they weren’t going to be open by the time we got there (it was about 7:30-8pm). They said they closing at 9, so we got the visa application and the money and got them processing. It took a really long time — the border agents stayed until 11:30pm processing all our visas, which was totally God’s favor. Be kind to them!! The visas were $75 per person. There was also a $145 toll fee for our bus, which had to be paid in USD. We weren’t expecting this fee, so we had to cover it for our drivers. Tip: find and print out the visa applications ahead of time, and have everyone fill it out on the bus. That would save a ton of time and trouble!

Currency Info

Currency Info in Malawi
Name of currency? Where can you exchange money?

People’s Opinions

  1. The currency is called kwacha. The exchange rate fluctuates daily, sometimes hourly. It hovers around 700k per $1USD.

Communication

Communication in Malawi
Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?

People’s Opinions

  1. SIM cards only cost about 400kw. The major network was Airtel, and you get a discount on calls/texts if you call from one Airtel card to another, so try to get everyone the same network.

Transportation

How did you get to Malawi….

International Travel
  • From Mozambique:
  • From Zimbabwe:
  • From Zambia:
  • From Tanzania::
  • etc

Transportation in Malawi
What transportation did you use to enter the country? Where were you coming from? What transportation was used to move throughout the country? Be sure to include the cost per person in USD and contact info if applicable.

People’s Opinions

  1. The bus we took from Malawi to Zambia was “Mutopa Tours”, based out of Lilongwe. We fit 38 people on it for a ~40 hour ride to Livingstone, Zambia. It went a bit slow with all the weight of the bus, but it was much less expensive than any other option we were able to find. The people we dealt with were friendly and pleasant to do business with. Mr. Gollen Banda 0999 420 222
  2. To get around to and from different cities:Isaiah [ 0991677846 ]– predominantly in Salima and Lilongwe area but willing to give rides anywhere– has a minivan that we were able to squeeze 7 girls with their big packs and daypacks into for a 2.5 hr ride.Victor [ 0996746663 ] [ 0882970163 ]– predominantly in Salima and Blantyre area, but again willing to drive anywhere– has a sedan, able to fit 3 people with their bigpacks and daypacks into
  3. The squad bussed from Zambia to Malawi. We used a company called KOBS transportation. We paid 19,000 kwacha for a direct bus for the entire squad. They provided a 72 seater bus which was pretty great. I communicated with the Director of the company to make the deal. His phone number: Director 0977 794043 or 0966 794043. He was really nice and helpful. Secretary’s email: kobs@iconnect.zm

Culture

 
Cultural Norms and Sensitivities
  • Greeting: For men, a handshake with the right hand is appropriate in most situations. Handshakes tend to be firm and very often linger a bit. In order to show respect, people sometimes hold their wrist with their left hand when greeting. For women greeting women, a bow or handshake is appropriate. Sometimes with other women, you can show high respect by placing your left hand on the right elbow when handshaking and bowing.
  • Personal Space: Depending on what tribal or religious group you are around can depend on this, but for the most part, people tend to speak very close to each other. Generally, an arm’s length is appropriate.
  • Eye Contact: It tends to be rude to make too much eye contact with elders. Women generally don’t look at men when talk to them.

Culture in Malawi
Anything Racers need to be aware/respectful of? Suggestions/Recommendations?

People’s Opinions

  1. It is very common to see Albanians walking around holding hands or linking arms with members of hte same sex. This is just a cultural thing, it is not an indication of homosexuality. Albanians are warm people and will usually greet you with a handshake, and, once acquainted with you, a kiss (or air kiss) on each cheek starting with the left cheek.Women will usually dress nice to go out of the house and will rarely leave the house without lipstick.You will get invited to have a “coffee” – this can be anything that is available at any of the myriad coffee bars around.Family ties are very strong. It is very rare for a young person to openly defy their parents or older relatives, especially in the village settings. Particulalry in the north of Albania there is almost a tribal mentality. The extended family is called the “fis” (pronounced “feece”) and people are fiercely loyal to their fis.There are still active blood feuds in the north. Families involved in a blood feud (or “under blood”) will keep their male members in hiding. It is estimated that some 300 families are under blood at this time. Any male member of a family in a blood feud is a target if they are out in public. As long as they stay in their homes they are safe. Outsiders are safe from danger, although I would not recommend going out in public with someone who is involved in a blood feud.

Shipping / Mailing

DHL | Malawi

Shipping / Mailing in Malawi
Company used and contact info? How did you get packages to them?

Tips

People’s Opinions

  1. Comments

Additional Info

Emergency Contact Numbers
Ambulance 998
Fire 999
Police 997

Embassy and Consulate Information
 
United States Embassy (Lilongwe)
Emergency #: (+265) 773-166
Non-emergency #: (+265) 773-166
Email: ConsularLilong@state.gov
Web: http://lilongwe.usembassy.gov/
The Embassy is located at Area 40, Plot 24, Kenyatta Drive.
 
Canadian High Commission (Maputo)
There is no Canadian Embassy or Consulate in Malawi
Emergency #: (+613) 996-8885 (Collect Call)
Non-emergency #: (+258) 21-492-623 [Mozambique]
Email: mputo@international.gc.ca
Web: http://mozambique.gc.ca
The Embassy is located at Kenneth Kaunda Avenue
 
British High Commission (Lilongwe)
Emergency #: (+265) 772-400
Non-emergency #: (+265) 772-400
Web: http://ukinmalawi.fco.gov.uk/en/
The High Commission is located at Lilongwe 3.

Additional Info in Malawi
Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?