Malawi is a small African country wedged between Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia. Despite being landlocked, lake Malawi delivers an incredible experience with fantastic beaches, resorts and numerous water activities offered by the locals. Not only is the water of Malawi lake turquoise in color, but also safe and warm.

Traveling info

All tourists traveling to Malawi are required to have a valid passport. Depending on visitors nationality there are three different requirements of entry. Visitors from several African countries may enter Malawi without the requirement of a visa. The vast majority of visitors will be able to apply for a visa on arrival which does not require earlier authorization before travel. Citizens from the last group must obtain a visa before their travel in order to visit Malawi. (List of countries in sources). Visitors who wish to drive in Malawi may do so using their domestic driving permit. International Driving Permit is not required however it is strongly recommended as it will certainly come in handy when dealing with the local police or when renting a car. Drivers who wish to stay for a time exceeding 90 days must obtain a Malawian driving permit.

Traveling hazards

Malawi’s principal highways are generally in good condition, although safety hazards include the lack of road shoulders, frequent potholes, pedestrians, bicyclists and livestock. Secondary roads are in poor repair and may be impassable to all but four-wheel drive vehicles during the rainy season which lasts from November until April. Public transportation, consisting primarily of minibusses, is unreliable and accidents are common. Modern coach buses are increasingly common on the main cross country routes. Fuel supply, both diesel, and gasoline are often erratic, and travelers should plan accordingly. Given Malawi’s high road accident rate, you should drive defensively and avoid road travel outside cities at night. Road support networks for stranded drivers do not exist. Police roadblocks are common and properly documented drivers usually pass quickly and without incident.

Environmental hazards

Malawi is quite small compared to its neighbors however there are numerous species of wild animals making Malawi home. The big African five can be found in Malawi. The giant bush elephants can be spotted, despite being generally not aggressive, once startled or angered these animals can easily trample people and even flip over cars. Hippopotamuses can be found throughout rivers and in the Malawi lake. These animals are responsible for more human deaths, than elephants, lions, and crocodiles taken together. Hippos look docile however these animals are fierce and unpredictable. They are known for being territorial. Lions are the apex predators in Africa and kill over 250 people yearly. These giant felines are bold in nature and are not afraid to attack. Given their size, only grown elephants are safe. Crocodiles can be found throughout Malawi’s rivers and the Malawi lake. These large reptiles are generally nocturnal however attacks also happen during the day. Despite the reduction in habitable terrain for snakes due to farming, some of the most dangerous snakes still inhabit Malawi. Amongst these are the puff adder, the black mamba, Egyptian cobra and several other lethally venomous snakes. Tourists are strongly advised to avoid all snakes as an inexperienced eye won’t be able to tell a non-venomous from a venomous snake.
Malawi suffers from a number of natural hazards. And despite the occurring earthquakes, floods and droughts are the only two natural hazards responsible for deaths.

Health hazards

There is no risk of yellow fever in Malawi. The government of Malawi requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. Apart from the yellow fever vaccination, there are no other required vaccines. There are several other vaccinations which are strongly recommended to ensure a safe trip. These are the routine vaccines aka MMR vaccines, hepatitis A and B, cholera, typhoid and rabies vaccines. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine against Malaria. There are however alternative ways to protect from contracting the disease. Malaria is contracted through mosquito bites, therefore, using mosquito nets and mosquito repellants are strongly advised. There is also medicine on prescription against malaria which should be available to you after consulting your local GP. Public healthcare facilities are few in numbers and are heavily overworked. Hospitals are understaffed, undersupplied and often lack modern equipment. Despite the small size of Malawi access to healthcare is not provided everywhere equally. Most of the healthcare facilities focus in Lilongwe. Private hospitals generally provide a much better quality of and operate on much higher level however these are accessible to few as they come at an expense. Tourists should stick to private healthcare for better service.
In case of an emergency dial 998.

Crime

Crime in Malawi is usual to those of impoverished countries. Both petty and violent crime remains a serious concern. Pickpockets and purse snatchers often loiter near bus stations, marketplaces, shopping centers, and restaurants. Few problems have been reported at Malawi airports, but heightened awareness is still recommended in those locations as well. Most hotels are safe, but less reputable accommodations can be less secure. Valuables should not be left in hotel rooms, and visitors should be cautious when utilizing room safes, even in higher-end properties, as many are not securely anchored or have been compromised. Visitors should be mindful of vehicle robberies, carjackings, residential burglaries, armed robberies, and home invasions. Criminals tend to work in groups of 5 up to 15 people, are most commonly armed with panga knives, and sometimes are armed with a firearm. Criminals are quick to use violence if their demands are not met. Expatriates have been victims of violent crime but do not appear to be specifically targeted. If faced with an armed assailant, compliance is usually the best course of action to avoid personal injury. Criminal activity is more common in urban areas than in rural areas. There is no risk of terrorist activity in Malawi. Drug laws are strict and forbid the use or possession of any narcotic substances.

Summary

The Malawi lake is what most tourists visit Malawi for. The lake provides tourists with various attractions ranging from the beach going, kayaking, diving, yachting to much more. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.immigration.gov.mw/visa/apply-for-visa/
http://www.malawitourism.com/pages/content/index.asp?PageID=77
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/malawi
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever#5291