Malawi is a long-stretched country with highlands in the north and lower plateaus in the south. The Great Rift created the country's heart and soul, the 580 km / 360 miles long Lake Nyasa (also known as Lake Malawi). It covers 1/5 of the whole territory and is the third largest lake in Africa, hosting over 500 different species of fish. Malawi's border with Mozambique runs partly through the lake, excluding the Malawian islands, whereas Tanzania borders the northern part of the eastern lakeshore. The river Shire leaves Lake Nyasa in the south to join the Zambezi River further down. Also situated in the very south is Malawi's highest peak, Mount Mulanje (3 002 m / 9 849 ft). 

Malawi generally has a sub-tropical climate with the wet season from November to April and the dry season from May to October. In general, the highlands receive more rain than the lake coast. The dry season increases in temperature during its course, starting at cooler 21°C / 70°F in May and reaching an average of about 30°C / 86°F in October. In some places, like in Lilongwe, temperatures can range extremely.

On entering, citizens of most Commonwealth countries, most European countries (except Switzerland), and the US will be granted a 30 day visa. This can be extended. If you arrive by plane, a return ticket might be required. Children ID's need to contain a picture to be accepted if the child is 7 years of age or older. 

Diplomatic Embassies and High Commissions of Malawi
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Germany Westfälische Str. 86 10709 Berlin Germany .	Tel. ++49 30 86 31 34 50 Fax ++49 30 86 31 34 51 .
United Kingdom 33 Grosvernor St London W1X 0DE United Kingdom .	Tel. ++44 20 7491 4172, ++44 20 7491 4177 Fax ++44 20 7491 9916
United States 2408 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington DC 20008 United States .	Tel. ++1 202 797 1007

Diplomatic Embassies and High Commissions in Malawi
 

Germany Convention Drive Capital City Lilongwe Malawi Postal Address: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, P.O. Box 30046, Lilongwe 3, Malawi .	Tel. ++265 1 772 555 Fax ++265 1 770 250 germanemb@malawi.net . . . . .
United Kingdom Kenyatta Rd City Centre Lilongwe Malawi Postal Address: P.O. Box 30042 Lilongwe 3, Malawi .	Tel. ++265 1 772 400, ++265 1 772 683, ++265 1 772 701, ++265 1 772 182, ++265 1 772 027, ++265 1 772 123, ++265 1 772 550 Fax: ++265 1 772 657  bhclilongwe@fco.gov.uk
United States Convention Dr City Centre Lilongwe Malawi .	Tel. ++265 1 773 166 http://usembassy.state.gov/malawi . .

1 Malawian Kwacha (MWK) = 100 Tambala

You can exchange cash or traveller cheques at banks and foreign exchange bureaus (with the bureaus being the cheaper option when it comes to commission). Main banks are the National Bank of Malawi and the Commercial Bank of Malawi. Most credit cards are accepted, at least in the major cities, although there might be an additional surcharge. Cash advance can be a bit of a problem, but cash withdrawals from ATM's are an easy alternative. A maximum of 3 000 Kwacha can be exported.

Banks are usually open Monday - Friday from 8.00 to 13.00.

Country code: ++265. There are no regional codes, the first digit of the six-digit number indicates the region (e.g. 7 for Lilongwe), and all landline numbers need the prefix 01. Mobile phone numbers start with 8 and 9 and need a 08 or 09 in front.
International access code from Malawi: 00
Internet code: .mw

Other important numbers: 
Police: 199 
Ambulance: 199 

Calls can be made from post and telephone offices in major cities as well as from coin and card phone boxes. Internet cafes are also increasing in numbers in all major cities. Malawi's postal services can be slow and are not necessarily reliable. 

Post and telephone offices are usually open Monday to Friday from 7.30 to 16.30.

Electricity

Malawi uses 220 V / 230 V / 240 V / 50 Hz.
The plug is a rectangular blade plug.

If the holiday coincides with a weekend, it is moved to the following Monday. There are also several variable Muslim holidays.

Air

The airport is located 20 km / 12 miles outside Lilongwe. Please note that upon departure all internationally bound passengers must pay an airport tax of 30US $ in US Dollars cash. 

Air Malawi offers flights to / from Johannesburg, Harare, and Lusaka. South African Airways flies to / from Johannesburg. Air Zimbabwe connects Lilongwe with Harare, Air Kenya with Nairobi. British Airways flies to / from London and Lilongwe and KLM routes between Amsterdam and Lilongwe. 

Overland

Driving

The main border crossings are: 

From Tanzania: Songwe Bridge

From Zambia: Mchinji and Chitipa

From Mozambique: Zóbuè - Mwanza, Dedza, Vila Nova da Fronteira, Milange - Mulanje, Entre Lagos - Nayuchi and Mandimba – Chiponde

If you enter Malawi with a vehicle that is not registered in Malawi, you have to get a temporary import permit (TIP) and third party insurance at the border. It is usually not permitted to take a rental car from South Africa into the country; clear with your car rental agency. All vehicles entering Malawi are subject to a road tax of 20 US$. Upon leaving, you have to pay a 3 US$ permit handling fee. 

Bus

From Tanzania: Minibuses run all the way between Dar es Salaam and Lilongwe with stops in Mzuzu, Karonga, the Songwe border crossing, and Kyela. There is also a direct connection between Dar es Salaam and Lilongwe.

From Zambia: There are minibuses connecting Lusaka to Lilongwe with stops in Chipata and the Mchinji border crossing. You can also catch direct buses between Lusaka and Lilongwe.

From Mozambique: From Quelimane or Nampula you can get minibuses via Mocuba and Milange to the Milange - Mulanje border crossing from where you can reach Blantyre. Another way to enter Malawi is at the Mandimba - Chiponde border crossing coming from Cuamba and then continuing to Mangochi via Namwera. Also coming from Cuamba, you can head further south and take the Entre Lagos - Nayuchi border crossing from where you can get to Liwonde. If you are coming from Caia, you can a take a minibus via Vila de Sena to get to the Vila Nova da Fronteira border crossing from where you can continue to Blantyre via Nsanje.
Minibuses run from Tete to the Zóbuè - Mwanza border crossing from where you can get another minibus to Blantyre. The Dedza border crossing is close to Lilongwe, but buses hardly go there.

Train

There is a train route running from Nacala and Moçambique (both in Mozambique) via Nampula and Cuamba to the Entre Lagos - Nayuchi border. You can also get to the border from Lichinga. From there, rail travel can be made to Lilongwe via Liwonde and Balaka or south to Blantyre. 

Boat

Since Malawi's borders with Tanzania and Mozambique run along or even through Lake Malawi, it is possible to cross into Malawi by ferry. Coming from Tanzania, the only route across the lake is on the Songeya ferry from Mbamba Bay to Nkhata Bay near Mzuzu. From Mozambique, the Ilala ferry connects Metangula and Cobuè with either Nkhotakota in the South of Malawi or with Likoma Island and Nkhata Bay further north. There are also boats, which run between Meponda and Senga.