Location Information

Lilongwe, Malawi
Language: English
Currency: Malawi Kwacha (MWK)

The Republic of Malawi is a democratic, densely populated country located in southeastern Africa. Malawi is bordered by Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique.

The earliest inhabitants of the area were Khoisan hunter-gatherers. They were largely replaced by Bantu tribes during Bantu migrations. What is now called Malawi was the Maravi state, founded by the Chewa people in the 16th century. In the early to mid 19th century, the Chewa people were joined by Zulu-related Ndwandwe people from KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, the Ngoni, under their king Zwangendaba. The first Western contact was the arrival of David Livingstone along the north shore of Lake Malawi in 1859, and subsequently Scottish Presbyterian churches establishing missions.

Malawi's climate is subtropical. The rainy season runs from November through to April. There is little to no rainfall throughout most of the country from May to October. It is hot and humid from October to April along the lake and in the Lower Shire Valley.

The capital of the northern region, Mzuzu, has one major hotel and several smaller establishments. The town is approached from the south by a road across the hills of the Viphya Plateau or by the lakeshore road. There are two game areas in the region: the Nyika National Park and the Vwasa Marsh Wildlife Reserve.

Malawi’s commercial capital (Blantyre) and largest town was established at the end of the 19th century. It is really two towns: Blantyre and Limbe, joined by a development corridor. Visits can be made to the National Museum, to St Michael and All Angels Church.

Hotel restaurants and many of those in the cities are of a good standard. They offer a wide choice of dishes including European, Korean and Chinese as well as authentic Malawi dishes. Poultry and dairy produce are plentiful and tropical fruits are abundant in season.

There is little nightlife in the European or US sense. Some restaurants have entertainment as do some of the hotels but outside Blantyre and Lilongwe this will usually take the form of a display of dancing during or after dinner at the lakeshore hotels.

Lilongwe is the capital of Malawi. It lies in the country's central region, on the Lilongwe River, near the border of Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia.

The city started life as a small village on the banks of the Lilongwe River, and became a British colonial administrative centre at the beginning of the 20th century. Due to its location on the main north-south route through the country and the road to Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), Lilongwe became the 2nd largest city in Malawi.

As compared to other African capitals, Lilongwe is politically stable, safe, and quiet. Many European and South African expatriates live in Lilongwe, and many international corporations, particularly tobacco-related firms, operate out of Lilongwe. As a result, most western visitors will find the city to be accommodating and friendly. Many coffee shops, cafes, bars, clubs, restaurants, and even a casino are located in Lilongwe.

Lilongwe is often used as a stopover when arriving or leaving the country but a day in this lively city could be interesting: try a visit to the market on Malangalanga Rd or look into some of the old Indian spice and cloth shops.

Medical Precautions:

Compulsory Vaccinations:
Yellow Fever

Recommended Vaccinations:
Hepatitis A
Meningitis
Tetanus

Precautions:
Malaria Prophylaxis