MALAWI (information) stay: 2005/June/30.. 2005/Jul/31, 2005/Aug/9.. 2005/Sep/29, 2005/Oct/15.. 2006/Jan/22 general view ********************************************** The sunrise and sunset are very beautiful. The sun becomes like a tomato on that time. Scuba diving in Lake MALAWI is famous. To get a licence here is cheaper than other countries. You can enjoy 'Carlsberg' beer here. In Blantyre there's a 'Carlsberg Brewery.' There are many craft work shops, especially in Nkhata Bay and Cape Maclear. You can order your original key ring and so on with about $2..10. But their skill is poor. We Japanese don't need visa. money ********************************************** *$1=Mk133(F.B.), $1T/C=Mk120..122 *ATM(NB) is available for VISA and CitiBank card. *You can buy US$ cash and sell T/C. There are few F.B. which trade MOZAMBIQUE money. And no F.B. trades ZIMBABWE money. prices ********************************************** remote area accommodation; (room)200.., (camp)150.. , big town accommodation; (room)400.., (camp)360.. , petrol(domestic unification price); 134.8/L, beer(500ml); 50.., Fanta(350ml); 25, food stall; 50.., Internet; 200..300/h food ********************************************** Nsima is popular. KILOMBERO(MALAWI rice) is good quality. Basically the vegetables are fresh. accommodation ********************************************** They have enough parking space as long as there's no note in the following. But the security is your own responsibility. in Lilongwe (capital) KIBOKO camp along 'Livingstone Rd.,' near 'Likni' roundabout, crossing 'Glyn Jones Rd.' and 'Mtunthama Rd.' C;405 or $3, D;675 or $5, chalet;2025 or $15 / restaurant&bar, shared toilet & hot shower, volleyball coat (6 days stay + 1 day free) note! The order stop is 17:00 at the restaurant in the camp. And there's no kitchen. When you go to a restaurant in the town after 1700, you need to get on a taxi. Be careful when you arrive here after 17:00. dinner; 550, beer; 100 Golf Club along 'Glyn Jones Rd.' C;315 / restaurant&bar, shared duty toilet & cold shower Every Wednesday has a happy time at the bar. Saint PETER's Guest House the opposite of 'Golf Club' D;400, (kitchen)+200/day / kitchen (stove, warm? refrigerator) The guests are almost local people. AZB lodge along 'Devil st.' S;400(500) / restaurant, shared duty toilet & cold shower The guests are almost local people. Annies Restaurant (accommodation) near 'Lilongwe' bridge C;$2.5, room $5 They said it was under reforming. But today it may open. in Blantyre Blantyre Lodge along 'Chileka Rd.' near BP petrol station C500(by negotiation), W1000(shared toilet&shower), W1500(private toilet&shower) / restaurant This is also a bus terminal for RSA. Doogles along 'Mulomba' near the Bus terminal C;$3, D;$5, chalet;$15 (Payment by Mk is cheaper. Mk is the current price.) / restaurant&bar, Internet(Japanese readable), pool, most showers are broken or just water, The toilet and shower space is shared with men and women. The water tank is small, so the water supply is often cut off. The power failure is also often. Most nights are noisy over the midnight because of the music of the bar. The bar man and owner ignore your claim, or say 'Fuck You!'　Basically they think the guests are only the people at the bar, not in the accommodation. In the morning it's also noisy because of the horn at the bus terminal. At least camping is uncomfortable here. This is never recommended. Kabula Lodge 1.1 km from the centre of the town C400(by negotiation), room1000(with breakfast)(more than 1 month stay, 700/day, without breakfast), room;$35(with breakfast) / restaurant, kitchen(stove, refrigerator), nice view Michiru Mountain Conservation Area (MMCA) 9 km from the town, the end of 'Michiru Rd.' The last 6 km is an earth road. Camping free, Rental tent is free (They may expect a tip) / tap water, shared toilet&shower, A plug is at the office, museum This is in the foot of the Mt. There's no food and shops. There are some trekking courses (free). in Nkhata-Bay KUPENJA Lodge C150, D250, S300..350, W500 (You may discount!) / restaurant&bar, kitchen (by negotiation), shared toilet & hot shower, bookshelf, lakeside MAYOKA village C220 or $2, D275or $2.5, S770 or &7? / restaurant&bar, bookshelf, lakeside Popular among Europian. I don't know why. The place is far from centre of the town. So it's uncomfortable. Big Blue C200, shalet500 / restaurant&bar, kitchen (facilities?), lakeside Heart Hostel C150, W250 duty, many kids are coming, Parking is possible but security is doubtful. Backpackers Connection under renewal. in Monkey Bay ZAWADI Lodge the opposite of 'DAISY's CAFE' C200, room200 This is the cheapest accommodation here I think. VENICE Beach 2 km deep sand road from the sign in the town C300 / restaurant&bar?, Internet It's too far from the centre of the town. This is not recommended. DAISY's CAFE (camp site) the opposite of 'ZAWADI Lodge' The opening is being prepared. in Cape Maclear Steavens Resthouse C150, W400(self conttain) (You may discount!) / restaurant, scuba diving (scuba shack), lakeside FAT Monkeys C200, room? / restaurant&bar, scuba diving, lakeside Many overlanders are here. (Golden Sands Holiday Resort) inside of the NP C45, chalet75, (admission)+$5/day(You may discount!) / No water, No shower (using the lake water) in Chitimba Around the following camp site, there's almost no shops. You'd better buy things in advance. MDOXERA's Beach Campsite 5 km north from 'Chitimba Beach Camp', along the main road C200, chalet300?(You may discount!) / kiosk, lakeside Chitimba Beach Camp C300, chalet1000 / restaurant&bar, lakeside Many overlanders are here. town ********************************************** in Lilongwe (capital) beer(kuche kuche); 50, (other Carlsberg)65.., rice; 100/kg, Kilombero(high quality rice);175/kg, fanta(300ml);25, egg(6);80, food stall;(Nsima)50.. (in front of GPO or near the immigration, only lunch time of weekday) Internet; Comptech Cyber Cafe along 'Mandala st.' 5/min, storage;+100, (They have some discount rate.) / Japanese typing possible, Pakistani owners WANYALA office service in the mall near 'Lilongwe' bridge 5/min, storage;+100 / Japanese typing possible Telekom Cafe in 'Chief Kilipula Building', next to NB. 6/min, storage;+? shopping; Old Town Mall near 'Chilambula Rd.' travel agency, art and crafts shop, electronics store, Asian food store and so on in Blantyre hair cut;20, water melon; 100..200, engine oil (500ml);159..196, water(2L);95, coke(300ml);25, beer; 45..60, food stall(Nsima); 50.. Carlsberg Brewery along 'Makata Rd.,' though the entrance is the opposite side. They show you around the factory and you can taste the beer free. This tour is free, but you need to make a reservation. market in front of the railway station and 'Blantyre Lodge' You can buy many colourful vegetables and so on. (vegetables); 20..40/pile THE WAREHOUSE CLUB (bar) near the clock tower roundabout A little difficult to find, but a very good bar! RECOMMENDED! Hope Dental Surgery (dental clinic) at 'Chichili Shopping Centre' consultation;200, cleaning;1000, ... Internet; Malawi NET 'Galaxy House', near the roundabout crossing 'New Chileka Rd.' and 'Glyn Jones Rd.' 50/15min / Japanese typing possible E-Centre at the crossing 'Victoria Ave.' and 'Independence Dve.' 5/min / Japanese typing possible, The line is fast. i zone along 'Victoria Av.', near NBS bank and BA 50/15min / Japanese readable motorcycle shop; SUZUKI dealer shop along 'Chilembwe Hwy,' Chichili, tel.265-01-671-855 The sign is only BMW or Audi. near 'Caltex' petrol station YAMAHA dealer shop along 'Ali Hassan Mwinyi Rd.' near the stadium at Chichili. The sign is not only YAMAHA but also MITSUBISHI, PEUGEOT and so on. forex bureau; Rennies is the best price, I think. That is near 'peoples' supermarket along 'Victoria Ave.' Victoria Forex or Travellers Forex can trade MOZAMBIQUE money. They are along 'Victoria Ave.' No F.B. is trading ZIMBABWE money. in Mangochi ATM is there. When you go to Monkey Bay and Cape Maclear, this is the last ATM. Internet; IT Masters 10/min (analogue telephone line) Petroda (petrol station) inside 100/10min in Limbe There are some motorcycle parts shops. MOZAMBIQUE high commission is also here. in Nkhata Bay There's no ATM and net-cafe. You can exchange your money in the black market. But tourist rate and local rate are different. It's better to ask a local staff in your accommodation for your exchange. beer; 45.., Chibuku (local beer);40, coke(300ml);25, Nsima;80.., water(1L);74, rice(1kg);131.5, engine oil (500ml);159, egg;14, woodwork(order made); ?00.. (small BAO game bord is Mk500..) AQUA AFRICA (diving centre) http://www.aqua-africa.co.uk/index.htm tel. 01-352-284 lesson; (ow 5 days)$200, (ad 3 days)$160(140).., fun dive; (daytime)$20, (night)$30 in Mzuzu mini bus (to Nkatabay); 100..150 Internet; City Cyber & Business Centre 10/min, storage;+100.. / Japanese readable, The line is slow. Balero Business Bureau near 'City Cyber & Business Centre' 25/min / Japanese typing possible, Weekend is also open. The line is a little fast. in Monkey Bay No ATM. Some supermarkets and petrol stations are here. When you go to Cape Maclear, you should get petrol and things here. At the police station, you can extend your visa. in Cape Maclear No ATM and no petrol station. Some kiosk and restaurants are there. I recommend doing your own cooking. scuba diving; Check the today's price at the each web site. Scuba Shack at 'Steavens Resthouse,'www.scubashackmalawi.com/index.html fun dive; $30, (10 fun dives)$250, lesson;(ow)$190, (ad)$?, (rescue)$200 +(CPR)$100 Internet;(first 15 min)250, (after every 15 min)+150 / Japanese typing possible Danforth Yachting www.danforthyachting.com/scuba.htm fun dive;(daytime)$20, (night)$30, lesson; (ow)$190, (ad)$150 This is a friend shop of 'AQUA AFRICA' in Nkhata Bay clinic (non resident)500 / The doctor is European. Including all cure and medicine, only just Mk500. in Karonga 46 km to the border. This is the last (first) town which has an ATM(NB) near the border. Petrol stations and a supermarket are. You'll see they are dressing a pig along the street. roast pork; 5/dish government establishments (visa) ***************************************** immigration Visa extension is free. The maximum is 3 months stay. (for Japanese tourists) immigration town (* = Customs are also there.) Lilongwe(*), Mzuzu(*), Zomba, Nkhata Bay, Likoma Island, Blantyre(*), Monkey Bay(at the police station) customs The temporary import extension is Mk1200/30days. The maximum is 6 months import. At the same time, your car insurance card will be checked. When you use AIT/FIA carnet, it's free while 6 months without extension. in Lilongwe (capital) immigration along 'Murray Rd.' customs red brick building, along 'Queens Dr.,' 2 km from the roundabout to the border TANZANIA High Commision 'Plaza House' 1F, between 'MAGETSI House' and 'LINGADZI House,' near 'Civic Office' along 'Convention dr.,' 'Area 19'? single 1 month, validity for entry 6 months, $50, photo, copy of your passport issue: at the latest, by the next day At the border you can get single 3 months visa with $50. TANZANIA single visa is possible to use like a multiple visa between KENYA, UGANDA, RWANDA?, BURUNDI. (Immigration officers say RWANDA is impossible, but certain tourists could.) in Blantyre (Limbe) immigration along 'Victoria Av.', the opposite side of 'Blantyre Sports Club' customs (for carnet) right side building 2F in 'KEZA OFFICE PARK' at Chichili, near a big roundabout and 'Chichili Shopping centre'. MOZAMBIQUE High Commision in Limbe (application) weekday 800..1200AM
VISA | validity for entry | type | 7 working days | 4 working days | next working day | same day
transit | 30 days | single 2 days | - | - | 900 | 1800
|  | double ? days | - | - | 1500 | 3000
tourist | 60 days | single 30days | 1000 | 1400 | 1600 | 3200
|  | single 60days | 2000 | 2800 | 3500 | 7000
|  | single 90days | 2900 | 4000 | 4900 | 9800
|  | multiple 90days | 3500 | 5000 | 6000 | 12000
|  | multiple 180days | 6200 | 9200 | 9400 | 18800
(Mk) in Mzuzu There are two customs buildings. One is for application, the other is for payment. transport ********************************************** bus; Lilongwe(MALAWI) - Lusaka(ZAMBIA); There are a few companies, but not everyday departure. Zk90,000..95,000 Blantyre(MALAWI) - Harare(ZIMBABWE), JHB(RSA); Be careful, you need MOZAMBIQUE and ZIMBABWE visa, even though you'll go to JHB. border ********************************************** Chipata-Lilongwe (entry from ZAMBIA); temporary import document; Mk1200/month (If you have an AIT/FIA carnet, it's free, though they may require the fee.) There are canvassers for the car insurance. In MALAWI there are many police checks of the insurance card. There are many street-changers. MALAWI side is better rate. Chipata-(border)--Lilongwe; Chipata--[taxi; zk10000, 22km]--ZAMBIA border--[taxi; mk200, 10km]--MALAWI border--[same taxi]--Muchinji--[mini bus; mk270, 4h, about 110km], (petrol stations)--Lilongwe Mwanza-Zobue (leaving for MOZAMBIQUE); You may pass through without visiting the immigration and customs at MALAWI side. Both are inside of the border building. You need some money at MOZAMBIQUE side. (Refer to 'MOZAMBIQUE') Blantyre--(pavement, 110km)--Mwanza(the last petrol station)--border(pavement, 5km)--Zobwe Nsanje border (entry from MOZAMBIQUE); Sometime 'Yellow Card' will be checked. Street changers are in MOZAMBIQUE side. In the night the border is close. (Refer to 'MOZAMBIQUE') Karonga-Mbeya (leaving for TANZANIA); Nothing is required. 1 km between MALAWI side and TANZANIA side. You can get TANZANIA visa at the border. (Refer to 'TANZANIA') road ********************************************** Main roads are pavement. Around Cape Maclear is earth road. Salima--(lakeside local road)--Nkhata Bay[about 380km]: Not so interesting view. You may feel cold while driving. 20 km near Nkhata-Bay junction, the road is winding in woods. Mzuzu: When you come from Lilongwe by national road, the road will lead you to Nkhata Bay. If you want to go north, you need turn left at the big junction, though there's no sign. Blantyre--(national road)--Lilongwe[316km]: Nice view! GPS ********************************************** Read Me First! malawi.gdb (for GARMIN 'Map Souce' file) malawi.rtf (GPS eXchange format file) You need to rename the file! plain text (html) route & track; Nsanje　(border between MALAWI and MOZAMBIQUE) Blantyre - Cape Maclear - Salima Chitimba - Mbeya　(border between MALAWI and TANZANIA) ************************************************************ (End) (English Home) http://www.seagulljapan.info/index2.html / (Japanese Home) http://www.seagulljapan.info/index.html All Rights Reserved: (c) seagull (seagulljapan@gmail.com) Copying is free as far as my copyright is specified. That's welcome to leave the copy at accommodations.