Malawi – or ‘the warm heart of Africa’, as the locals call it – is a beautiful, peaceful and above all, extremely friendly country. Although smaller and less travelled than the large neighbouring countries of Zambia and Tanzania, Malawi’s warm-hearted hospitality and picturesque landscapes leave guests inspired and delighted. Malawi offers an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna, and landscapes range from mountains and plateau regions to broad expanses and the huge Lake Malawi, which at approximately 580 km long covers a fifth of this landlocked country.

The lake is situated for the most part in the Malawian area, but a western ‘strip’ belongs to its neighbour Mozambique. Malawi is not known as the small country on a big lake for nothing. Lake Malawi is home to a myriad of rare species of fish; it even has tides like the sea. David Livingstone described it as the ‘lake of stars’, and not just because of its magical reflection of the stars upon its surface, but on nights when the full moon shines, the whole sea glitters like an immense starry sky.

Malawi’s winter months, from April to September, are cooler and dryer and therefore more comfortable months to visit. Daytime temperatures reach approximately 25°C, evenings and nights can be relatively cool. The grass is shorter in winter and animals usually gather around watering holes, making it easier to spot the wildlife while on safari. April and May on Lake Malawi are warm, dry and virtually windless. June to August is often windy and cool at night. September is warmer and the winds abate.

Summer in Malawi lasts from October to March when tropical, hot-humid conditions prevail. Temperatures climb to 30°C, and nights remain warm. Despite the heat, summer is an ideal time for a safari, as the bush is lush and green. The story is somewhat different on Lake Malawi, where most of the lodges close from January to March due to heavy downpours of rain during this period. October and November can be very hot; the lake offers ideal conditions for a variety of water-based activities, and is perfect for a cooling dip. Temperatures in December are still high, but drop slightly during rain showers.

Swiss citizens require a visa for Malawi, which can be purchased on arrival. Most EU citizens do not need a visa. Both Swiss and EU citizens require a passport which is valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your departure from Malawi, and must contain at least two blank pages.

International flights arrive at Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. Our guests usually travel via Johannesburg or combine Malawi with a safari in Zambia, from where we can arrange flights to Malawi.

The lodges are partly accessed by light aircraft. There is a restriction of 15kg per person when flying in these aircraft. Do not bring hard suitcases, but only soft sports bags.

There is a risk of malaria in the whole country. Please seek advice from your doctor. Make sure that you are adequately insured, particularly for a medical evacuation from a remote area and repatriation. All necessary medication must be brought from home. Do not rely on getting the required medication in Malawi. All medication must be kept in your hand luggage.

The national currency is called the Malawi Kwacha. It is also advisable to carry USD in cash (for tips etc.). Credit cards are accepted in larger towns, please make sure your PIN code works as this makes transactions via the automated teller machine (ATM) faster and more secure.

There is no specific clothes that you need to bring on a safari. Comfortable, casual clothes are your best choice. For the game drives, all colours are allowed. For walking safaris, only brown, green or beige tones are recommended. For the period from May to August, bring warm clothes, including hats and gloves. As for footwear, we recommend comfortable, open sandals and a pair of sturdy shoes. Hiking boots are not necessary unless you have planned extensive walks.

The official language is English. There are also several Bantu dialects spoken, as well as the national language Chichewa. Mobile connection is usually good, unless you are far away from urban centres. However, most camps provide Internet / Wifi access nowadays.

Food at the lodges is of good quality. We recommend you to drink only bottled drinking water. Only bottled mineral water and filtered ice are available at the lodges.

The power supply is 220 - 230 volts. Adapters for all countries are present at all good lodges. Computers, cameras and iPods can then be recharged. The power supply is available 24 hrs a day at most lodges. Use is limited at lodges powered by solar energy (i.e. no hairdryer!) Swiss three-pronged plugs cannot be used anywhere; make sure your appliances are fitted with the two-pronged variety.

Clothes can be washed at all lodges. Please note that clothes are washed by hand and then sun dried at most lodges. Due to cultural differences, guests must wash their own underwear. Do not take too many clothes, instead make use of the laundry service wherever possible.

Traffic in Malawi drives on the left-hand side. The most important road from north to south is in good condition, but not 100% asphalted. Other important transport routes are tarred, but often peppered with potholes. Guests are advised to take care when self-driving in Malawi.

In summer (March – September), there is no time difference. The time is plus one hour in winter.