How to Find Cheap Hotels in Malawi

A slender slip of a country roughly the size of Pennsylvania, Malawi stretches north/south for hundreds of miles astride the Great Rift Valley of South Central Africa. It is bordered on the east by the equally long and narrow Lake Malawi. Despite impoverishment, pandemic disease and political instability among it neighbors, Malawi's tradition of social tranquility has earned it the appellation "The Warm Heart of Africa." English is widely spoken, given that Malawi was once a British colony.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet access

Find Cheap Accommodations in Malawi

1. Take a look at the Malawi Tourism Association and Marketing Consortium's Web site (see Resources below) to book lodgings. You may also call them at their offices in the UK at 011 (+44) (0)115 982 1903.

2. Call the Malawi Ministry of Tourism, Parks and Wildlife at (0) 177 1295 5499 2702 for more information on booking accommodations here.

3. Check out the several bed-and-breakfast inns located on the southern shores of the Lake near Mangochi. These sorts of accommodations are rare in Malawi, but they are beginning to appear in the more tourist-oriented regions of the country.

4. Consider booking accommodations in the lodges or "safari camps" principally located along the shores of Lake Malawi or within the national parks and game reserves. These lodges offer a variety of cheap accommodations ranging from true camping to chalets and dorms.

5. Look to the principal cities (Lilongwe, Blantyre, Zomba, Salima, Mangochi or Mzuzu) for Western-style, cheap hotels.

Plan Your Arrival in Malawi

6. Fly to Malawi through either the capital city of Lilongwe or the largest city of Blantyre. Regional carriers offer regularly scheduled flights and Malawi's national airline offers extensive service within the country.

7. Travel to Malawi by land. Bus service is available from Zimbabwe and South Africa, and Malawi operates an efficient and reliable bus system within the country. Consider renting a car from a neighboring country.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that Malawi is located in Southern Hemisphere and its seasons are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere. Malawi's winter is its dry season-considered the most desirable for tourism-and runs from April through October.
• Bring a passport valid for 6 months after the date of arrival, as well as a return ticket. A visa may be necessary, depending upon the visitor's nationality. Visas are unnecessary for residents of most English-speaking nations.
• Phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, check which international dialing prefix to use. All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• Malawi is an impoverished nation located in sub-tropical Africa, lacking a Western-style health infrastructure. It's home to a number of epidemics, including HIV/Aids and malaria. Secure the necessary vaccinations prior to departure and discuss with medical personnel preventive measures to avoid infection, such as insect repellent to prevent malaria-bearing mosquito bites.