Country info for backpacking in Malawi

Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi on 6th July, 1964. After three decades of one-party rule, the country held multiparty elections in 1994 under a provisional constitution, which took full effect the following year. National multiparty elections were held again in 1999 and 2004 electing present president Bingu wa Mutharika.

History

Geography

Climate

The hottest region is on the shores of Lake Malawi, but there is mostly a cooling breeze. It is cooler in the highlands. Winters (May till July) are dry. The rainy seasons is from November until March.

Culture

Malawi is not known as a particularly dangerous travel locale for wester foreigners and expartriates. Muggings and robbery may occur in the larger cities as well as in some notorious places along the main tourist routes. It is advisable to avoid walking alone at night. If you go out for the evening, make sure you know how you're going back home. Car-jackings happen occasionally so keep windows shut and doors locked during evening and night journeys. Road safety is the most dangerous thing with the standard of vehicles and drivers usually being relatively poor. That said, Malawi does deserve its reputation as "the warm heart of Africa".

As with its neighboring countries malaria can be a problem. The lake is freshwater and is prone to bilharzia, especially in the Cape Maclear area. Symptoms of bilharzia can take months to surface, if you think you've been exposed to it you can get a very cheap pill from the local pharmacists that will kill it before it even shows its face. It's a good idea to take care of it before leaving Malawi as it will be much more expensive back home.