About Lilongwe

Lilongwe is the capital of Malawi. Lilongwe budget travel offers a range of highlights in a vibrant Malawi city.

Lilongwe Budget Travel

Lilongwe budget travel is very easy with great value for money backpacking tours and fantastic highlights. Below is useful information on Lilongwe to help you plan your budget holiday in Lilongwe. We offer a variety of budget tours and backpacking advice in Lilongwe.

Airports

Lilongwe airports include:
• Lilongwe International Airport

Birdlife

Lilongwe birdlife offers some beautiful habitats, including the Wildlife Center which offers bird nature walks on a regular basis. There are over 250 species within the center, and Lilongwe on the whole has a large number of endemic and migratory species. Dzalanyama Forest Reserve is also a popular bird watching destination.

Conservation

Lilongwe conservation efforts are mostly based around the Wildlife Center, which rehabilitates orphaned and rescued wildlife ranging from a large number of primates, to leopard, lion and other species. The center also has a number of rare wild flowers and plant species as part of the nature reserve within the grounds.

Culture

Lilongwe cultures include the following:
• Art dates back to ancient history
• Food and cuisine plays an important role in social and family gatherings
• Nightlife and entertainment is a popular pastime
• Sports is also important in Lilongwe, especially soccer
• Music and dance is an integral part of many ethnic groups’ cultures

Customs

Lilongwe customs allows free import for persons over 16 years of age only:
• 200 cigarettes or 225g of tobacco
• 1 liter of spirits
• 1 liter of beer
• 1 liter of wine

Health

Lilongwe health facilities are generally poorly maintained, with only the most basic of equipment and medication available, and very few doctors. There are a number of health risks, ranging from malaria, to AIDS, tick bite fever, sleeping sickness and other lesser illnesses. It is best to take out health insurance, and ensure you are vaccinated before visiting Lilongwe.

AIDS

Lilongwe HIV/AIDS is a major health risk for many locals, with factors such as poor healthcare, lack of education, prostitution, poverty, tribal customs and inherited wives adding to the problem. Awareness campaigns are not strong enough, and very few locals can afford proper treatment and often transmit the disease due to lack of understanding about AIDS. Many professionals including teachers and doctors are dying of AIDS, causing problems in lack of skilled resources.

Vaccinations

The following Lilongwe inoculations are required:
• Yellow Fever
• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Polio
• Rabies

Languages

Lilongwe languages include:
• English (official language)
• Chichewa
• Chiyawo
• Chilomwe
• Chitumbuka
• Chitonga
• Chisena

Malaria

Lilongwe malaria medication includes the following:
• Mefloquine (Lariam)
• Doxycycline
• Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone)

Money

Lilongwe money and banking information is as follows:
• Banking hours are Monday to Friday from 08h00-14h00
• Travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks, hotels and other airport
• Credit cards are accepted to some degree, but not at all vendors
• It is easier to exchange Dollars, Euros, Pounds or South African Rands
• There are a few ATMs in town, not all accept foreign cards however

People

Lilongwe people include the following groups:
• Chewa
• Nyanja
• Tumbuka
• Yao
• Lomwe
• Sena
• Tonga
• Ngoni
• Ngonde
• Asian
• European

Phrase

Lilongwe local phrases in Chichewa include:
• Hello - Moni
• How are you? - Muli bwanji?
• I am fine - Ndiri bwino
• Thank you - Zikomo
• I am happy - Ndakondwa

Vaccinations

The following Lilongwe inoculations are required:
• Yellow Fever
• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Polio
• Rabies

Plants

Lilongwe plants range from beautiful tropical vegetation to dry grasslands, with a number of medicinal and edible plants including aloe, herbs, banana and other fruit trees. Vegetation includes indigenous woodland and riverine vegetation, with key wetlands also found in and around the city. A number of rare plant species can be found at the Wildlife Center.

Religion

Lilongwe religion groups include:
• Christianity
• Islam
• Judaism
• Rastafarism
• Hinduism
• Baha'ism
• Traditional beliefs

Safety Tips

• Lilongwe is generally very safe to visit but travellers should take basic precautions to ensure a fuss-free holiday
• Petty crime can sometimes occur so keep valuables secure and out of sight
• Avoid large crowds and street demonstrations which may turn violent
• Be wary of market scams when buying curios ' some ‘ebony’ carvings can be wood painted with black shoe polish!
• Be cautious when visiting the Wildlife Center and do not try to touch or feed any wildlife you see

Transport

Lilongwe local transport includes:
• Car
• Bus
• Taxi

Travel Books

Lilongwe recommended travel books include:
• Malawi Bradt Travel Guide 4th Edition by Philip Briggs and Mary-Anne Bartlett
• Lonely Planet Malawi by David Else
• Spectrum Guide to Malawi by Kelly White
• Shifting Boundaries: Social Security in the Urban Fringe of Lilongwe City, Malawi by Barbara Rohregger

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in Malawi

What To Buy

• Good, sturdy backpack plus a decent moneybag
• First aid box filled with basic supplies
• Lilongwe city guide plus a good map of the city
• Plug adapter for UK and US visitors
• Sleeping bag and camping mattress if you are on an overland tour

What To Pack

• Loose, lightweight clothing with long sleeves for mosquito protection
• Long skirts and shirts covering shoulders for women
• Warm jacket for colder days
• Sunglasses, sunhat and sunscreen
• Camera, batteries, spare film or memory card and binoculars

When To Go

• July is the coolest month of the year
• The dry season runs from early May to late October
• The best month is August, but this is also the busiest time as schools are on holiday during this month
• The best months for birding are October and November, however this is also the hottest and wettest time
• Roads are almost impassable during the wet season

Wildlife

With a large and beautiful game reserve in the form of Lilongwe Wildlife Center, Lilongwe wildlife includes a number of primates, lion, hyena, leopard and other species ' many of which have been rescued from zoos or poachers. There are also a number of insects in Lilongwe, including beautiful butterflies, plus a large number of brightly coloured lizards and other reptiles.