Archive for the ‘Malawi’ Category

Malawi Visa Requirements

Visas to Malawi; Complete guide to visa application to Malawi, Who Requires A Visa to Malawi, Malawi Tourist and Travel Visa Requirements, Time Required For Visa Processing – Visa Issuing Authorities in Malawi
Just like other sovereign nations, a Visa is a mandatory requirement for anyone traveling to Malawi, including children. One should ensure its possession before planning to enter Malawi unless exempted. Visitors from other countries are advised to check current applicable visa fee/visa extension fees with their local embassies in their respective countries or contact the issuing authorities in Malawi before their visit.
Visa Application Requirements
– Correctly filled-out application form
– Two (2) recent passport size photos
– Passport valid for 6 months with at least two blank pages
– Fee, payable by cash, postal order or banker’s draft (cheques are not accepted)
– Proof of sufficient funds to cover applicant’s expenses for the duration in the country.
Note: All visitors to Malawi must be in possession of return tickets (or funds in lieu) and sufficient funds to support themselves. The granting of a visa is not a guarantee of entry.
Passport holders of the following countries DO NOT need visas when traveling to Malawi
Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominica, Fiji, Finland, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Isles, South Africa, Swaziland, Sweden, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, USA, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
NOTE: All nationals from countries not included above DO REQUIRE a visa to Malawi.
VISA TYPES
Tourist Visa
– Original, signed passport valid for 6 months beyond stay, with at least one blank visa page available for visa stamp(s)
– Two (2) visa application forms per applicant properly completed and signed. Signature must be original on each application and match the signature in the passport. Inappropriately filled-out forms may delay the processing of your visa.
– Two (2) recent 2 x 2 passport type photographs, in color, front view and with a white background.
– Proof of sufficient funds to cover applicant’s expenses for the duration in the country.
– The applicant must have confirmed return or onward tickets as well as documents required for their next destination.
Business Visa
– Original, signed passport valid for 6 months beyond stay, with at least one blank visa page available for visa stamp(s)
– Two (2) visa application forms per applicant properly completed and signed. Signature must be original on each application and match the signature in the passport. Inappropriately filled-out forms may delay the processing of your visa.
– Two (2) recent 2 x 2 passport type photographs, in colour, front view and with a white background.
– Evidence of adequate funds to cover applicant’s expenses while in the country
– Computer generated flight itinerary from the airline or a travel agency or copy of airline ticket.
– The applicant must have confirmed return or onward tickets as well as documents required for their next destination.
– A letter of invitation from host party in Malawi explaining the relationship to the applicant and the purpose of travel. The letter must state the duration of stay, place of stay, and contact details.
– Letter from employer or sponsor, on company letterhead, introducing the applicant, indicating the applicant’s employment status with the company also stating the purpose of visit. The business letter must also indicate who will be financially responsible for the applicant.
Note: Nationals that are exempted from a Visa requirement do not require a Business Visa.
Transit Visa
– Original, signed passport valid for 6 months beyond stay, and with at least one blank visa page available for stamp(s)
– Proof of departure by an onward airline ticket.
– Valid onward destination visas (if applicable).
– Applicants must hold a visa or a permit for permanent or temporary residence for final destination.
For visa processing in Namibia contact the following address;
–Malawian Embassies and High Commissions
Processing Period
Visa applications are processed on Mondays only from 11:00hrs to 15:00hrs
Collection of visas is on Thursdays from 11:00hrs to 15:00hrs
Closed on Malawian Public Holidays
Important Notices
– Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travelers are advised to liaise with their embassy or consulate for any other new developments and updates before their Malawi travel. This also makes the process of applying for a visa a lot simpler.
– Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
– Applicants must have confirmed return or onward tickets as well as documents required for their next destination.
– Check with your travel agent or airline in case you have connecting flights overseas as part of your journey to Malawi. It may require a separate transit visa en-route Malawi.

Malawi Vacations

Book Flexible Trips to Malawi: Customize Vacation Packages to Malawi, Malawi Luxury Vacations and Malawi Holiday Itineraries. Travel to Malawi Your Way, There is Plenty to immerse yourself in on a Malawi Vacation
Malawi is a many-sided country perfectly blended with several natural wonders. Malawi beckons to have a taste of its world amazement. Malawi tours are an excellent way to discover this Southern Africa country tucked between Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast and Mozambique. Your family will be happy to visit an overseas country during the vacation. Malawi vacation packages explore a land of enchanted treasures. Vacations to Malawi can be a lot of fun, provided you choose the appropriate travel agent. Your tour agent should offer expert guidance and make your Malawi travel experience a pleasant and memorable one.
MALAWI VACATION PACKAGES
Discover our vacation packages that encompass the stunning scenic and cultural delights of this unique country.
Malawi Safari Vacations
Malawi safari vacations traverse a land wrought with wildlife splendours. The Malawi tour operators have taken note of most nature enthusiasts’ interest visiting the country and customised safari tour itineraries that match most expectations. Malawi safaris visit the well-known national parks including Nyika National Park, Liwonde National Park, Kasungu National Park and Lengwe National Park.
Malawi Honeymoons & Romance
Honeymoon packages in Malawi are expertly tailored to offer rich experiences for the honeymoon clientele for whom they were created. Greet the nature; enjoy bird tweeting; wind-blowing, wave-lapping on the beach while walking hand-in-hand with your most loved person. If you are looking for an ideal private and romantic escape, Malawi honeymoon packages include carefully chosen Malawi hotels from the 5 star luxuries such as Protea Hotel Malawi to discount romantic accommodations. Book and enjoy the pleasures of complete relaxation for your honeymoon in Malawi.
Adventure Vacations
Malawi vacations are once-in-a-lifetime adventures that will leave you in awe of the country’s beauty. For those travelers who fancy venturing out, some of the most popular activities out here include climbing Mount Mulanje, Viphya Plateau – a must visit for bird watchers; canoeing, abseiling and rock climbing in Luwawa Dam, game drives to Liwonde National Park, fishing enthusiasts can go game fishing on Lake Malawi. Lake Malawi also attracts boaters, water skiers and snorkelers to its clear. With this plenty at hand, Malawi is not just a place worth visiting…it’s a place worth exploring again, and again
Malawi Resort Vacations
Malawi has one of the most beautiful beaches in Southern Africa. Visitors to Malawi beaches and are of many different backgrounds. Some are on their honeymoon and are in Africa for the first time; others are adventurists who barely unpack their bags before leaving on their next trip. For those that have traveled here know that the beauty of this untouched place makes for one of the best vacations in the region. Malawi resort vacations are offered in ranges of Budget Resort vacations, First Class Resort Vacations to Deluxe resort vacations
Cultural / Heritage Vacation Tours
Malawi vacations offer a unique cultural experience. You’ll learn about the Malawians way of life, religion and the artistic architectural drive that has influenced Malawi’s many famous buildings and monuments. Most travel in Malawi will entail some element of cultural experience. A visit to say a local village can easily be arranged at most lodges or hotels. On one Malawi tour, you might see Nkhotakota a sight of great historical significance in Malawi.
Family Vacations
Most family vacation holiday in Malawi are centred in the country’s most celebrated and sought-after destinations particularly the city of Blantyre, Mangochi and Zomba. Art-connoisseurs enjoy precious moment hanging around Dedza, where artistic skills are displayed in their full glory. Lake Malawi is always crowded with ardent water sports lovers. Must visit resort beaches around Lake Malawi are too ideal for a family holiday. You’ll also have amazing opportunities in Malawi to savour the spicy dishes with your family. Vacationers with kids should consider those packages that are specifically designed for family travel. Family beach vacations are more appropriate.
Choice of Vacation Tip
Review and compare individual available vacation packages for specific information, and contact local agents to ensure that you select a Malawi vacation destination that is right for you. Good planning and attention to detail is required. Book your ideal vacation of choice through Malawi vacation specialists.

Kasungu National Park

Safari information to Kasungu National Park, Kasungu Safaris, Accommodation available, Facilities, Wildlife and Bird varieties in Kasungu National Park; Miombo woodland
Established in 1970, Kasungu National Park is the second largest in Malawi. It is located west of Kasungu, about 170 km north of Lilongwe on the western border with Zambia. Spread more than 2,316 square kilometres in a horse shoe shape, the park presents rich and diverse vegetation dominated by the Miombo woodland sheltering amazing wildlife.
First declared a forest reserve in1922, and later gazetted as a game reserve in 1930, Kasungu Park was at one time known for its significant population of elephants (numbering to over 2,000 in 1970), but it is now estimated as 150 head. There has seen a hasty deterioration in the wildlife here attributed to poaching.
Some of the wildlife which was once resident in the park includes Cheetah, Black Rhinoceros, giraffe and side striped jackal.
Despite these threats, the park still remains a prime spot for wildlife expedition, wildlife tourism, nature safari, and adventure tourism for Malawi safaris.
VEGETATION

The vegetation consists mainly of Miombo Woodland with grassy river channels, known locally as Dambos.
Miombo woodland interspersed with sandy plains and a number of rivers meandering through the park particularly the tributaries of Rivers Lingadzi and Dwanga which also are vital reproduction and resident spots for hippos in the whole Park.
TOPOGRAPHY

Kasungu National Park has a rolling landscape of approximately 1,000m above sea level with isolated inselbergs (Wango’mbe Rume) rising up to 1,330m. These hilly regions areas are the grassy dambo areas that offer good grazing for most wildlife.

Kasungu Hippo

Kasungu Bird

WILDLIFE
The Kasungu Park, one of the best wildlife safari destinations of Malawi, is widely acclaimed for a significant population of elephants. There are about 150 elephants in the park. Other commonly seen animals resident in the jungles of Kasungu include buck such as Eland, Sable, Roan, Hippos, Hyenas, Kudus, Zebras, Buffaloes, Impalas and Hartebeests. The predator animals especially Leopards and Lions are rarely seen. The elusive Painted Dog is sighted but very rare. Watching these wild animals roaming within the jungles of the Park on game drives is a unique exciting and cheerful experience. Also a buffer zone stretching about 5km is designated on the park’s eastern border.
BIRD LIFE

There are numerous species of eye-catching sunbirds found in the Brachystegia woodlands. The miombo woodlands are great habitats for a wide variety of birds in Kasungu. And the major birds that are found are Curved bills, Solitary Souza’s shrikes, Whyte’s barbets, the blue-head weaver, Stierling’s woodpecker, etc. the green headed and Oustalet’s sunbirds are also common species.
Bird watching in Kasungu National Park is best during the summer months from June to September when significant numbers migrate to the park.

Some of the Rare species found in Kasungu

GETTING THERE
Getting to park is principally by road. It is 2hrs drive from Lilongwe city, branching off to Kasungu-Boma Route.
BEST TIME TO VISIT

Most years the park is closed during March, during the wet season. The park is warm from the months of September to May and cooler from June to August.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS

- Stone and Iron Age sites
– Ancient Rock Paintings
SAFARI ACTIVITIES
Game Drives
This is the most preferred way to enjoy the jungle beauty and wildlife attractions of Kasungu. Exploring the jungle in open jeep is a cheerful for the safari visitors in the park. Enjoy watching the hippos around Lingadzi and Dwanga Rivers.
Bird Watching
- This is best during the summer months from June to September when significant numbers migrate to the park. Binoculars and sun protectors are highly essential for best birding. The best spot in Kasungu National Park for birding particularly for the brightly coloured sunbirds are the Brachystegia woodlands.

Malawi Tours

Discover Malawi and experience its amazing landscapes, wildlife and extraordinary birdlife on Malawi vacation tours. Guideforafrica offers a wide selection of guided and self-guided Malawi tours and with expert advice on where to go.
Commonly known as the warm heart of Africa, Malawi has something to offer to all of its guests. It is one of the most attractive and beautiful countries in Africa, it is well-known among those who seek adventure, eco-tourism and leisure while holidaying. The scenery of Malawi is diverse and elegant and the people of the country are extremely friendly with the tourists.
OUR RECOMMENDED VACATION TOURS IN MALAWI
Blantyre
Tours – Blantyre, located in the southern part of Malawi, is regarded as the centre of commerce and business in the country. The city boasts several interesting spots for sightseeing which you can enjoy visiting to with your family members or friends whenever you come here. Some of the fascinating tourist sights that you’ll be able to include in your itinerary each time you embark on holiday tours in Blantyre entail visiting the famous Mandala House home of the La Caverna Art Gallery and café in Blantyre. While on your vacation tour to Blantyre, visit Michael’s and All Angels that was built in the year 1891. Those who have special interest for history, art and culture can visit the lovely National Museum where you can see the historical displays. After seeing all that, take a drive up Soche Hill to feast on the impressive view. The tourist attractions in Blantyre can easily be seen in about six hours but you can also go for conservation trails to sites such as Mount Mulanje, the Zomba Plateau or the Michiru Mountain Conservation Area.
Lilongwe
Tours – This, the Malawian capital, is renowned for the Old Town, home to market stalls, quaint cafés and restaurants and the New City, which houses embassy offices and shops. Despite being a capital city, this area features its own share of scenic landscapes and culture with its numerous wildlife reserves and winding rivers. Near Lilongwe is Dezda, a town with local artists and craftsmen that create pottery and woodcarvings and in addition a interesting cultural museum.
Lake Malawi Tours
– probably the most famous of Malawi’s tourist attractions, Lake Malawi is also know as also known as Lake Nyassa and ‘Livingstone’s Lake’ (after famous explorer David Livingstone). It is the most southerly lake in the Great African Rift Valley. The lake, about 560 km long and with a total area of nearly 30 000 sq km, is bordered by Mozambique, Malawi, and Tanzania and is a source of territorial dispute between Malawi and Tanzania. Lake Malawi is home to a greater variety of indigenous species of fish than any other lake in the world, making it very popular among scuba divers and snorkellers.
Mulanje Rock Climbing
: Mulanje is a premier rock climbing and hiking destination which offers some of the most spectacular scenic beauties in the country. It covers an area of 640,000 hectares with several individual peaks reaching heights of over 2500m, including Chambe Peak, the West Face of which is the longest rock climb in Africa. There is a Forest Reserve with a diverse range of ecological zones from rainforest to alpine, with a very rich range of habitant endemic plant and animal life. It also has an impressive waterfall, deep gorges and trout streams are seen in the midway. There are many hiking and rock climbing packages tours for tourists. Mulanje Rock Climbing involves the trekkers using natural features of the rock formation and a chalk bag.
Zomba Plateau Tours
: The Zomba plateau is situated 900 meters above the Zomba city and is a good place to visit when staying in holiday rentals in Malawi. It is covered by verdant grasslands and evergreen forests. It inhabits blue monkeys, epiphytic orchids and rare montane forest birds. The Mulunguzi Dam is ideal for fishing and hiking, and the botanical gardens and the traditional market of Africa are the major points of interest in the Zomba city.
Malawi
Wildlife Tours: Most travellers to Southern Africa favour the outstanding scenery which can be found in Malawi. In the south of this rich land you can find the Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River, perhaps two of Africa’s main highlights. Liwonde National Park found 160 km north of Blantyre and approximately 60km north of Zomba, is one of the most scenic and most game-rich national parks in Malawi. It is home to many wild animals native to Africa such as elephants, buffalo, zebra, lions and leopards and is a great way to see and appreciate the wildlife of Africa. The National Park also has walking Safaris and night drives to fully understand the value of such animals. Other destinations for wildlife tours in Malawi are Lengwe National Park, Kasungu National Park, Lake Malawi National Park and Nyika National Park.
SPECIAL MALAWI HOLIDAY TOURS

Malawi Family holidays
Special offer holidays
Tailor made holidays
Volunteer travel holidays
Adventure holidays
Bed and breakfast holidays
Budget travel holidays
Cultural tours holidays
Wilderness holidays
Honeymoon ideas holidays
Hotels holidays
Luxury travel holidays
Special Interest holidays
Wildlife holidays
Overland tours holidays
Malawi Safaris holidays
Self catering holidays
Private holidays
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