Excellent fish dishes are widely available but especially near Lake Malawi. Most hotels and safari camps serve "western" dishes with, perhaps, game and, occasionally, local foods such as maize meal porridge. Soft drinks are available everywhere but bottle caps should be checked to ensure there has been no re-filling. Beers (Carlsberg is the most common), spirits such as Malawi gin and South African wines are reasonably priced and commonly available.

For most people the dry (winter) season is most attractive (i.e. April/May to October/November). However, some of the best birdwatching can be had from November to April and the orchids of Nyika are best seen from December to March/April.

The Malawi unit of currency is the kwacha (abbreviated to MK internationally; K locally). The kwacha is divided into 100 tambala. Practically speaking, only the kwacha is used. Banks in the towns are open weekdays from 0800 to 1300. Mobile banks operate along the Lakeshore and in more remote areas (check days/times locally). Travellers Cheques or foreign (hard) currency notes are widely accepted. Avoid black market currency traders. There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency brought into Malawi but it must be declared and accounted for on departure. Only MK200 may be exported.

The telephone system is not entirely reliable. Most hotels and offices are readily reached by e-mail. The international telephone code for Malawi is 265. All Malawi landline numbers are now 8 digit, beginning 01. The 0 is dropped if dialing in from abroad. Coverage for mobile phones used to be restricted to the main towns, but is now gradually increasing. The postal system tends to be slow. DHL is the major international courier operating in Malawi.

Jan 1, 15; March 3; May 1; June 14; July 6; 2nd Monday in October; Dec 25, 26. Also: Good Friday and Easter Sunday. If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then the next Monday becomes a holiday. Muslim festivals may be celebrated especially in the Northern Region and along Lake Malawi.

Dress is generally informal but some hotel restaurants may require men to wear ties. Swimwear and very skimpy clothing should be confined to the beach resorts. For safaris, "natural " colours should be worn in preference to light/bright colours. In the uplands, especially in the winter months April to September, it can be cool in the evening and sweaters may be needed. It can be very cold on an early morning safari drive.
Dressing for dinner is rarely necessary, though the top Blantyre restaurants may insist upon a tie for men.

Malawi is considered a safe country and Malawians are rightfully known for their friendliness. However, the usual precautions should be taken as would be advised for any tourist anywhere.

Immunisation against polio, tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis is recommended. Yellow fever immunisation is required only by visitors entering Malawi from a yellow fever zone. There is a risk of malaria and prophylactics should be taken. Seek up to date advice from your doctor. There is a risk of contracting bilharzia if bathing in Lake Malawi but the risk is negligible near the main beach hotels. The infection is relatively easily treated once diagnosed. Malawi is a high risk area for AIDS

Film is best brought into the country but care should be taken to keep exposed and, especially, unexposed film cool. Most Malawians will not mind being photographed but it is common courtesy to ask permission first.

A Malawian TV service was set up for the first time in 1999. In addition, many city centre hotels receive international satellite channels. There are English language radio broadcasts but little of interest to the foreign traveller.