Infrastructure

AIRPORTS
Malawi’s main airport is Kamuzu International Airport (LLW) which lies 12 miles north of Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe and is the main hub for Malawi’s new national airline, Malawi Airlines.

The commercial capital Blantyre is home to Chileka International Airport (BLZ), a more regional airport for those flying in from southern Africa.

Flights to and from Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia operate several times a week.

BUS & ROAD NETWORK
Visitors to Malawi may find it strange that most residents do not know the names of the roads and streets in their towns and cities. Navigation is generally by way of ‘landmarks’ which may be a shop, a church, a building, a suburb or natural feature. Whilst the ‘natives’ do not find it difficult it is extremely puzzling for the newcomer.

The Malawian road network provides easy access to most areas of Malawi. For visitors there are a number of hire car operators to choose from (but we hope that you enquire with Jambo Africa first).

A number of new bus operators, with the purchase of new fleets, have improved public transport situation to such an extent that bus travel with varying degrees of comfort, depending upon route and the budget of the traveller, is now becoming once again viable, safe and reliable form of personal transport to most popular destinations. Inter-city coaches provide non-stop and fast services. For the adventurous the fastest and most flexible form of transport remains the minibus, both within cities and on inter-city routes. However, visitors from countries where life is considered to be of greater value should be warned that the safety record of minibuses, especially on the longer (therefore faster) routes remains much to be desired. Recently a revision of seating capacity from 4 to 3 abreast has ensured that there is less overcrowding. Many minibus operators attempt to avoid compliance which only vociferous opposition by passengers will overcome.

Coach and bus services are available between Blantyre and Zimbabwe; Blantyre and South Africa; Lilongwe and Zambia; Lilongwe and Tanzania.

Public road transport is cheap by international standards. The visitor should keep that in mind when comparing the facilities offered. For the traveller wishing to travel on from main bus stops or terminals there may be a choice of minibus or taxi. Taxis come in all shapes, sizes, ages and conditions. Fares are negotiable. Care should be taken to select a vehicle in good condition and to negotiate the fare BEFORE departure. In the more remote areas, the only form of linking transport is the bicycle taxi and matola (goods vehicles or pick-ups which illegally carry passengers). Bicycle taxis are relatively cheap and readily available, but are warned, it is not the most comfortable mode of transport!

TRAIN
Travel by train is not generally a viable option except for the desperate.

TELEPHONE
The only fixed-line telephone service is provided by the formerly state-owned Malawi Telecommunication company Ltd (MTL). Now privatised, it is making efforts to improve its standards of service and reliability and to increase its subscriber base which has been surpassed by the mobile operations. In some areas it has suffered break-downs due to cable theft. Fixed line call charges are considerably cheaper than mobile calls. MTL offers a CDMA (wireless) service which it terms ‘liberty phone’ charged at the same rate as its regular service.

Access is a new fixed /mobile network provider and has been operational for a few years and is making great strides in increasing its coverage.

Gsm (mobile) services are provided by two operators Airtel (formerly Zain) and TNM. Both providers provide prepaid and post-paid facilities. Sim cards and airtime can be obtained almost anywhere in the country.

INTERNET
There are a number of internet service providers (ISPs). ‘broadband’ is offered but not yet at the speeds available in most developed countries. Wireless hotspots are available at airports, business centres and in some hotels and tourist resorts. Internet cafes are to be found in most business areas. The broadband providers are Skyband, Globe Internet, Broadband Digital Solutions, Softnet Broadband (v-sat).

WATER
Water is provided in Blantyre and Lilongwe by state-owned eponymous water boards, Blantyre suffers from frequent localised water outages. Blantyre, which draws its water from the shire river, experiences problems at the pumps due to heavy silt loads during the rainy season. Lilongwe, being a fairly new city with modern facilities, does not suffer these problems to the same degree. In other cities and urban centres water is provided by the state-owned regional water boards.

ELECTRICTY
The electrical supply is 220-230 volts single phase or 380-400 volts 3-phase. Plugs for appliances are the square 3-pin British pattern. The sole national supplier is the state-owned electricity supply corporation of Malawi (ESCOM). Virtually all of the electricity is generated at a number of hydro-electrical sites on the shire river.