Malawi Packing Lists

Standard baggage but nothing particularly fancy, so it does not catch the attention of any potential thieves.

Bring hiking boots & sneakers for durability and comfort...you won't want to miss out on the hiking/walking! There are mountains to explore, and tea and coffee plantations to stroll, and safari adventures! Depending on the season (cold or hot), bring appropriate clothes. For hot weather, bring lighter clothes with fabrics that allow your skin to breathe, like a light cotton. For cold weather, bring clothes you can layer - long-sleeve tops like turtlenecks, sweaters, and a thick jacket because it does snow in the mountains (i.e. Mount Kilimanjaro) & bring a lighter one for warmer weather. Also, as I mentioned in the cultural tips, ladies should bring sufficient skirts / dresses that are of very modest in length (the longer the more acceptable). Women are NOT ALLOWED to wear shorts / pants (maybe only at their own residence), especially in public areas. These clothes are banned for women and a friend of ours was asked to change clothes from the moment she arrived at the airport! Reason behind it all? No clue!

Bring your own basic toiletries and definitely a basic medical supply kit because if you are in a rural area, a good clinic might be a bit far. Also, bring your own bottled water (as much as you are willing to bring / carry!) for safety purposes - you do NOT want to catch hepatitis (add that to the possible illness list) or any other disease caused by infected water. If you run out of water, I would advise that you not only bring a filter unit but also bring a bit of bleach to chlorinate your water, to be sure (I hear there are purifier tablets as well). During rainy season, the faucet / pump water is brown. More than likely, a good hotel will have fairly good water (I don't recommend drinking the tap water) to bathe and wash in, but if you are in a rural area, carry plenty of your own distilled / bottled water!

Bring whatever you want, but like I also mentioned in the local customs tip, do NOT take pictures of / at funerals and definitely not the deceased! It is offensive and also prohibited (with possible jail time). Otherwise, take plenty of shots of the nature and landscapes, and of yourselves!

Bring standard camping gear and remember to bring good hiking clothes & shoes! Avoid leaving out open food, as wild animals (anything from babboons to hyenas & lions, etc.) can be very brave - you don't want any of them to visit your campsite, or much less the inside of your tent, right? Be watchful of snakes as well. Shake your gear and clothes from time to time.

Malawi Packing Lists

Visiting Malawi?

Visiting Malawi?