What to pack for Malawi

Luggage and bags: When going to Malawi, dont forget to take some pens, T-shirts and sweets for the kids.
Eveywhere you pass kids will shout and ask for sweets or pens.
We toke a whole bag of stuff and it was worth it. It is great to see how the kids appreciate these simple items.

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

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: 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!

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: 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!

Photo Equipment: 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!

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: 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.

Miscellaneous: - Small torch or a head lamp, as power cut offs not unusual
- power adapter plug if you are not using English plugs
- a small drain plug can be useful, as they are missing everywhere
- loads of patience when ordering food

Luggage and bags: Backpack , insect repellent, dont worrie bout mossie nets , there everywhere you go and a day pack

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: sandals or thongs and a good pair of joggers or shoes

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Id take all your basic toiletries plus insect repellent and malaria tablets for prevention and the ones to cure malaria lithium etc

Photo Equipment: whateva you wish

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: If camping light tent mossienets and bed roll.

Miscellaneous: torch, towel mossie coils candles books for reading .

Luggage and bags: Rucksack is best as it is the most versatile.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: A waterproof jacket, and some Teva type sandles.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Lots of insect repellant and it might be a good idea to take an emergency first aid kit, containing your own needles.

Photo Equipment: Away from the large towns it is very hard to find film, so it is a good idea to stock up where you can, or take enough to begin with.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: A mosquito net is essential, as there are some great places to camp on the beach, particularly at Chitimba and Senga Bay. If you are doing an organized tour then the company will probably supply one.

Miscellaneous: A water bottle for when you go walking.

Luggage and bags: Unless your are not travelling with an expensive tourist company, you will have to walk and there for bring a good bag pack and a day pack.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Boots are made for walking and due to the limited publik transport in some areas of Malawi it´s important to walk quite a bit. There for you need good shoes! Don´t think about saving money by buying cheap shoes.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Malawi is a high risk Malaria area. So make precausions and check right in time (at home!) what else you should do.

The medical situation is very poor. In rural districts there is nearly no medical service.
Bring all the basic staff you need. Bush hospitals are more or less only places to die! Bring needles in case you need an injection. Don´t expect hospitals to have new needles. Often needles were sharpend up again and HIV is widely spread! You know what it means!

If you want to have sex with locals use condoms and bring them from home!

Photo Equipment: Bring everything you need! Only in bigger cities like Lilongwe and Blantyre photo equipment is availabale! Slide films are seldom!