safety in malawi

1

Hi there,
In brief, there are few countries that would be safer. I'm not suggesting that Malawi is not without problems, but the general population are polite, courteous and helpful. The Scottish missionaries made it to Nyasaland (the pre-colonial name) early, and the Chinanja and Chichewe people took to the slightly dour Scottish calvanism like ducks to water! I have been in and out of Malawi over a very long period and was most recently there four or five months ago, it hasn't changed. In between I have known ex-patriates from Nyasaland / Malawi who have travelled abroad to work or study and can honestly say that they have all been thoroughly pleasant and utterly trustworthy people. I repeat that I may have been lucky, but I think that if you take reasonable care you two women should be fine together, alone (if you know what I mean).
While in Malawi, do - I repeat 'do' - go to Mulanje and do do a trek there. Reliable, honest and pleasant guides who are all registered are met at the forest station near Mulanje (turn left off the main tarmac road at the Pizzeria - and have a meal there too!); the forest station is clearly signposted about six miles down a good dirt road.
Ndlovu

2

Hi Ndlovu,

thanks for all the info! You certainly aren't alone in saying that Malawi locals are warm and helpful to tourists... so I think we will hire a car and travel that way. We will be joining a tour group after that so nice to have some independence whilst it's possible. Yes I have been researching Mulanje so thanks for the thoughts on that. Also keen to do the horse trek in Nyika... looks stunning. This is an ignorant question, but we then want to fly to Namibia from Malawi... is that possible?

Thanks again for the reply,
Dana & Jo

3

Loved Malawi, loved the people; was there a year ago, teaching just out of Lilongwe....would go back in a heartbeat! Didn't have a chance to get up to Zomba Plateau, but it's beautiful..if you have time, check it out!

Lonna R. Lee

4

I just spent 3+ weeks in Malawi, and for part of that time we rented a car (2 females) We didn't have any huge problems other than the fact that after the first 3 days, the car wouldn't start - so we had to enlist the help of many villagers to help push start us. The car rental company (SS Rent-a-Car in Lilongwe) did nothiing to fix the situation and we were all the way down in Mulanje. Mostly it was just an inconvenience. We felt completely safe, but we did not drive after dark, and we made sure to get a 4WD vehicle - very important if you are going anywhere other than Lilongwe and Blantyre.

5

Just be careful about driving after dark (6pm). Lots of people, kids, dogs, goats wander around on the streets, you may spot one of them too late and cause a tragedy... also you won't be able to see potholes on time.
I don't know what the security is like with regards to robberies / hold-ups but I imagine the risk is higher after dark.

I'd also recommend to get a 4WD. For example on the road from Monkey Bay to Cape McLear the tyre tracks were so deep that the chassis of a normal car kept hitting the middle of the road (a bulge cause by the tracks on either side). (I got a ride with some people in a normal car. We felt lucky to have made it all the way to Cape McLear.)

If you want to get rid of unwanted attention from males, wear fake wedding rings and have stories ready about your 'husbands' who could not come on holiday with you because they could not get away from work or something... Fake boyfriends are not enough, husbands work better. (If you tell them about your 'boyfriend' they will simply say: "well he is not here, is he?" :-) )

Otherwise I found the Malawian people extremely friendly and helpful. I was often escorted all the way over after asking for directions, people walking with me for 10 minutes or more, without asking anything in return, just saying: "have a pleasant stay in my country!".

Photos and travelogue on my travel website.

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