Malawi is becoming well known for the number of activities it can offer visitors. Wildlife and game viewing in the national parks are especially attractive to those wanting to experience trekking and viewing in entirely natural surroundings without tarred roads filled with convoys of 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Malawi has nine national parks and wildlife reserves but six are especially recommended for visitors. There are also many attractive and accessible forest reserves. All the parks and reserves are uncrowded and give visitors an excellent experience of unspoilt wilderness.

118,484 sq km (45,747 sq miles).

12 million (UN estimate 2003).

649 per sq km.

Lilongwe. Population: 597,619 including suburbs (2003). Blantyre-Limbe, with a population of 646,235 (2003) is the largest city in the country.

Republic since 1966. Gained independence from the UK in 1964.

The national language is the widely spoken Chichewa but the official language, and that of the business community, is English.

80% are Christian, 13% Muslim, 7% follow traditional beliefs and there is a small Hindu minority.

GMT + 2.

Despite the large number of tribal backgrounds in the Malawi population, integration is well established and visitors need not be aware of any social differences. The white population is very small in number. There are some religious differences, most noticeable among the Muslim population and especially as far as alcohol consumption is concerned. Malawians place emphasis on the importance of shaking hands on meeting and departing. The special handshake, which includes grasping the thumb and putting the other hand on the forearm, is best avoided unless practised. Children and some women may curtsey as a greeting or if being made a presentation. Offering a soft drink to a visitor is common at meetings. Malawians tend to be conventional rather than casual in their dress, especially in formal gatherings. The strict dress code of Dr Banda’s days are gone but modest dress should be worn unless at the beach or playing sport.

230 volts AC, 50Hz. The standard plug is square three-pin.

President Bingu Wa Mutharika since 2004.