Lakeside
Living
What
to wear
Beach resorts are very informal, but even though the old dress
code for which Malawi was infamous has long been abandoned, it
is well to remember that Malawian are very conventional, even
conservative, people and to respect local customs and traditions
when visiting villages and markets.
Light clothing is essential. You won't need to make a fashion
statement, but you will need to feel comfortable when the temperature
rises - and it drops. Business meetings are usually more formal
and those combining work with pleasure should keep this in mind.
Long sleeved shirts and light trousers help to keep the mosquitoes
at bay in the evenings. Take a jersey for cool weather and the
late nights - especially when visiting the highlands. A hat, sun
block and comfortable walking shoes are essential. Remember any
medication that you use regularly (other medical recommendations
are discussed later), contact lens fluid and insect repellent.
What else
to take
Lots of reading material if you are not going to be near the city
bookshops in Blantyre and Lilongwe. Binoculars for birders. Camera,
spare batteries and film. Transparency (slide) film is very difficult
to find in Malawi and while developing facilities for negative
(print) film remain inferior to those abroad, it is best to save
your exposed films - in a cool place for processing back home.
Malawi uses the British 3 pin square plug and a 240 volt supply
so take adaptors and transformers where necessary
